Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit

When taking legal action as the victim of sexual abuse, it’s essential to understand the difference between a civil lawsuit and a criminal lawsuit for sexual abuse.

• A civil sexual abuse lawsuit is a type of personal injury claim. In these cases, the victim seeks compensation from their abuser for the harm they’ve caused.
• A criminal sexual abuse lawsuit is filed by the state. These cases seek to punish the abuser through fines, probation, or prison time.

Because the standard of evidence is lower in civil cases, it’s often easier to hold abusers responsible through a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. However, the abuser can face both civil and criminal charges simultaneously for the same instance of sexual assault.

At LawFirm.com, we work with compassionate attorneys who can help survivors in all 50 states take legal action and pursue compensation.

Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if one of the sexual abuse lawyers in our network can fight for the justice you deserve.

Reasons to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Individuals will have their own reasons for choosing to take legal action against someone who sexually abused them. The following are just a few of these reasons.

Closure and Accountability

While you can’t undo the damage caused by sexual abuse, you may find a sense of closure in knowing that your abuser has been held accountable for their actions.

A sexual abuse lawsuit can also help ensure that the person who harmed you cannot hurt anyone else.

Compensation and Financial Help

Experiencing sexual assault or sexual abuse can have detrimental effects on a person’s life and mental health. It can even go so far as to affect someone’s ability to work or attend school and leave someone experiencing depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Financial compensation through a sexual abuse lawsuit or civil claim can help cover some of the expenses incurred from the abuse.

Common damages claimed in sexual abuse lawsuits include:

• Medical bills for physical injuries
• Medical expenses for emotional distress and therapy
• Loss of income
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Pain and suffering

There is a time limit on how much time you have to file a civil claim. In most states, you have 1-3 years from the incident of the sexual assault, though there are exceptions. Find out if you have a case before it’s too late.

Different Types of Sexual Abuse Cases

Both sexual abuse can come in many forms. However, it is common to find perpetrators who are people of authority, leadership, or high esteem in the community.

Examples of sexual abuse and sexual assault cases include:

• Abuse in religious institutions: This type of abuse occurs in churches or other religious institutions, with the abuser being a clergy member.
• Abuse in educational institutions: This type occurs at schools, daycare, or afterschool programs. In these cases, the abuser is usually a trusted authority figure, such as a teacher or coach.
• Abuse in nursing homes: Sadly, seniors may be at risk of sexual abuse by staff and other residents.
• Abuse in the workplace: This type of abuse occurs at work. The abuser may be an authority figure in a leadership role or a fellow employee.
• Online abuse: This type of abuse occurs over the internet and can involve exploitation over social media or the spreading of illicit pictures without consent.
• Incest: This type of abuse occurs at the hands of a trusted family member.
• Celebrity abusers: Victims of abuse by celebrities and other high-profile people, like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein, are often silenced — a powerful firm can help you stand up to these parties.

In many cases, survivors don’t just file a lawsuit against the person who abused them. They may also be able to take legal action against an institution that protected or enabled their abuser, like a school or a church.

Ways a Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help

A sexual abuse attorney can handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your well-being and spending time with loved ones.

Here are some top ways a sexual abuse attorney can help with your case.

1. Hold Perpetrators Accountable

Victims are often hesitant to come forward with abuse allegations. This hesitation may be because they are charging someone with power or standing in the community or who has financial or political influence.

With sexual abuse civil lawsuits, victims of sexual abuse can sue both individuals and institutions if these parties acted negligently and protected the abuser or allowed the abuse to happen.

2. Manage Your Sexual Abuse Claim

A sexual abuse attorney can also help investigate your claim, gather evidence, and work with the courts so you can focus on healing mentally and physically.

An experienced sexual abuse attorney understands the rules and procedures of filing and complying with the law so that you don’t have to concern yourself with statutes of limitations or other potential legal hurdles.

3. Fight for Compensation on Your Behalf

While nothing can take away the pain caused in the aftermath of sexual abuse, financial compensation can help to alleviate some of the associated burdens and injuries.

Let us help you find a lawyer to fight for you until justice is served and you receive the compensation you deserve.

Find a Sexual Abuse Law Firm Today

We understand how devastating it can be to experience sexual abuse and how it may seem scary or intimidating to seek help.

LawFirm.com assists victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault as they prepare to take action with a sexual abuse lawsuit against an individual or institution.

We provide information and resources, legal advice and guides, and news that could affect your case. We can also help connect you with a top-quality sexual abuse attorney in your area.

If you are ready to begin with a free consultation to determine your eligibility, simply fill out our contact form or call our hotline at (888) 726-9160 today.