I want to make a Sexual Abuse Claim. What can I expect at my initial consultation?
We understand that it takes a tremendous amount of courage and strength for victims of sexual abuse to talk to anyone, including a lawyer, about their experience. Our clients have described feeling nervous, apprehensive, reluctant and ashamed.
We guarantee that our lawyers will treat you with nothing but the utmost respect and compassion that you deserve. We will listen to you and fight for you.
To help ease any apprehension that you may have in speaking to us for the first time, we set out what you can expect from an initial consultation at Stacks Goudkamp. Of course, every client is different and our lawyers are responsive to these differences. However, as a general rule, our approach to the initial consultation is as follows:
Method of initial consultation
Generally speaking, our initial no obligation contact will occur via telephone, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic where social distancing is encouraged by the government.
When we speak to you over the phone, we ensure that your privacy is maintained at all times. All information that you provide us is kept confidential. We will make a note of what is discussed so that we are able to provide you with advice and ensure that we have your clear and detailed instructions.
If you prefer to meet in person, one of our abuse lawyers will arrange to visit you in one of our offices located in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and right accross NSW. If you are comfortable, our lawyers are happy to meet with you in your home. Again, ensuring your privacy is paramount to our lawyers and anything discussed is kept confidential.
Cost of the initial consultation
We act on no win, no fee basis. This means that there is no cost and no obligation to you if you do not proceed with your sexual abuse claim and/or ultimately do not achieve a compensation verdict.
Our lawyers will provide you with a detailed cost disclosure in the event that you decide to proceed. This is in the form of a cost agreement, which is provided after the initial consultation. During the initial consultation, our lawyers will provide you with a clear explanation for how legal costs are calculated and the circumstances in which the Defendant will cover those legal costs. They will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
What you should bring
It is helpful if you have any documentary evidence that you can provide your lawyer relating to the abuse. This may include documents such as police records and/or statements you have written setting out your thoughts and feelings.
It is also helpful if you can provide any medical reports arising from injuries from the abuse, for example, any reports from a psychologist.
Our lawyers will make copies of these documents and keep them on your file.
You tell your story
Our lawyers appreciate the importance of giving you a voice. They will let you do the talking. You may tell us why you are seeking legal advice in your own words without our interruption. You may tell us how you feel and why you feel that way. Our lawyers will listen and provide you with considered legal advice.
Advice about Sexual Abuse Claims
Having listened to your story, our lawyers will provide you with legal advice about your potential legal rights on the spot. In some cases, further investigation may be needed before a final advice can be provided. This investigation can include researching the entity responsible for the abuse and carefully reviewing documentation you have provided.
Where further research or investigation is needed before our lawyers can provide any advice, our lawyer will undertake to provide you with that advice as soon as possible.
What happens next?
If you decide that you would like to proceed with a claim, our lawyers will open a file for you. They will confirm the approach to your case, provide you with a timeframe and ensure that you understand the process.
Our lawyers will ensure that you have their contact details so that you can get in touch with them at any time. They will also provide you with their administrative staff’s details so you can correspond with them also. Anyone who works on your file must maintain your right to confidentiality and our entire team endeavors to foster a relationship with you built on trust and mutual respect.
Written by Megan Sault.
Who can I get in touch with at Stacks Goudkamp?
Megan Sault is a solicitor in Alexander Morrison’s Practice Group and together they handle the majority of sexual abuse claims at Stacks Goudkamp.
Megan is a compassionate and knowledgeable lawyer. She and Alexander have successfully acted for numerous sexual abuse victims in the past.
For more information, and to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim, please contact Stacks Goudkamp on 1800 251 800 or alternatively, make an online enquiry.
