Hiring a Sexual Abuse Attorney

Survivors of sexual abuse may find it challenging to come forward and discuss what they have been through. People who experience abuse may worry about privacy, judgment, shame, have a belief they are at fault or they may fear retaliation from the perpetrator or the organization that abused them. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance when it comes to pursuing litigation for a sexual abuse lawsuit. It is crucial for the survivor to feel safe and comfortable sharing their story.

Sexual abuse attorneys are ready to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse and other forms of sexual assault seek justice for the harms they experienced.

If individuals believe they are ready to disclose their sexual abuse to see if they may have a legal claim, they can schedule a consultation with a civil sexual abuse attorney to discuss their case in more detail. Sexual abuse attorneys can help individuals with pursuing legal action against their perpetrators. Their assistance includes:

• Gathering evidence and testimony for the case
• Determining what damages the sexual abuse victim has suffered and what they may be able to recover (lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical costs, etc.)
• Building the survivor’s case so the personal injury claim is properly put together and filed
• Pursuing confidentiality to protect their client’s privacy
• Litigating the claim in court on behalf of the survivor, as well as during the discovery process

The attorneys at our law firm are trauma-informed and trained to assist survivors of sexual abuse with their civil cases. Our approach strives to prevent re-traumatizing abuse survivors in order to make the litigation process easier to handle emotionally. By working closely with survivors and understanding what they personally want to achieve in their litigation objectives, we can shape our legal approach to strive for the justice they deserve.

A statute of limitations is a deadline for filing a lawsuit. After the deadline passes, it’s usually not possible to file a lawsuit. These limitations can be different depending on the state where the case occurred and what type of case it was.

But some states have created exceptions called “lookback windows” for specific cases. These laws allow people to take legal action against responsible parties, even after the statute of limitations has passed. Many states have recently enacted these “lookback windows” specifically for childhood sexual abuse claims, so survivors can take legal action as adults even if the previous statute of limitations has expired. The “lookback windows” show that state legislatures are beginning to recognize that survivors may not disclose that they were sexually abused as a child until they are adults.

A sexual abuse attorney can help their clients figure out the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases in the state they are filing in. Attorneys may also be able to pursue confidentiality in the form of a pseudonym (such as Jane or John Doe) during the filing process if that’s what the client requests and that remedy is similarly available in the jurisdiction where the case is being litigated. This availability depends on the state you file in and may require the court’s approval as well.

Is it safe to speak with an attorney about sexual abuse?

Attorneys must keep consultations confidential, whether or not the individual decides to pursue a lawsuit. Motley Rice sexual abuse attorneys are trained to handle sensitive sexual abuse claims and provide professional and empathetic support to survivors, regardless of whether a case is filed or not.

How do I file a sexual abuse lawsuit with an attorney?

Once you’ve hired a sexual abuse attorney, they can help you gather the necessary evidence and documentation and file a lawsuit for the sexual abuse that you have experienced. Attorneys will be crucial to this process as they are familiar with what is needed to file the lawsuit in the appropriate state.

How much compensation may be received in a sexual abuse case?

Sexual abuse compensation received in a case can vary depending on several different factors. These factors include the court, the unique facts of the case, the evidence provided for the case and the damages incurred.

How can attorneys provide confidential support after sexual assault?

Through confidential consultations, attorneys can better understand the levels of privacy and confidentiality each client prefers. Attorneys may be able to request the use of a pseudonym (Jane/John Doe) for victims of sexual abuse in the litigation process, as long as the state the case is filed and the court allows it.

By consistently using a trauma-informed lawyering approach, Motley Rice attorneys will help our clients feel protected and comfortable during the litigation of their sexual abuse case. We understand the sensitive nature of these lawsuits and how difficult it can be for individuals to tell their stories. Our law firm has experience supporting victims of sexual abuse and assault in a variety of different cases.

This includes sexual abuse lawsuits against:

• Catholic Church
• LDS Church
• School teachers and staff

Read more on our sexual abuse litigation experience.