Liam Goggin
Partner, Head of Abuse Claims
For free legal advice call our Abuse Claims Solicitors and we will help you. Ask about Legal Aid or if we can deal with your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis.
If you have suffered neglect or abuse (physical or sexual) due to the negligence of social services whilst in their care, you may have a claim against the local authority.
In certain circumstances, a claim could be made against the local authority for abuse by individuals that are not employed by social services such as a parent, another family member or a person visiting your home.
If you were neglected or abused by a foster carer you may be able to claim against the local authority who selected, placed and monitored the foster carer placement.
If you were neglected or abused in a school or children’s home a claim could be brought against the organisation or body responsible for the institution. In many cases this is the local authority.
We’re specialists in getting justice and compensation for people who were let down whilst in the care of their local authority. Our friendly and dedicated team of Abuse Solicitors are here to listen as soon as you’re ready to talk and we’ll tell you if you can make a claim for compensation.
You could qualify for Legal Aid, depending on your financial situation. If not, we could deal with your case on a No Win, No Fee basis.
If you were under the care of the local authority and suffered neglect or abuse, you could make a claim against them if they were legally responsible to protect you from harm.
Circumstances in which the local authority could be held responsible for the neglect or abuse are:
Other circumstances where claims could be made against the local authority including neglect or abuse that took place in foster homes, children’s homes, schools and other institutions.
The rules around whether the local authority can be held responsible can be quite complex. That’s why it’s important to speak to a specialist Abuse Solicitor who can advise you whether you have a claim.
Our expert team of Abuse Solicitors understand this extremely complex area of law and can make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible
We’ll always talk to you in clear, straightforward language, and we won’t use complex legal jargon
We’re members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) and we subscribe to its code of conduct
We’ll be upfront your legal costs in advance and talk you through a No Win, No Fee agreement.
We helped a 30-year-old man who’d been sexually abused at the age of 11 by a trainee social worker while living at a children’s home. The abuse had a lasting impact on him.
He self-harmed, suffered from depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and attempted to commit suicide.
But with the help of our Abuse Solicitors, he received a total of £50,000 in compensation.
Simpson Millar5 starsJust a note to say thank you to…
Just a note to say thank you to Nathalie !! You’ve been absolutely amazing, such a great support and you always show so much compassion. You are an expert in your field and it is very obvious that you...
Becky
Simpson Millar5 stars5 star service.
I’ve been working with Simpson Millar for 5 years on what has honestly has been an emotional roller coaster of a case. Both my solicitors Liam and especially Kate hall have been absolutely fantastic....
Mae Emilie
Simpson Millar5 starsNatalie Swanwick
Natalie has been working with claims for a while now, and she has been excellent in keeping me update and explaining thing so I can have a complete fully understanding of what is happening and going...
Karla Thomas
Simpson Millar5 starsNatalie Swanwick represented me in my…
Natalie Swanwick represented me in my claim for damages against a local authority from the start of her taking my case until the settlement she acted in a very professional but empathic and at times s...
Jue wilson
Simpson Millar5 starsI would like to thank tamsin Jacob and…
I would like to thank tamsin Jacob and keir for the support and hard work they put in to help me with my case I was always kept upto date with the progress, I would definitely recommend them to anyo...
Mark Oleary
Simpson Millar5 starsSolicitors for the people
I was kept informed of my case at every stage by the fantastic Mr Joshua Hirst the company are very approachable and friendly but also dealing with my case sensitively and securely,I couldn't ask for...
Mel
Simpson Millar5 starsExcellent service from Simpson Millar…
Excellent service from Simpson Millar from start to finish the advice that kate gave and the way she explained things was excellent Highly recommended
Lee Eccles
At Simpson Millar we want to help you. We are proud of our track record and the comments from our clients which is at the end of the day why we do the work we do. Watch our video about why you need a specialist solicitor to help you when making an abuse claim.
When you are ready to talk, we’ll speak to you confidentially about your experiences in the care of social services (local authority) to see if we can assist you to bring a claim. This initial consultation is free.
If we take on your case, we’ll investigate your claim and request relevant documents and records, including your social care records.
We may arrange an independent medical assessment with a medical expert. The expert will prepare a medical report outlining how the abuse has affected you and any treatment you need now and any future needs you may have.
We’ll provide details of your claim to the local authority and start negotiations for a fair and appropriate settlement that meets your needs and reflects what you’ve been through.
Most abuse cases don’t go to Court, but if it does, we’ll be here to advise you one step at a time. We’ll instruct a Barrister to advise on your claim and to represent you at court.
If the abuse occurred in childhood, you have until your 21st birthday to issue court proceedings in order to bring a claim for the abuse you suffered within time.
Importantly, it is well recognised that it often takes survivors of abuse a long time to talk about what happened to them. In some circumstances, the court can be persuaded to allow claims to proceed out of time.
Even if the abuse occurred many years ago, you may still be able to bring a claim and we can advise you whether we think we can persuade the court to allow you case to proceed out of time.
If the abuse occurred when you were an adult, you have 3 years from the date of the incident or period of abuse if there was more than a single incident.
When the abuse occurred there may also have been a breach of your human rights (under the Human Rights Act 1998) and a claim should be brought within one year of the breach
You may qualify for Legal Aid, depending on your financial circumstances. Alternatively, we could handle your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, which means if your claim is successful, some of your legal costs will be paid. You won’t pay anything if your claim is not successful.
If you have Legal Expenses Insurance this could cover your legal costs. You would usually buy this as an addition to a motor or home insurance policy.
Survivors of sexual abuse at York's prestigious Queen Ethelburga’s School, where child protection officer Alexander Charles Ralls committed numerous offenses, are urged to seek support. Ralls, convicted on various sexual assault charges, abused his position from 2011 to 2015. His conviction follows the jailing of the school’s former owner, Brian Martin, for similar crimes. Simpson Millar’s specialist Abuse Solicitors are assisting victims and encourage others affected to come forward.
Following the death of George Holden, a children's entertainer imprisoned for sexual abuse, victims of sexual abuse are encouraged to come forward for legal advice regarding compensation claims against his estate. Holden, from Chesterfield, was 88 when he received a 13-year sentence in November 2021 at Derby Crown Court for abusing two boys in the 1970s. Known as Georgie The Clown, he committed these crimes at various locations, including his home and Queen’s Park Leisure Centre. Derbyshire Police highlighted the extensive damage Holden caused, noting his previous convictions for similar offenses in the 1960s and 1980s.
Hywel Thomas discusses the need to change workplace culture to stop abuse. He mentions many cases of sexual harassment and assault in different jobs like fast food, TV, retail, health, and government. There's a common problem of hiding these issues and not helping victims.
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