Important Information for Victims of Sexual Assault: What You Need to Know About Filing a Lawsuit
Posted on Nov 15, 2017 4:10pm PST
Victims of sexual assault and abuse have legal rights, including the right
to pursue civil legal action against the parties responsible for their
harm and suffering. While the unique facts and circumstances involved
ultimately determine the trajectory of a case, it remains important for
victims to understand their rights and what they can do to assert them.
To help you better understand civil lawsuits over sexual assault and abuse,
we have compiled the following information:
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Claims against the wrongdoer – Civil lawsuits over sexual assault and abuse can be filed against
the responsible individual wrongdoer or entity, such as in the case of
institutional abuse where entities employed the abuser. While these parties
may face criminal charges for their conduct, as well as penalties, a civil
lawsuit is generally the only means for victims to recover compensation
for their damages, including their mental anguish and emotional injuries.
Civil lawsuits are handled separately from criminal cases.
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Suing additional parties – Victims often have rights to pursue lawsuits against persons or
entities other than the wrongdoer. This commonly involves situations of
premises liability, where property owners have a legal obligation to take reasonable measures
in ensuring the safety of guests, visitors, or even residents of rented
properties, such as homes, apartment complexes, and hotels. Depending
on the circumstances, these premises owners may be held at fault for their
failures to provide adequate security, which enables the perpetrator to
gain access and commit the offense. These failures can amount to negligence
when property owners knew or should have known about potential issues
and failed to fix them, such as broken locks or windows, a lack of security
cameras, poorly trained security staff, or insufficient lighting, especially
when there is a history of assault or crimes on the premises.
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Reporting assault and abuse – Victims can protect themselves and their rights by reporting instances
of assault and abuse to the authorities as promptly as possible. This
can ensure that they will be appropriately tested and that they receive
treatment for psychological effects of the assault, as well as any physical
injuries. Though difficult, stepping forward to report assault and abuse
can also protect other innocent victims from suffering harm in the future.
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Work with the right attorney – Working with the right attorney can make all the difference in
a victims’ legal journey and recovery. At Biren Law Group, our caring
and compassionate attorneys prioritize the wellbeing and needs of our
clients, and work personally with them through difficult times. As lawyers
who focus exclusively on harnessing the power of the civil justice system,
we can guide assault and abuse victims through the legal pathways needed
to hold wrongdoers and accountable parties liable for the damages they
suffered. This can provide the sense of justice they need, and the compensation
they deserve.
Civil claims involving sexual assault and sexual abuse are emotionally
turbulent matters, as well as difficult legal endeavors that involve unique
and challenging issues. However, they can be effectively handled by proven
lawyers. By trusting your case to the experienced and passionate legal
team at Biren Law Group, you can gain the support of caring advocates
who are intent on making your voice heard and securing justice on your
behalf. Learn more about these types of lawsuits and what our firm can
do to help by calling {F:P:Site:Phone} for a free and confidential consultation.