Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse

LAWYER

Someone is a victim of sexual abuse every 68 seconds in the U.S. Survivors carry the pain and trauma wherever they go, often for many years or even the rest of their lives, all while most perpetrators get away with their crimes.

At TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we empathize with sexual abuse victims and their pain and suffering. You want justice. You want accountability. You want restitution. We want the same things. A Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer can help you by handling your legal case so you can focus on moving on with your life.

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How a Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Lawyer at TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

You may feel like bringing a civil lawsuit against your abuser is a hopeless cause. You may also feel alone and fearful as you wrestle with the decision to fight back. Our law firm is committed to fighting for victims of sexual abuse. We will stand by you every step of the way and guide you through the legal process.

Consulting with a lawyer from our firm can help you consider your options and how you wish to proceed against your abuser. Your lawyer will serve as your advocate and protect your best interests. When you hire our firm to represent you, you can expect us to pour time and resources into your case, but you can also expect us to:

  • Investigate the abuse: We will thoroughly investigate the sexual abuse that has been causing you physical and emotional pain. We want to hold the right person or institution accountable and discover the facts of your case so we can present them in court. 
  • Collect evidence: Building a solid case for compensation means gathering evidence to support your claim. We will collect evidence such as police reports, medical records, photographs, testimonies from witnesses and experts, and video footage. We will also use evidence such as DNA and clothing from the crime scene. 
  • Calculate your claim: We will determine how much compensation you are entitled to by taking your economic and non-economic losses into account as we calculate your claim. This will also help us weigh the fairness of your settlement offers to ensure they adequately cover your losses. 
  • Respect your confidentiality: Some survivors of sexual abuse understandably wish to remain anonymous. You can be confident that we will respect your privacy and work with you even if you want to be an anonymous plaintiff. Protecting your identity and maintaining your safety is our top priority.
  • Help you understand your rights: You have legal rights as a survivor of sexual abuse that we will defend and exercise. We will inform you of your rights and lay out the legal options you can choose to hold your abuser accountable.  
  • Minimize your interaction with your abuser: Facing your abuser or even communicating with them can be traumatizing. We will minimize your interaction with them to avoid intimidation, be present at every hearing, and handle most communication. We will also prepare you to testify. 
  • File a lawsuit: We will file a lawsuit on your behalf and present your case to a jury in pursuit of the compensation you deserve. We prepare every case for trial and are not afraid to fight for you.

Hiring us to represent you provides your case with the above benefits. We empathize with our clients, and we show them compassion. We know what itโ€™s like to feel unheard or invisible. We know what itโ€™s like to feel like an underdog. Thatโ€™s why we are committed to representing you because everyone should have access to legal representation.

Damages in a Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Case

Sexual abuse victims can hold their abuser accountable in two ways. First, the abuser can face prosecution in a criminal trial, where they can end up in prison if found guilty. Another way to hold an abuser accountable is by filing a civil lawsuit to recover damages to cover your injuries and losses.

We empathize with you during this challenging and vulnerable time in your life. You may feel hopeless and unheard. We are here to restore your hope and listen to you. Our law firm will fight to secure a compensation package that adequately covers your losses and holds your abuser accountable.

Damages we can recover for you include:

  • Medical bills: Sexual assault can result in serious injuries that require medical attention. Compensation can cover the treatment you receive, such as diagnostic tests, hospitalization, emergency care, surgery, future medical costs, and more.
  • Lost income: Your injuries and trauma could force you to miss work, resulting in lost income. Compensation can cover your lost income, future income, and benefits.
  • Cost of relocation: You may elect to relocate to put distance between yourself and your abuser or because you fear retaliation. Compensation can cover the cost.
  • Physical therapy: Your injuries may require physical therapy, so you can fully recover. You may also need special equipment to continue your rehabilitation at home.
  • Counseling: Sexual abuse doesnโ€™t just hurt you physically; it can invade your mind and leave psychological scars that counseling can help you work through.
  • Pain and suffering: Emotional distress, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment, and pain can all result from sexual abuse. Compensation can cover your pain and suffering. 

The court can also order your abuser to pay substantial punitive damages as additional punishment for what they did to you. We want to help you get justice. And sometimes, justice means filing a lawsuit against your abuser and recovering damages. Compensation canโ€™t change what happened to you, but it can help you regain a sense of normalcy in your life so you can begin moving forward.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

Youโ€™re already suffering from physical and emotional trauma. Youโ€™re already nervous about taking your abuser to court. The last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for an attorney to represent you. 

So, what does a sexual abuse lawyer cost in Pennsylvania? The short answer is nothing. Not only do we offer free consultations to evaluate your case and answer your questions, but we also work on a contingency fee basis. You donโ€™t pay us unless we win your case and you receive compensation. 

Our fee is a reasonable percentage of the compensation we recover for you. Your lawyer will explain how payment works in more detail.

We believe the rich and powerful should not be the only ones who can afford legal representation. Victims like you should not be intimidated to drop your case because your abuser has more money to spend on high-priced law firms. We will fight for you regardless of your financial status.

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We Will Meet the Deadlines to File a Lawsuit in Your Case

You want to take time to recover and feel safe again. You also want to consider your options, which consultation with an attorney can help you do. We understand. But you should be aware that you have only so much time to file a lawsuit seeking damages from your abuser in Pennsylvania.

The deadline to file a sexual abuse lawsuit is two years. If you do not meet this deadline, you will lose your right to hold your abuser civilly accountable. Victims of child abuse are the exception to the statute as they can file a lawsuit until they are 30 years old.

We will work to meet the statute of limitations in your case so you do not lose your opportunity to receive justice and hold your abuser accountable.

Definition of Sexual Abuse Under Pennsylvania Law

According to Pennsylvania state law, sexual abuse includes sexual assault, indecent assault, rape, and statutory assault by an individual, a group, or an institution. A grading scale determines the seriousness of sexual abuse crimes, which range from a misdemeanor to a felony.

  • Sexual assault: Engaging in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant (the victim) without their consent.  
  • Indecent assault: A complex type of sexual abuse in which the perpetrator forces the victim to come into contact with bodily fluids such as urine, semen, or feces to affect arousal. The victim could also be unconscious, intoxicated, mentally impaired, or under 16, all of which would impact the seriousness of the grade. 
  • Rape: Coercing a victim to engage in sexual activity without consent, often using violent force or threats. Rape includes penetration of the genitals and anus. 
  • Statutory assault: The victim is underage, and itโ€™s still statutory assault, even if the victim consents to sexual activities.
  • Sex trafficking: A form of human trafficking that involves forcing victims into sexual slavery.
  • Exhibitionism: Exposure of the genitals or other private body parts to the victim.
  • Masturbation: Gratifying oneself in front of a victim without their consent.
  • Obscene phone calls and texts: Sending the victim photographs of genitalia or other private parts with their consent.

You are not to blame. You are the victim. The only one responsible for what happened to you is the perpetrator. We want to help you hold your abuser accountable and seek restitution on your behalf. You are not alone.

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Sexual abuse can happen anywhere, and anyone can commit it. Itโ€™s not just individuals who can be liable for sexual abuse, but also groups of people and institutions such as:

  • Public and private K-12 schools
  • Religious institutions
  • Colleges
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Juveniles facilities
  • Foster homes
  • Childcare facilities
  • Your workplace
  • Hotels

You have the right to be safe wherever you work, go to school, worship, live or stay. When an institution fails to keep you safe, you have the right to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Unfortunately, some institutions attempt to cover up their liability. Our firm will seek the truth and hold institutions accountable for failing to protect you and covering up the crime.

In a criminal proceeding, the burden of proving liability is on the prosecution, and the burden of proof is high. However, the burden of proof is lower in a civil lawsuit. We will work to win compensation for you to rebuild your life.

What to Do if Someone Sexually Abuses You

The first step to take if you experience sexual abuse is to provide for your safety. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. This may seem scary, but a healthcare provider can thoroughly document your injuries and treatment. This will be crucial evidence to build a criminal or civil case.

Next, you should contact law enforcement. This is another scary step since you must re-live your traumatic experience by telling your story. Still, itโ€™s important so police can make an arrest and that your abuserโ€™s attorneys cannot use you not going to the police against you.

If you decide to file a lawsuit, your next move is to consult a lawyer with experience handling sexual abuse cases. Your lawyer will help you explore your options for holding your abuser accountable so you can get justice.

For information on locating an appropriate health facility, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). To prepare for contact with law enforcement, RAINN can help. 

Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer

How long do I have to file a Sex Abuse Lawsuit?

The statue of limitations for sexual abuse injuries vary depending on your state’s laws. In many cases, the statute of limitations begins to run once the injury is discovered.

Consult an Attorney Who Handles Sexual Abuse Cases in Pennsylvania Today

It takes great courage to come forward if you are the victim of sexual abuse. It takes even greater courage to hold your abuser accountable so you can get closure and move forward. We are proud to represent victims like you and have won millions in compensation.

If you or someone you love are the victims of sexual abuse, TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help you get justice. To schedule a free consultation with a Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer, contact us today at (844) 576-2116.

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