Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help with Sexual Assault Cases

Sexual assault is a traumatic experience that can cause devastating psychological distress, like depression, anxiety, paranoia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can significantly change the victim’s life, making it challenging for them to socialize with other people.

You should thus take legal action if you or your loved one becomes a victim of sexual assault.

You can file a criminal case to penalize and incarcerate the perpetrator. However, claiming civil liabilities through a personal injury lawsuit is also important to help you start a new life. That’s when you should call a Burbank personal injury lawyer to file a claim.

Why File a Civil Case Against Your Sex Offender

Criminal lawsuits are vital to put sex offenders in jail and prevent them from committing more crimes. Moreover, these cases help victims claim punitive damages from offenders.

The problem is that criminal cases take a long time, as the court must prove that the suspect is guilty beyond reasonable doubts. In most cases, victims also receive insufficient compensation to start a new life after their traumatic experience.

A personal injury lawsuit is thus crucial to claim rightful financial compensation from the perpetrator in lesser time. You only have to present overwhelming evidence proving that the perpetrator caused your physical or psychological injuries.

You can then recover damages for:

• Medical services and treatment expenses
• Counseling or psychological therapy
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In addition, you may claim civil liabilities from the employer of the sex offender if the sexual assault happens on the job. Remember that employers are responsible for keeping their customers, clients, or employees safe from sexual assault.

For example, you may sue the employer of a doctor who sexually abused you while in their health care facility. Parents can also sue the employers of teachers who sexually assaulted their kids in school.

Why Consult a Personal Injury Attorney for Sexual Assault Case

Immediately hiring a Burbank personal injury lawyer can help with your sexual assault case in the following ways:

1. Avoid the Statute of Limitation Expiration

The statute of limitation indicates how long you can file a case after the incident. Missing the deadline means you cannot sue the offender anymore.

Personal injury cases generally allow victims to file a claim within two years. However, sexual assault survivors can file a claim within ten years or three years after the discovery of the crime. Victims of childhood sexual assault have a longer statute of limitations.

Hiring a legal counsel helps you file a claim immediately.

2. Start the Investigation Right Away

Evidence of sexual assault can quickly degrade and disappear after a period.

So, consult with a lawyer to start the investigation soon enough and collect the necessary evidence. They can also file your claim immediately and secure court permission to investigate the perpetrator’s background.

3. Prove the Compensation You Deserve

A professional personal injury attorney also has enough expertise to prove the compensation you must receive.

They will collect evidence proving the economic and non-economic damages you incurred because of the sexual assault, like:

• Medical report
• Psychological assessment
• Medical bills and receipts
• Witness statements

Moreover, they will represent you in court to win your case.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney in Burbank to Handle a Sexual Assault Case

A personal injury claim helps you get rightful compensation for the suffering you’ve been through after surviving a sexual assault. It is thus better to file this civil case while you pursue a criminal lawsuit against a sex offender.

A Burbank personal injury lawyer will help you file a civil case for sexual assault and get the compensation you deserve.