Surrey Institutional Abuse Lawyer

Institutional abuse is a life-altering and traumatic experience that can have long-lasting emotional, psychological, and financial repercussions. It can occur in any organization where people are expected to feel safe and supported, yet instead experience harm from those in positions of trust or authority.

In British Columbia, systemic abuse within institutions has affected countless individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Indigenous women and girls, in particular, continue to face disproportionate risks due to historical and systemic inequalities, including human trafficking and exploitation within institutions of care, education, and religion. 

For survivors in Surrey, the experience of institutional abuse can lead to feelings of isolation, confusion, and uncertainty about where to turn next. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Surrey institutional abuse lawyers are here to provide compassionate, trauma-informed legal guidance for those seeking justice and accountability. Call 1-844-373-8202 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.

How Institutional Abuse Happens

Institutional abuse occurs when people in authority–such as teachers, coaches, clergy members, doctors, or caregivers–use their position of trust to exploit, manipulate, or harm vulnerable individuals. These acts can occur in:

• Schools
• Religious organizations
• Long-term care homes
• Correctional facilities
• Hospitals
• Workplaces
• Extracurricular and sports programs
• And other settings

Equally concerning are the failures of the institutions themselves. An organization may be held legally responsible if it ignored complaints, failed to supervise staff, or turned a blind eye to misconduct in order to protect its reputation. 

Examples of institutional negligence include:

• Failing to investigate or address reports of abuse
• Retaining or promoting known offenders
• Neglecting to perform proper background checks or provide adequate training
• Failing to implement safeguarding policies or checks and balances
• And more

These systemic breakdowns can have devastating consequences, not just for one person, but for many others who depend on those same institutions for safety and support. In addition, survivors, their families, and their communities may feel ripple-on effects due to abuse and subsequent negligence. 

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Tell Us About Your Case

For more than 60 years, Preszler Injury Lawyers has been helping people across British Columbia pursue the compensation they deserve for their institutional abuse claims. As one of the country’s longest-standing personal injury law firms, our practice is devoted entirely to injury law and helping accident victims–it’s all we do.

Schedule a free consultation today to speak with our award-winning personal injury lawyers and find out if you have a case. Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call.

1-844-373-8202

The Effects of Institutional Abuse on Survivors in Surrey

The emotional and psychological consequences of institutional abuse can be profound and lifelong. Survivors may experience:

• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Trust issues and social withdrawal
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or anger
• Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
• And more

These symptoms can manifest in self-destructive coping mechanisms, including substance use, disordered eating, or self-harm behaviours. Survivors of abuse are statistically 13 times more likely to develop alcoholism and 26 times more likely to develop substance use disorders than those who have not experienced trauma. 

Survivors of institutional abuse often also face serious financial consequences. Survivors may require extensive psychological counselling, ongoing psychiatric treatment, and other forms of expensive therapy that may not be covered by their insurance plan. Additionally, because of resulting mental health issues, survivors may need to:

• Miss work and lose wages
• Miss out on career advancement opportunities
• Suffer from a reduced future earning capacity
• Cut their education short 
• Fail to fulfill their earning potential
• And more

Seeking Compensation for Institutional Abuse in Surrey

It is important for survivors of institutional abuse in Surrey to know that there are resources available to help them retake control of their lives. A civil claim for damages can help survivors recover compensation for their losses, including:

• Therapy and counselling costs
• Medical and medication expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Punitive damages, in cases of severe negligence

Under the BC Limitation Act, there is no statute of limitations for claims involving sexual misconduct or institutional abuse. This means survivors can come forward at any time, regardless of when the abuse occurred. The law acknowledges that healing and disclosure take time. 

Working with our Surrey institutional abuse lawyers to file a civil claim for damages can seem like a difficult process. However, it can also be an important step in a survivor’s journey. Our legal team can help you recover compensation for your financial losses while aiming to achieve a sense of accountability, closure, and validation. 

Contact Our Surrey Institutional Abuse Lawyers for a Free Consultation

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our institutional abuse lawyers serving Surrey are standing by to provide you with personalized, confidential, cost-free legal advice. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case. 

During your confidential consultation, you will have the opportunity to learn more about courses of action you may be able to take to pursue justice and compensation. To take the first step towards accountability, contact our Surrey institutional abuse lawyers today.

You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-373-8202 or contact us online to begin your legal journey today.

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Survivor of Institutional Abuse in Surrey?