Our team of expert personal injury solicitors specialise in physical and sexual child abuse claims in Manchester. We always put compassion at the centre of everything we do here at Farleys. Child abuse survivors often qualify for legal aid, but if you find that for whatever reason you don’t, then rest assured our team usually takes these claims on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Our top priority is to make sure that you feel as comfortable and secure as you can. At Farleys, we have more than six decades of experience behind us, so we understand exactly how difficult it can be for child abuse survivors to discuss the abuse they’ve endured. For that reason alone, we’ll never ask you to reveal all of the sensitive details until you’re ready to do so. When we sit down for our initial discussions with you, we’ll only ever ask you for enough information to determine if your child abuse claim in Manchester is likely to succeed.
Can I seek justice and compensation for child abuse in Manchester?
Yes, and we’re here to help you do just that at Farleys. As specialists in child abuse cases with decades of experience, we channel all of our passion, knowledge and expertise into securing justice for your child abuse claim in Manchester. You can expect our solicitors to be honest, straightforward, and empathetic at all times and to keep you informed of every legal option available to you at every stage of the process. The final decision on how to proceed will always be up to you; we won’t take any action without your permission or knowledge.
How long do I have to make a child abuse claim in Manchester?
The limitation period for child abuse, which is how long you have to file a claim, is technically three years. However, these timescales can be flexible depending on a multitude of factors, far more so than other legal areas. This is mainly because there’s an implicit understanding that child abuse survivors often find it incredibly difficult to speak out about the abuse they’ve endured. It’s understood that due to the nature of the claim, it isn’t unusual for people to wait years—or, in some cases, even decades—before they’re ready to speak about their experiences.
Some of the most common barriers include:
- Fear of not being believed
- Feelings of shame or guilt
- Fear of the abuser, especially after intimidation or explicit threats of violence
- Difficulty in articulating the nature or scale of the abuse
- Not understanding that what happened was wrong
- Trying to protect family or loved ones (or even the abuser themselves)
- Feelings of powerlessness
- Suppression of the memories of the abuse
- Struggles with the psychological impact of the abuse
If any of the above sounds like something you’ve experienced – or something you are currently experiencing – then we are here to help you. Even if there’s been a significant passage of time since the date when the abuse occurred, we’re still dedicated to getting you justice for your child abuse claim in Manchester.
Please feel free to reach out to us as soon as you feel able to do so. However, it is worth emphasising here that generally, the sooner, the better, as it makes it easier to collect critical evidence that might end up being crucial to proving that the abuse took place.
Will my confidentiality be protected?
Absolutely. Your right to confidentiality is enshrined in UK law. You can trust that our experts at Farleys will ensure that you are never named in the media, even in the most high-profile of cases. There are very rare exceptions – however, these generally involve survivors voluntarily waiving their right to anonymity. That’s not a decision that is ever taken lightly, and it’s certainly never one that you’ll be forced into making.
What is the Child Abuse Claims Process in Manchester?
As you’d probably expect, child abuse claims in Manchester are subject to a thorough legal process. This is by design, as it ensures that survivors have enough time to collect the necessary evidence and present their case for the very best chance of success.
Here’s how it begins:
We start with a free case assessment with one of our expert solicitors, at which time we’ll assess the likelihood of success for your claim. We recognise that this can be a very difficult conversation to have, so your comfort and security will remain our absolute highest priority throughout.
Allocation to a specialist who will handle your case. This specialist will act as your main point of contact from this stage onwards – minimising the number of people who know the details of your circumstances and keeping your confidentiality intact.
Collection of evidence. This is arguably the most crucial stage, and depending on the nature of your circumstances, it may involve bringing in outside experts such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If this is necessary, you can rely on us to provide you with close support throughout.
Tally of the compensation amount. Financial compensation may not be the most important aspect of your case, given the nature of the situation. Still, our focus at this point is to secure you an amount that reflects the gravity of your case – as it can help to provide you with valuable support in other areas of your life, as well as your future.
Settling your claim. When we’re ready and we’ve collected all the relevant evidence, we’ll then present all details to the person or party responsible. We should mention here that very few cases go to court, as the majority are resolved long before then. However, if yours is one of the very few cases that does, you can always rely on us to be here to support you every step of the way.
Meet our exceptional Manchester team
Partners Jonathan Bridge the head of our abuse team at Farleys in Manchester and brings over 20 years of experience in representing abuse victims and is recognised as a national specialist in this area of law. The other solicitors in the team, Leah Whitehead and Natalie Tolley bring valuable expertise and dedication to our mission of providing compassionate and effective legal assistance to individuals seeking justice for the abuse they have endured. Our wider team also offers support with any queries you may have throughout your case. With our team’s combined experience and commitment, we are here to support and represent you throughout your claim with empathy and understanding.
Where to find us in Manchester
Our office in Manchester is situated at 196 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WF. Nestled in the bustling commercial district, it’s close to the Crown Court and banks, so it’s easy to access.
You can reach our office conveniently using the free Manchester shuttle, the Metrolink, and local bus services. It is also within a walkable distance from a number of train stations including Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Road, Salford Central, and Manchester Victoria.
How to start a child abuse claim in Manchester?
Wherever possible, Farleys will pursue your claim on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.
We are a friendly, trusted, and straight-talking local firm with over 60 years of experience serving clients in Manchester and across the North West. Our solicitors draw upon a wealth of knowledge and industry-specific expertise to answer all of your most pressing questions regarding child abuse claims.
For free initial advice on pursuing a claim, feel free to get in touch with our Manchester child abuse claims solicitors today at 01254606008 or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.