Abuse Claim Advice and Support From Thompsons
Our specialist solicitors are part of the Life Impact Team at Thompsons and are committed to representing those with major lifelong injuries. They represent survivors of sexual, physical and mental abuse and have received specialist training to do so. Our team operates with a trauma-informed approach and place their clients at the heart of their abuse compensation claim.
We act for, and with, survivors to handle their civil financial compensation claims against:
- Private boarding schools
- Children's homes
- Hospitals
- Individuals
- Local authorities
- Religious orders
- Schools
- Sports clubs
- Scout groups and membership organisations
Even if the abuse occurred years ago or the person who abused you is no longer alive, you may still be able to claim compensation. We can also help if the police or the COPFS are not pursuing proceedings against your abuser. Contact Thompsons to find out if we can assist you in obtaining justice through a civil claim.
Types of Abuse Compensation Claims
Claims for compensation for abuse in Scotland can arise from many different situations including:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Childhood abuse,
- Institutional abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Historic abuse going back years or even decades.
Some survivors experienced a single incident, while others endured repeated abuse over many months or years. No matter the type of abuse you have suffered, contact our team to help you make a claim.
Civil Claims and CICA Applications
There are two avenues to securing compensation for abuse in Scotland. An individual or organisation allegedly responsible for, or not protecting from, abuse can be sued in a civil claim. Thompsons has initiated leading Court of Session actions in this area of law and secured the highest compensation award to date.
The alternative route is a CICA application which is made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, a government scheme for survivors of violent crime. Generally the abuse should be reported to the police, although a conviction is not necessary.
We will make sure you understand the claims procedure so you are aware of what is involved. We will respect your decision about whether to make a civil claim, a CICA application, or both.
How Thompsons Supports Survivors
Thompsons has worked on historical abuse claims for survivors for many years. Our dedicated team of lawyers, who work exclusively on these sensitive cases, are experts in this developing area of law. We understand that speaking out can be very difficult and distressing, but as Scotland's leading historical abuse lawyers we will guide and support you through your claim.
We appreciate that making a call to a solicitor can be a difficult and stressful thing to do for survivors of physical, mental and sexual abuse. That is why we have a dedicated team who are available to support anyone who contacts us. Our team of specialist solicitors are here to listen to you, advise you and help with any questions you may have. Any information you provide will be treated with the greatest sensitivity and with the strictest confidentiality.
We will immediately advise and give you our recommendations for action. With your permission, we will seek care records or social work records and relevant police records to help build a good case.
Thompsons deals with a significant number of historical abuse cases daily, covering a wide range of institutions and defendants. We have gained enough knowledge from these cases to build an extensive database of information that could support your case. You may bring someone with you to any meetings, and we are happy to speak to your counsellor or care worker if we have your consent.
We also work in conjunction with the Wellbeing Scotland charity, who offer a variety of support services for survivors, including specialist counselling. We can refer you to these organisations, whether or not you wish to pursue a claim. The counselling can be carried out either face-to-face or over the phone.
If your previous historical abuse claim was not successful, we may still be able to assist you as the law now allows those in your position to pursue their case again.
No Win No Fee: We will not ask for any money at the start to cover the costs of your claim. Thompsons works on a No Win No Fee policy, so we will not charge anything until your claim is resolved and you have achieved success. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay anything.
Your Privacy: We hold the privacy of our clients to be of the utmost importance. Where we are proceeding with a civil claim, it will be done so anonymously and you will not be named unless there is a solicitor or insurance company involved. If we are proceeding with court proceedings, we will ask the Court to anonymise your case so that your name will not be used in reports or newspapers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is one of the most common questions we receive. It may be possible for you to bring a claim, even if the abuse took place several years ago. Recent developments in Scots law mean that it is now possible to bring forward cases which were at one time considered time-barred.
It varies depending on your circumstances, the type of abuse and the severity, the effects on your life today and whether you decide to make a civil claim, a CICA application or both. Every case is unique. Contact us in confidence for guidance or try our compensation calculator.
In a civil claim, the compensation is paid by the person or organisation responsible for the injury, generally through their insurers. In a CICA application, the compensation is paid from government funds. In either case the process is confidential.
