If you were physically or sexually abused, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim — whatever your age now, and however long ago it happened. UK law recognises that survivors often take years, or decades, to come forward, and the legal time limits that apply to most personal injury claims work differently here. Adam Bernard Solicitors handles every enquiry in strict confidence, at your pace, and can act on a no win no fee basis where a claim is eligible.
Call 0207 100 2525 for a confidential conversation, or book a free consultation in person, by phone, or via video call. You can also reach out in writing first if that feels easier — contact us and we’ll respond in a way that works for you.
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Who Can Make a Claim?
A claim can generally be made against:
- An individual responsible for the abuse
- An institution — such as a school, care home, religious organisation, sports club, or employer — where it failed to protect you, knew or should have known of a risk, or where the individual responsible was acting in a role the institution gave them authority over
- Both, where appropriate
You don’t need the individual responsible to have been convicted of a criminal offence for a civil compensation claim to succeed. Civil claims are decided on a different, lower standard of proof than criminal cases, and can proceed independently of, before, during, or after any police or criminal investigation.
Time Limits: Why “Historic” Abuse Claims Are Still Possible
The standard three-year time limit for personal injury claims does not apply in the same way to abuse claims. Courts have wide discretion to allow a claim to proceed well beyond three years — including decades later — recognising that shame, fear, trauma, or simply not being ready are all legitimate reasons a survivor may not have come forward sooner. The court weighs factors including the reasons for the delay, the quality of evidence still available, and whether a fair hearing is still possible.
This means it’s worth getting advice even if you believe too much time has passed. Many successful claims are brought many years, and sometimes decades, after the abuse occurred.
Two Routes to Compensation
There are two main routes, and they aren’t mutually exclusive:
- A civil claim — brought against the individual or institution responsible, seeking compensation that reflects the harm caused and its ongoing impact on your life
- A claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) — a government scheme that can compensate victims of violent crime, including abuse, generally without needing to identify or pursue the person responsible directly, though CICA applications have their own, generally shorter, time limits
We can advise on whether one or both routes are available to you, and manage the process alongside you.
What Compensation Can Address
Compensation in an abuse claim isn’t only about the abuse itself — it’s about its ongoing impact on your life, which can include:
- General damages — recognising the harm and its psychological and emotional impact
- Therapy and treatment costs — past and future counselling, psychiatric support, or other treatment you’ve needed or may need
- Loss of earnings — where the impact has affected your ability to work, past or future
- Other practical losses — connected to your recovery and ongoing support needs
What to Expect From Working With Us
- Confidentiality throughout — your enquiry, and your case if you proceed, are handled with strict confidentiality; anonymity in any settlement or proceedings can often be preserved
- A free, unpressured initial conversation — to talk through what happened and what your options are, at whatever level of detail you’re comfortable with
- Support alongside the legal process — including help accessing therapeutic or medical support where you need it
- No win no fee, where your case is eligible, meaning no upfront legal cost to you
- You’re in control — of the pace, of how much detail you share and when, and of whether to proceed at any stage
Our Process
- Confidential initial contact — by phone, in person, video call, or in writing, whichever feels right for you
- A free, private consultation — to understand what happened and explain your options without obligation
- Case assessment — including advice on the civil claim and CICA routes, and realistic guidance on prospects and time limits
- No win no fee agreement, where appropriate
- We handle the process — gathering evidence, corresponding with the other side or CICA, and keeping you informed at every stage, at a pace that works for you
Why Choose Adam Bernard Solicitors?
- Our solicitors combine legal experience in abuse and institutional claims with a genuinely sensitive, patient approach
- A consistent track record of successful outcomes for our clients
- Every enquiry is treated in strict confidence
- Cases taken on a no win no fee basis wherever possible
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 598171, 656730)
- Offices in High Holborn, Central London and Upton Park, East London, with 24/7 phone contact and free video consultations
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is very common. Courts have discretion to allow abuse claims to proceed well beyond the standard time limits, and many claims succeed years or decades after the events in question.
No. A civil compensation claim can proceed independently of any police investigation or criminal case, though we can advise on how the two can work alongside each other if you choose to report.
Most claims settle without a public court hearing. Where court involvement is needed, anonymity can often be preserved. We'll talk you through exactly what to expect at every stage before anything happens.
A claim may still be possible against an institution that failed to protect you, or via the CICA scheme, which doesn't require you to bring a claim against the individual directly.
Initial consultations are free and confidential, and we take on eligible claims on a no win no fee basis, so there's no upfront legal cost to you.
That's completely fine. You can talk to us in confidence without any obligation to proceed, simply to understand your options and what the process would involve.
