Many individuals, both men and women, are the victims of sexual violence. When there is a sexual assault or any type of sexual abuse it is possible for the victim to also file a civil case. In these cases, specialized sexual assault lawyers will work on behalf of the person assaulted to obtain financial compensation for their medical costs and pain and suffering.
As sexual assault and abuse is a very specialized area of the law, it is critical to find sexual assault lawyers with experience in these types of cases. Most of these civil cases will proceed as assault and battery cases or, in some circumstances, as a case of intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The grounds for these civil actions will be based on the emotional harm combined with physical injury by the abuser. This can be a relative, partner or even a spouse, or it can be a complete stranger. As all sexual assault lawyers will note, the emotional impact of being assaulted or abused can be significant, and the victim has the right to be compensated for this potentially life-long emotional distress.
The Challenges
The reason it is so important to have sexual assault lawyers on your side is the challenges these types of cases present. While it is possible to have an award against a perpetrator, it may be very difficult to collect. This is particularly true if the perpetrator has few if any personal assets or who may have lost employment because of the criminal charges or other reasons.
In some situations, it may be possible that other entities or individuals may also be involved in a civil action brought by your sexual assault lawyer. This can occur if the attack occurred on a public or private property where there was insufficient security or where there was a failure to secure the premises, allowing the assault to take place.
Your Case
There does not need to be a criminal case to have a civil case when sexual assault or abuse occurred. Even in cases where there is a not guilty verdict it is still possible to include evidence in the civil case, which can make it easier to prove the assault or abuse occurred. If the criminal case resulted in a guilty verdict, this information could also be used in a civil case through collateral estoppel.
If you have been sexually abused or assaulted, you are entitled to take action to be compensated. Talking to sexual assault lawyers can help to understand the specifics of your case and determining how to proceed with a civil action.
It is important to work with sexual assault lawyers who are experienced, compassionate and knowledgeable in this area of the law. At The Law Offices of Julian Lewis Sanders & Associates, LLC. we provide that level of representation and professionalism. To find out more go to www.juliansanderslaw.com. You can also connect with them on Facebook.
