Sexual abuse and assault are extremely traumatic experiences that will have lasting impacts on the survivors for the rest of their lives. Whether it’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other effect, survivors have a lot to deal with.

The attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team are committed to fighting sexual abuse cases and helping survivors receive compensation and seek justice in Pennsylvania.

Our highly experienced legal team understands how sensitive these cases can be and how to handle them with the care they deserve. With our compassion and experience with these types of cases, we’re prepared to provide representation for any survivors throughout Pennsylvania.

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Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

When it comes to sexual abuse cases, you need an attorney who not only understands how sensitive these cases are but also how to seek the maximum compensation for survivors. At Injury Lawyer Team, our goal is to make sure we not only secure the highest compensation possible for survivors but that their abuser sees justice.

Our compassionate legal team has a track record of successfully securing settlements and verdicts in these cases. We take a thorough approach to meeting the needs of each unique case. We ensure all survivors’ experiences are addressed, including getting compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.

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What Constitutes Sexual Abuse and Assault

A huge issue with sexual assault and abuse is that, in many cases, the survivors don’t realize what happened to them was wrong. Sexual assault and abuse are any non-consensual sexual behavior or sexual contact. These can be anything from unwanted sexual comments to rape.

The main component that makes something an assault is the lack of consent. Consent must be obtained consistently without manipulation, and when both people can consent. Sometimes, people aren’t able to consent due to being intoxicated or because of their age or mental status.

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse and assault unfortunately come in many forms, all of which can cause lasting trauma for the survivor. Some of the most common forms of sexual abuse are:

Child Sexual Abuse: This is a form of child abuse in which an adult sexually abuses a minor, usually for a prolonged period. It can be anything from sexual intercourse to inappropriate touching or exposing oneself.
Incest: Sexual abuse that occurs between two family members; typically, it’s between a child and an older family member.
Sexual Assault and Rape: These sexual acts for unwanted and non-consensual sexual acts, often involving some level of force.
Sexual Harassment: Unwanted advancements like comments or touching, but without any penetrative sexual acts.
Digital Sexual Abuse: This is when someone sends photos or videos of someone in the nude or performing sexual acts without their consent or knowledge.
Statutory Sexual Assault and Abuse: This involves any intercourse with a minor.
Sexual Exploitation: Coercing someone into sexual acts for financial or some other type of gain.
Voyeurism: Watching someone perform sexual acts while they’re naked without their consent or knowledge.

Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to seeking justice and compensation for survivors in Pennsylvania. This sometimes includes holding institutions responsible for their negligence, which led to someone being sexually assaulted or abused. There are many places where institutional sexual assault is more common. We’re prepared to handle cases in these places.

Workplace

Sexual abuse or assault that happens in the workplace. Usually, there are some power dynamics in place that cause coercion, harassment, and assault by colleagues and supervisors.

Inpatient Treatment Facilities

Many patients experience sexual abuse or assault in rehabilitation centers and psychiatric facilities. These patients are especially vulnerable and are subject to abuse from staff and other patients.

Prisons and Correctional Facilities

Even those in prisons and correctional facilities have legal rights like not being sexually abused or assaulted. Inmates sometimes experience this from other inmates or corrections officers.

Foster Care

Children in the foster care system are vulnerable to assault and abuse from foster parents, social workers, and other people involved in the system.

Daycare Facilities and Nursing Homes

Children and the elderly are considered vulnerable populations, and when they’re in daycare facilities or nursing homes, they might be at risk.

Educational Institutions

We’ll protect your rights, whether it’s a teacher, other staff member, or student who sexually abused or assaulted you.

Religious Institutions

Survivors reporting clergy abuse is starting to be more common as people feel safer in coming forward. Many religious institution officials are known to engage in non-consensual sexual activity with those in their congregations.

Sports Clubs

Team doctors, trainers, and coaches might use their authority to abuse young athletes at any level.

Military Institutions

The traumatic experience of sexual abuse or assault in military institutions often involves an abuse of power.

Hotels and Short-Term Rentals

These transient environments are a breeding ground for sexual predators. Staff and other guests might find their victims here.

Shelters

Those who seek refuge in shelters are often a victim of someone taking advantage of their vulnerability.

Steps to Take If You Have Been Sexually Abused

If you’re a victim of sexual assault or abuse in Pennsylvania, taking immediate action is not only essential for your safety but if you ever choose to pursue a civil case. Some steps you should take are:

Get yourself somewhere safe and away from the person(s) abusing or assaulting you.
Go to the hospital for medical care, even if your injuries aren’t visible or you don’t think they’re severe.
Report the incident(s) to your local police department.
Document everything you can about the abuse and assault.
Preserve any evidence by not washing things like your bedding or clothing.
Seek support from friends, family, or local organizations that specialize in helping victims, like the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR).
Consider taking legal action to hold your abuser responsible and seek justice.

Let’s discuss the specifics of your case

Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims

Survivors of sexual abuse and assault in Pennsylvania can be entitled to different types of compensation for what happened to them. No amount of money can take back what happened to you, but it can help you move forward. Some compensation types you might receive include:

Loss of enjoyment of life
Medical care expenses
Therapy and counseling costs
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Emotional distress

How much you’ll receive in your sexual assault or abuse settlement will depend on factors like:

The strength of the evidence
The severity and duration of the abuse
The degree of negligence by any institution responsible
The impact on your life

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Liability is a major component in sexual assault and abuse cases. In Pennsylvania, liability can go beyond the individual perpetrator and include the institution that failed to have protections to prevent the incident. Besides holding the one person responsible, we can hold institutions responsible on the following grounds:

Negligent supervision
Negligent hiring
Neglecting to respond to complaints or suspicions of abuse
Vicarious liability where the institution can be held responsible for its agents or staff

An example of institutional liability could be a hospital that does not conduct background checks on staff or fails to spot signs that an employee might abuse their patients or other staff members.

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

Proving liability in a sexual assault or abuse case is essential to seeking justice and compensation, but also to try and prevent more systemic abuse from happening. Injury Lawyer Team can help prove liability in sexual abuse and assault cases by:

Gathering all the evidence we can of the incident(s), such as police reports, medical records, and physical evidence.
Establishing a timeline documenting everything leading up to the assault or abuse, during, and after to show a pattern or abuse.
Working with experts to add additional testimony to strengthen your case.
Showing negligence on the institution’s behalf, like negligent hiring practices.
Proving how the sexual assault or abuse has impacted the survivor’s life.

How Our Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our legal team at Injury Lawyer Team has developed a comprehensive approach to sexual abuse cases. With our legal representation, you’ll have us for:

A free and confidential consultation to learn about your legal options.
Thoroughly investigating your claim.
Developing a legal strategy that will achieve the best possible outcome.
Negotiating with opposing counsel and insurance companies.
Representing you in court and in settlement negotiations.
Providing you with resources for healing.

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The Time Limits for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

You need to know about the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania if you’ve been assaulted and plan on filing a civil case. Someone who has suffered child sexual abuse has until they turn 30 to file a claim. An adult who has been sexually abused or assaulted has two years from the date of the injury to file a civil case but until the age of 50 to pursue criminal charges.

Contact a Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse or assault, Injury Lawyer Team is here to provide the legal support you need. We are dedicated to helping survivors seek the justice and compensation they deserve, holding abusers and responsible institutions accountable. With our compassionate and experienced team, you can take the first step toward reclaiming control of your life.

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