Institutional Abuse Claims
Get expert advice on institutional abuse law. Our Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane institutional abuse lawyers serve all of Queensland.
Claims for survivors of Institutional abuse
If you were a victim of institutional physical or sexual abuse, we know that no amount of money can erase the trauma. However, we believe that you deserve to be compensated for what happened to you, and our expert team can help you make a claim.
You may be able to claim compensation for loss of wages, pain and suffering, past and future medical care (including psychological care, such as therapy or prescription medication) and lost superannuation.
Our lawyers act with confidentiality and empathy, and have successfully represented other clients who have been through similar situations to you. We know that institutional abuse claims are deeply personal and can be triggering. Every step of the way, we’re here.
Here’s why 94% of our clients happily refer our services to friends and family
We’re with you every step
We know that navigating the system can be overwhelming and complex. Our team will take the time to explain every step to you, so you feel empowered to move forward.
We genuinely care
At Smith's Lawyers, you'll never feel like a number to us. Each of our expert staff is committed to helping you through this challenging period in your life.
No Win. No Fee. No Catch®
Our ‘No Win. No Fee. No Catch’® promise provides access to risk-free compensation. What differentiates our promise is that many other law firms require you to pay the other side’s legal fees and expenses if your case loses in court. Unless we win your case, you won’t pay us or anyone else a cent.
Our results speak for themselves
In 25 years, we've never had a single client out of pocket. Last financial year, we recovered over $28 million in compensation for our clients. We get the results our clients deserve.
We keep it simple
Contact us
Reaching out to a lawyer can be tough, but our promise to you is more than just a listening ear and expert advice.
Tell us your story
At a location that's convenient to you, we’ll take the time to understand your situation and provide you the best advice.
Discuss your options
We offer free advice, 7 days a week. We'll give you all the information you need, so you know where you stand.
Some of our more common questions about Institutional Abuse compensation
Are there time limits?
No. In Queensland, the previous time limit of three years has been removed, which means victims of institutional abuse can make a claim for compensation, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
How long will it take
The majority of institutional abuse compensation claims can be completed within 12-18 months, but this can depend on a variety of factors. Very complicated matters can take longer. Your lawyer will discuss this with you when we begin your claim.
Who can I claim against?
Your claim is made against the insurer of the institution where your abuse took place. You may still be able to make a claim for compensation even if your institution no longer exists.
How much will it cost?
We offer a ‘No Win. No Fee. No Catch’® promise, which means there are no upfront costs and you will never be left out of pocket. We explain our fees to you before we start your claim, and are always calculated on the actual work we do (not a fixed fee or percentage).
What injuries are covered?
You can make a claim for any injury that was caused by, or made worse by, your abuse. This can include physical injuries or psychological injuries, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD.
What about the Redress Scheme?
There are several significant differences between a compensation claim and the Redress Scheme. Most importantly, the Redress Scheme has capped compensation at $150,000, whereas a compensation claim has no limit. You should speak to a lawyer before accepting Redress as it may void your future compensation entitlements.
