Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, you are not alone. Sexual abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation.

Victims of sexual abuse may be able to hold the individuals or institutions that caused them harm accountable through a sexual abuse civil lawsuit.

Our team can help you fight for compensation and closure while working to prevent this from happening again.

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Why File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

woman seeking therapy for past sexual abuse

Sadly, you may not be the only person who was hurt by your abuser. If it happened to you, it could have happened to others as well.

By filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit, you may be able to hold the individual or institution that caused you harm accountable — and prevent others from being harmed by them as well.

A sexual abuse civil lawsuit may also result in financial compensation to help address the many ways that an assault may have disrupted your life.

Compensation can be sought to address costs related to: 

  • Counseling or therapy
  • Lost wages from missed work
  • Medical bills
  • Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD
  • Other physical, emotional, or financial impacts of trauma

While money cannot erase your experience, it may serve as a step toward closure and accountability.

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Contact us today to learn more about your legal options. A member of our team is available 24/7, and there's no cost to speak with us.

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Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

It is important to note that filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit is different than a criminal lawsuit.

In a criminal sexual abuse lawsuit, the state presses charges against the defendant (the person accused of committing the crime) and brings the case to court. A guilty plea or verdict can result in criminal charges against the defendant, like probation or prison time.

A sexual abuse civil lawsuit can be pursued by the plaintiff (you and your legal team) — regardless of the outcome or existence of a criminal trial.

While these sexual abuse civil cases don’t result in a criminal record, they can award financial compensation to the victim and their family that can help with their healing.

Types of Sexual Abuse (SA) Cases

Individual perpetrators often commit assaults in spaces where they feel as though they have power and security. If an institution or organization fails to protect its community members from an abuser, the institution may also be legally responsible for any abuse that took place.

Examples of SA cases can include: 

  • Abuse in Schools or Sports: Schools and administrations may fail to properly screen new staff before hiring them, or they may take steps to protect coaches, teachers, and other staff members after claims of sexual abuse have been reported
  • Clergy Abuse: Sex abuse scandals in churches and other religious institutions can stem from a failure to punish known sexual predators — such as priests or clergy members — in their organizations
  • Exploitation on Social Media: Children and teens, especially those with a social media addiction, are at risk of being exploited by predators they meet through online games and apps
  • High-Profile Abusers: Film companies and other organizations may attempt to silence victims in an effort to protect known abusers like Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby
  • Medical Sexual Abuse: Some medical professionals, like Dr. Derrick Todd, have been accused of performing unnecessary and invasive exams or procedures, taking advantage of a patient's trust and their potentially limited knowledge of what constitutes legitimate medical treatment.
  • Rideshare Vehicles: Sadly, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft may not provide thorough screening of their drivers, potentially putting passengers at risk of assault during rides.
  • Nursing Home Abuse: Beyond physical injury or neglect, nursing homes may also fail to protect residents from sexual assaults by staff members or other residents
  • Workplace Abuse: Companies or employers may not address a situation related to sexual misconduct by a colleague or supervisor in a swift and adequate manner

What Do Attorneys for SA Victims Do?

While criminal lawsuits aim to punish the wrongdoer, sexual abuse civil lawsuits seek compensation for the survivors, victims, and their families while still holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions.

Our experienced sexual abuse lawyers may be able to: 

  • Stand up for the victims of sexual assault and abuse
  • Act as a guide through the legal process so survivors can focus on their healing
  • File the sexual abuse civil lawsuit within any deadlines
  • Pursue compensation that can help survivors and families find closure moving forward

You should not have to navigate this difficult time alone. We have female Case Managers on staff who can listen to your story and speak with you about your experience.

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Get in touch with one of our compassionate Case Managers with extensive experience today.

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Hold Individuals and Institutions Accountable

Often time, sexual predators are trusted, well-respected members of the community. Their position within society may enable them to carry out individual or wide-scale instances of abuse.

With civil lawsuits, survivors may be able to sue both the individual abuser and any institution — like the church, school, or nursing home — that enabled or protected the abuser.

Negligent behaviors — like ignoring credible reports of misconduct, not properly screening employees upon hiring, intentionally silencing a survivor, or working to disrupt an investigation — are all ways that institutions and organizations may fail to keep their community safe while shielding a sexual predator.

Remember: Regardless of how influential your abuser may appear, you do have legal rights. Let us help you reclaim your power through a civil lawsuit.

Pursue Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse

Filing a civil lawsuit is one way to pursue sexual abuse compensation. Our experienced sexual abuse attorneys are prepared to stand up to the individual or institution that caused you harm and work toward recovering the payment that you deserve.

A man with a gavel, serving justice

Financial compensation from a sexual abuse lawsuit can help alleviate the burden of physical, psychological, and financial damages suffered as a result of the abuse.

Let us fight for you. Our attorneys are compassionate toward survivors — and relentless in our pursuit of compensation on their behalf.

Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys Are Here to Help

As a national sexual abuse law firm, Sokolove Law has helped injured clients and their families hold the individuals and institutions that hurt them accountable for over 40 years.

Our sexual abuse attorneys are committed to helping victims of sexual assault or abuse across the country access the legal system and pursue compensation from a lawsuit.

You can also speak with female Case Managers on our team, as they are available to address any questions or concerns that you may have.

If you or a loved one experienced some form of sexual abuse or assault, call (800) 995-1212 today to see if we may be able to help you too.

Sexual Abuse Lawyer & Lawsuit FAQs

Who can file a sexual abuse lawsuit?

We are here to support you if you choose to file a sexual abuse lawsuit. Survivors of all ages may be able to file a sexual abuse civil lawsuit, even if the abuse happened years ago.

How can I find a sexual abuse attorney near me?

As a national law firm, Sokolove Law can help victims of injustice in all 50 states — our sexual abuse attorneys work across the U.S. to fight for the results our clients deserve.

Call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form now to see if you have a case for free.

How much does a sexual abuse lawyer charge?

At Sokolove Law, our sexual abuse lawyers don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if you are awarded financial compensation through your lawsuit.

How much compensation is usually secured for sexually abused victims?

Compensation for victims of sexual abuse is based on the details of each case, including the extent of the physical, emotional, and financial strain experienced by the individual as a result.

Our experienced sexual abuse lawyers are prepared to stand up to abusers — and any institution that may have protected them — while fighting for the compensation survivors deserve.

Will I have to testify at a trial?

In many cases, no. Our team is often able to secure financial compensation in the form of a settlement without you having to step foot in court.

However, a settlement isn’t always possible. In these instances, your case may proceed to trial, but we will do everything we can to help you navigate this process.

Can I file a sexual abuse lawsuit against someone who is no longer alive?

In some instances, yes. You may be able to file a lawsuit against a deceased abuser’s estate, which contains the sum of the assets that they left behind.

You may also still file a lawsuit against institutions like schools, churches, and businesses that may be partially to blame for the harm you experienced. Our attorneys can work with you to determine your eligibility for compensation, even if your abuser has passed away.

What constitutes sexual abuse?

The legal definition of sexual abuse varies by state, but an experienced sexual abuse lawyer can help you make sense of what may have happened to you.

Generally, sexual assault is any unwanted sexual or sexually motivated behavior performed without a person’s consent.

This can include:

  • Forcing or threatening someone to perform sexual acts
  • Groping or molestation
  • Rape or attempted rape
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Sodomy

If you're not sure whether or not what happened to you or your loved one is considered sexual abuse, reach out to speak with our team at (800) 995-1212. It costs nothing to speak with us.

  1. National Center for Victims of Crime. “Criminal and Civil Justice.” Retrieved from: https://victimsofcrime.org/criminal-and-civil-justice/. Accessed on October 27, 2022.
  2. RAINN. “Types of Sexual Violence.” Retrieved from: https://www.rainn.org/types-sexual-violence. Accessed on October 27, 2022.