Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault & Crime Victims
If you’ve been the victim of sexual abuse, assault or other crime, YOU NEED A LAWYER.
Why do I need a lawyer if I’ve been the victim of a crime?
You need a lawyer if you’ve been the victim of a crime because you may have rights to pursue beyond the criminal justice system. If you’ve been victimized by a criminal you may think that pressing charges in criminal court with a prosecutor is your only recourse for seeking justice against the criminal and for yourself. However, you may also have rights in the civil justice system through which you can pursue FINANCIAL COMPENSATION for the damages you suffered as a result of the crime. Also, it is important to know that victim restitution or victim compensation programs are different than pursuing civil damages in civil court. Therefore, if you’ve been injured or otherwise harmed as a result of a crime you should contact a civil attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for protecting and pursuing your rights as a victim.
What are some common crimes that also result in civil lawsuits?
Violent crimes such as shootings, stabbings, assault, and battery, as well as sex crimes such as rape and sexual assault all present factual scenarios that may allow the victim to recover FINANCIAL COMPENSATION.
Who pays the victim of a crime in a civil lawsuit?
a. Often the criminal is not the only party legally responsible for the crime that you suffered. This is yet another difference between the criminal and civil justice systems. For example, if you are the victim of a violent crime at a restaurant, theme park, apartment complex, or the like and the facility failed to provide adequate security to prevent against such crimes, the facility may be civilly responsible to you for the civil damages you suffered as a result of the crime. Additionally, if you suffer a sexual assault or are raped at a hotel or motel, the hotel or motel owners and operators may be liable to you for the physical and emotional trauma you suffered. Also, if your child is sexually assaulted at a school, daycare, camp or after-school program, the facility and their management may be made to compensate you and your child financially for the harm they allowed to occur. Therefore, it is important that you contact a civil attorney after you or a loved one are victimized by crime.
