How to access private, trauma-focused therapy funded by Bolt Burdon Kemp
We work tirelessly and fiercely to secure justice for survivors of abuse. We know that the earlier our clients can access therapy, the better their long-term outlook. Taking the first step in reporting their abuse is the hardest and bravest step in our client’s journeys. To improve the support we offer them, we will fund private therapy for our abuse clients whilst their claim is ongoing. We believe we are the first claimant law firm to offer such an initiative, which will ensure our abuse clients receive specialist therapy, recommended specifically for them by a psychiatrist.
Why are we funding therapy for our abuse clients?
Many of you will ask why we are doing this. Our abuse clients usually come to us at a critical stage in their lives. For some, they have kept the abuse they were subjected to a secret, for many years – sometimes all of their adult lives. Many of our clients are worried that they will not be believed if they speak out, and they often report experiencing feelings of shame and guilt about what happened to them. To suffer abuse is to experience a serious trauma and we know it can take a long time to come to terms with this, if at all.
Many of our clients will seek support from us after they have reported their abuser to the police and are going or have gone through the criminal court process. This can be a stressful and sometimes a re-traumatising process. When they come to embark on their civil claim to secure compensation for the abuse they experienced, our clients are at a crucial point where they need to start working through the impact the abuse (and the criminal process) has had on them.
Support is available, and is often vital to helping survivors come to terms with their past, so that they can move forward positively. We are fortunate to have the NHS provide much of this support, on a free-to-access basis, but sadly a lot of our clients slip through the net or feel unable to speak to their GP about their difficulties. Even when they are referred for treatment, long waiting lists, particularly now compounded by Covid-19, mean they are not getting help when they need it. Therapy can effect really positive change for those experiencing symptoms such as low mood, anxiety, intrusive thoughts and nightmares.
As a team we have always pushed for Defendants to fund early treatment for our clients as the earlier someone can access treatment, the better. However, this is difficult as Defendants are usually reluctant to engage in the rehabilitation process. This is particularly true in historical abuse claims, where Defendants often argue that a claim has been brought too late, outside of the accepted time limits prescribed by law. It is difficult to maintain such an argument whilst also funding therapy to help improve someone’s outcome, which could be seen as an acceptance of some responsibility.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are passionate about improving the lives of our clients, all of whom have experienced serious injury. The work of our Abuse team is no exception. We regularly fight Defendants who make allegations about claims being brought out of time, and win. Whilst we can’t directly help everyone who has experienced abuse, we want to do the very best we can for those who we represent. This initiative reflects our commitment to our clients, our faith in their word, our trust in their future, and our pledge to secure the very best outcome in their case.
Therapy works. Abuse can cause serious mental injury but no injury is untreatable and we know from our past clients that engaging in treatment makes a huge difference to their ability to cope day to day. It is vital to us that we start our clients as soon as possible on the path to recovery so that they can move forward and focus on living a happy and more fulfilled life.
How does it work?
We are happy to speak to any survivor of abuse on a free and confidential basis. If we can take on your case, you will attend an appointment with an expert psychiatrist as part of your claim in order to make progress with your case. This psychiatrist will confirm what sort of therapy they feel you would benefit from. Usually, you would receive the funds for this treatment after your claim settles. However, under our new scheme, if the psychiatrist says it is in your best interests we will fund up to £2,500 worth of therapy on your behalf right away. If you go on to lose your case, so long as you have kept to your obligations under your funding agreement, you won’t have to pay back a penny.
If you go on to win your case, the costs of the therapy you have already received will be recovered from your damages.
What’s next?
Pick up the phone and call us to speak to one of our expert team of solicitors – you are welcome to specify if you’d prefer to speak to a male or female solicitor. Or, alternatively, complete the contact form below and we’ll get in touch with you.
