Victims of human trafficking may not know which way to turn after escaping their restraints. If you've been involved in a trafficking incident, you can get recovery for the damages you've incurred. An Orlando human trafficking lawyer can assist you with getting your life in order and receiving rightful compensation. Whether you are just starting life over again or have been rebuilding your life for a while, you can make strides toward getting a full recovery.
Orlando human trafficking lawyers have the resources and expertise to guide you in your next steps in filing a claim in the state of Florida. Learn about the signs of human trafficking, the results, and what your legal remedies are.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking involves manipulating and/or exploiting a person for forced labor, services, or commercial sex. People who traffic may use different methods or techniques to get someone caught up into human trafficking. Some of these techniques include:
- Coercion
- Manipulation
- Threats
- Debt bondage
- Promises of money or romantic relationship
- Kidnapping
The United States has enacted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, defining human trafficking as follows:
- a) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
- b) The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. (22 U.S.C. § 7102(9)).
How Many People Are Being Trafficked?
Close to 25 million victims worldwide are being trafficked at any given time. The number of people being trafficked in the U.S. is hard to determine, because around 15,000 people are from other countries outside the United States. But many more thousands are trafficked inside the borders.
In Florida, human trafficking is a big problem, having the third-highest trafficking in the country. There are 4.08 cases per 100,000 people. Half of all trafficking victims are under the age of 18.
Laws Against Human Trafficking
The United States considers human trafficking a form of human slavery, which has been outlawed since the enactment of the 13th Amendment in 1865. This amendment includes the illegality of human trafficking. Florida Statute § 787.06(2)(d) defines human trafficking as “transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring, providing, enticing, maintaining, or obtaining another person for the purpose of exploitation of that person.” The statute also outlines Florida's goals of assisting victims and prosecuting offenders, allowing them to seek relief for damages.
Signs of Someone Being Trafficked
Human trafficking can sometimes go under the radar and people don't notice it going on around them. However, there are some signs that will be evident when someone is being trafficked. These include:
- Their environment is controlled and limited, with an inability to freely move around
- They don't have ready access to money, but they work
- They don't have negotiating power at work
- They don't have an identification or it's fake
- They work extremely long hours and for long periods of time
- They don't have much social interaction
Injuries and Damages from Human Trafficking
No matter what type of trafficking someone is forced into, there are going to be injuries and damages. Some injuries are seen, and some are unseen. The severity of the damages will vary depending on how long the incident lasted and the extent of the situation. Some of these injuries may include:
- Mental anguish
- Physical injuries from forced labor
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of time you could have used in preparing for the future
An Orlando human trafficking lawyer can assist with filing a claim to obtain the damages you are eligible for under Florida law. These include the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages include compensation for damages that are a result of the trafficking. These are things that have monetary value, including your time.
Non-Economic Damages
Many damages will consist of hidden pain and trauma. These are worth compensation, and you deserve to be compensated for that as well. Your Orlando human trafficking lawyer will calculate the amount of damages based on how long you were trafficked and the severity of the situation.
Punitive Damages
These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer. They are only awarded in certain situations. The law indicates that a person can file for punitive damages if there is fraud, malice, or gross negligence involved in the injuries and damages. In a human trafficking case, the first two would apply.
Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is established to provide a time frame for people in making their claim. In Florida, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1595, the victim of human trafficking has 10 years after the incident to file a claim if they are an adult. If they are a minor, they have 10 years after they turn 18 years old to file a claim.
Contact an Orlando Human Trafficking Lawyer
Start the road to healing by getting compensation for your injuries and the damages that you've suffered. An Orlando human trafficking lawyer at Dolman Law Group can assist you with the legal process.
At Dolman Law Group, you'll connect with an experienced lawyer who specializes in human trafficking law. We've won millions of dollars for our clients and are prepared to provide you with a free case assessment. You don't have to worry about paying any upfront fees until the case is over and won. So, you have nothing to lose when you contact an Orlando human trafficking lawyer. Schedule your appointment with us today.
Orlando Office
1701 Park Center Drive, Suite #240-G
Orlando, FL 32835
Phone: (407) 759-4565