How Can a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Help a Sexual Assault Victim
Understandably, survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, and nursing home sexual abuse find it difficult to resume their lives following their experience. A sexual assault victim often needs years of therapy before engaging in everyday relationships with others.
Southlake sexual abuse attorneys understand that a sexual abuse lawsuit never takes back the harm that was done to you. However, obtaining compensation from the abuser, or other parties whose negligence contributed to the abuse, can help a sexual assault victim get their life back on track.
Long-Term Effects of Sexual Assault
The detrimental effects of rape, child sexual abuse, or nursing home sexual abuse vary from person to person. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, withdrawal from social circles, and isolation. Some may feel guilty or blame themselves for their abuse. The feelings may come in waves or be triggered by certain events, circumstances, sounds, or even words. For many, these effects are permanent.
A Southlake sexual abuse attorney provides victims the support they need to proceed with an action for compensation against their abusers. With this financial support, a survivor may be able to obtain the services needed to move beyond the physical and psychological harm of their abuse.
Who Is Responsible?
Sexual assault victims sometimes know their abuser. However, many survivors are unaware that they can also hold third parties liable for their abuse. Your lawyer can diligently research the facts of your case to determine whether the negligence of third parties may have contributed to your abuse.
For example, if child sexual abuse repeatedly occurs in an institution, such as a church, school, or other organization, that institution may be held responsible. This third party may be held accountable if they negligently failed to undertake reasonable measures to protect the children in their care. Another example would be a case where a nursing home looked the other way as one of its employees sexually abused patients. Or perhaps the nursing home didn’t “look the other way,” but they were negligent and careless in the measures they took to ensure the safety of their patients. Either way, the institution could potentially be held liable in such circumstances.
What Can I Recover in My Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Personal injury law permits victims to recover compensation for losses resulting from their abuse. If your abuser got convicted in criminal court for their crimes against you, this conviction might be used as evidence in your civil lawsuit. If there is no criminal case, to recover damages in civil court, Texas law requires you to prove the sexual abuse happened by a preponderance of the evidence.
Statute of Limitations for a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the incident. However, because sexual assault and abuse vary significantly from general personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is much longer. For example, for a child sexual abuse case, the statute of limitations is 30 years from when the victim turns 18. A person that was an adult at the time of their sexual abuse has 10 years to file a civil lawsuit.
Contact Us
Were you or a loved one a victim of sexual abuse, including rape, child sexual abuse, or nursing home sexual abuse? If so, you need the legal assistance of qualified Southlake sexual abuse lawyers. Hartley Law Firm provides aggressive representation when you need it most. We pride ourselves in being strong advocates while simultaneously providing you with the support, compassion, and understanding you deserve. With in-depth experience in various personal injury matters, the Hartley Law Firm takes on sexual abuse cases with the sensitivity and diligence needed to get meaningful results. You deserve to move forward with your life.
Our experienced attorneys also handle other types of injury cases, including:
- Auto Vehicle Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Property Liability
- Wrongful Death Claim
Contact Hartley Law Firm today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.
