Institutional Abuse Claims

An institutional abuse claim can arise from:

1. Sexual abuse in any institutional setting
2. Serious physical abuse
3. Severe psychological abuse or neglect
4. Abuse in schools, churches, or youth organisations
5. Foster care abuse
6. Sporting or community organisation abuse
7. Residential care facility abuse
8. Youth detention centre abuse

Key timeframe information:

1. No time limits apply since the Royal Commission reforms
2. Historical claims can now be made regardless of when the abuse occurred
3. Previous settlements can be reviewed under new NSW legislation
4. National Redress Scheme available until June 30, 2027
5. Different timeframes may apply for different types of claims:

• • Common law claims (no time limit)
  • National Redress Scheme claims (must be lodged by 2027)
  • Review of past settlements (check eligibility)

1. Removal of time limits
2. Extended definition of abuse (now includes physical and psychological)
3. Creation of National Redress Scheme
4. Ability to revisit unfair past settlements
5. New model litigant requirements for institutions

1. National Redress Scheme (up to $150,000)
2. Common law claims (no maximum limit)
3. Review of previous settlements under new legislation
4. Additional claims for counselling and personal response

1. Personal testimony
2. Medical records
3. Institution records (obtained through FOI)
4. Witness statements (if available)
5. Impact statements
6. Psychological assessments

1. Pain and suffering
2. Past and future medical expenses
3. Loss of income capacity
4. Treatment and counselling costs
5. Care and support needs

1. Initial confidential consultation
2. Evidence gathering phase
3. Medical assessments
4. Institution notification
5. Negotiation/mediation
6. Settlement or court proceedings

1. National Redress Scheme coverage
2. Government responsibility provisions
3. Alternative compensation pathways

1. Free legal consultation
2. Trauma-informed counselling
3. Support worker assistance
4. Interpreter services if needed
5. Local support groups

1. Strict confidentiality provisions
2. Private mediation options
3. Court privacy protections
4. Secure document handling
5. Anonymous claim options

1. No-win, no-fee arrangements available
2. Free initial consultation
3. Legal aid options
4. Clear cost agreements

1. Clear connection to institution
2. Documentary evidence where possible
3. Medical/psychological evidence
4. Consistent testimony
5. Impact evidence

While you can make a National Redress Scheme claim independently, having specialist legal representation is crucial because:

1. Institutions often have substantial legal resources
2. Evidence gathering requires legal expertise
3. Compensation amounts vary significantly between schemes
4. Legal complexities in historical cases need expert navigation
5. Your rights and interests need protection during negotiations
6. Complex medical evidence requires professional interpretation

Our firm makes a difference through:

1. Proven track record in maximising compensation
2. Specialist trauma-informed legal team
3. Extensive experience with FOI applications
4. Strong relationships with medical experts
5. Deep understanding of Parramatta institutions
6. Dedicated local support in Parramatta
7. Strong experience in common law claims
8. No-win, no-fee guarantee
9. Multilingual legal team
10. Personal attention to each case