Bancroft Sexual Assault Lawyer
While recent activism regarding sexual assault has led to a notable increase in police-reported sexual assaults, greater reporting has not led to an increase in criminal charges. CBC confirms this. The fact is that the criminal justice system does not always hold perpetrators of sexual assault accountable. This is why it is critical to know that victims of sexual abuse have civil avenues for trying their case against the accused.
If you or a loved one—especially your child—has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse, a sexual assault lawyer serving Bancroft can help you seek damages. We want to hear your story, so call our team at Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free initial consultation.
Victims of Sexual Abuse Vary
According to the World Health Organization, one in three women will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. According to 1 in 6 Project, one in six men will be the victim of sexual violence in their lifetime.
If you are the victim of sexual abuse, we may be able to help you pursue damages if you are eligible—regardless of your age, gender, or other defining characteristics.
Victims of sexual abuse find themselves facing similar consequences, regardless of their other defining characteristics. These consequences may include:
- Shock
- Short- and/or long-term anxiety/nervousness
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and society
- Grief
- Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
The symptoms of sexual abuse are, unfortunately, often life-long and can inhibit one’s emotional and social development in negative ways. We cannot simply wish or counsel these symptoms of sexual abuse away, but we do have legal recourse for mitigating their effects from a financial standpoint.
Damages for Sexual Abuse May Be Substantial
The effects that sexual abuse can have on victims, especially children, are such that damages may reflect trauma that lasts throughout adulthood. And, if recent cases are any indication, the courts are only becoming more sympathetic towards the massive toll that sexual abuse can take on a victim.
A pair of the cases in the 1970s essentially resulted in a cap on the financial damages that sexual abuse victims could receive—a figure generally accepted as $350,000, after adjustments for inflation.
But a recent case we handled suggests that such a cap may no longer apply to all victims of sexual abuse. The judge awarded $400,000 to a victim of sexual abuse in the case of D.S. v. Quesnelle, bringing into question whether damages for sexual abuse are capped.
In light of this, we recommend you seek help if you hope to take full advantage of the shifting legal landscape pertaining to sexual assault in the civil court system.
A Sexual Assault Lawyer Serving Bancroft Will Fight for You
There are several ways that we can assist you should you choose to bring forth civil charges. Preszler Injury Lawyers will:
- Meet with you to discuss at-length what happened, how it has impacted you, and how we can remedy the situation through legal avenues
- Examine and collect medical records detailing your injuries, both physical and psychological
- Review any relevant police reports and speak to any witnesses of the abuse
- Initiate the legal process from start to the completion of a judgment or settlement
- Ensure that your rights are defended throughout the legal process while providing you with empathetic representation
Part of our counsel will include an honest discussion about the kinds and amount of damages to which you may be entitled. Call our team at the Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free initial consultation.
Damages That May Be Awarded in Sexual Assault Civil Cases
Every case is different, and we make sure to advise each client on how the details of their case could ultimately impact potential damage. However, we commonly see victims of sexual abuse awarded damages compensating them for:
- Medical bills related to injuries sustained during or resulting from assault or abuse
- Pain and suffering, which is often substantial and long-term in nature
- Diminished ability to earn an education
- Diminished earning capacity due to abuse-induced trauma
- Punitive damages
- And possibly more
We Aim to Establish Liability
Like any civil case, establishing the liability of the defendant is critical to securing a favourable judgment or settlement. But there are considerations specific to proving liability in a sexual assault that our lawyers know well. The types of liability that may apply in sexual abuse cases include:
- Assault and battery
- Negligence
- Vicarious liability
- Breach of non-delegable duty
- Breach of fiduciary duty
If your sexual abuse took place in a work setting, your employer or former employer may also be required to pay you damages. Preszler Injury Lawyers will take this into account if it applies to you.
Contact a Sexual Assault Lawyer Serving Bancroft Now
There is now no statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. This means that victims of sexual abuse can bring criminal and civil charges against their alleged abusers at any point, but there are still advantages to contacting a lawyer sooner than later.
Do not wait—call our team at the Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free initial consultation.
