In Florida, sexual abuse is a serious crime that can carry severe punishments. Sexual abuse can have long-term consequences for survivors, and they often need ongoing counseling to overcome emotional trauma. Victims of these crimes have gone through a traumatic event and deserve justice.
A New Port Richey sexual abuse lawyer at Dolman Law Group understands the severity of sexual abuse cases and can help you navigate a personal injury lawsuit against your attacker.
What Our Attorneys Can Do for You As a Sexual Abuse Survivor
We are ready to do all we can to help you, including the following:
Investigate the Circumstances of the Assault
It is important to have all the evidence your case needs. Sexual abuse lawsuits can be complicated, and our attorneys can gather evidence that will be helpful. We may gather phone and email records pertinent to the case.
Help You Decide the Compensation You Need
After evaluating injuries and other damages, our New Port Richey personal injury lawyers can assist with calculating the compensation you will seek. Examples of damages include medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, mental health counseling, and mental distress.
Negotiate on Your Behalf
Victims of sexual abuse can settle their case outside of court if an agreement is made in a civil case. These negotiations take a lot of time and can be emotionally draining. Lawyers at our firm will do all of the legwork so you can recover.
Represent You in Court
If we cannot settle the claim, we will litigate your case in court. Our lawyers have experience with sexual abuse lawsuits and handle all aspects of the case. We will file all required paperwork and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
How Dolman Law Group Is the Right Choice To Handle Your Case
A New Port Richey lawyer at Dolman Law Group will provide top-quality customer service. Our attorneys want to secure fair damages due to you after your sexual abuse.
- We offer free, confidential consultations to review your case.
- We will update you on the status of your case often.
- You do not pay us anything until we recover money for you.
- We maximize damages and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Lawyers at our law firm will work hard and give you all the support we can. We want our clients to feel comfortable coming to us with any questions or concerns.
Differences Between a Criminal and Civil Sexual Abuse Case
There are two types of courts where sexual abusers can receive penalties. These include civil court and criminal court. The accuser can sue for monetary damages relating to the sexual abuse incident during a civil court case. During a criminal case, abusers can receive criminal convictions.
Criminal Cases
In a criminal case, the claim is brought to the court by the state. If the case goes to trial, the prosecution will have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the sexual abuse occurred. Defendants can be punished with jail time, prison time, or probation if found guilty.
Civil Cases
In a civil case, victims of sexual abuse can sue their abuser for wrongdoing. Many victims hire attorneys to represent them during their lawsuits. The goal of the civil case is to determine if the defendant is more likely than not to be liable for damages. The accuser decides what evidence they present and the damages they seek during civil cases.
A criminal case does not affect a civil case. A lawyer from our firm can represent you during a lawsuit and offer support and guidance to reach a fair settlement. Our results prove we have helped many clients receive fair compensation.
Recoverable Damages in a Civil Case
You could recover damages after suffering sexual abuse. Recoverable damages are the amount of money a court will require the perpetrator to pay for the victim's costs because of the attack. These include:
- Lost wages if you were out of work during recovery
- Medical expenses
- Mental health counseling
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
What to Do Immediately After Being Sexually Abused
After a sexual assault occurs, report the crime by calling the non-emergency line or going to the hospital. Many hospitals in Florida have trained staff to implement sexual assault exams. Do not shower or change clothes before the exam to collect as much evidence as possible.
A law enforcement officer will want you to give a statement. Give as many details to the officer that you can remember. If you know the perpetrator, say their name. If not, give the best description you can.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
According to Florida's Sexual Violence Benchbook, sexual abuse is any type of non-consensual sexual behavior towards a woman, man, or child. These crimes include (but are not limited to):
- Sexual battery
- Lewdness, indecent exposure
- Rape or attempted rape
- Child pornography
- Stalking
- Non-consensual touching in a sexual manner
Lasting Effects of Sexual Abuse
Consequences for sexual abuse victims go beyond the immediate effects. This is a traumatic experience and can impact victims for the rest of their life. Many survivors of sexual abuse can experience many long-term effects. These include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Difficulty sleeping or chronic fatigue
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Eating disorders
These effects have been documented to last from a moderate length of time (3 months) to a lifetime. Our attorneys can support you during a civil case to recoup the funds you may need for mental health counseling after being sexually abused.
Call Our Law Firm Today for Compassionate Support and Legal Guidance
At Dolman Law Group, we offer free case reviews. Each sexual abuse case is handled with sensitivity and discretion to help our clients feel comfortable through the process.
Call today for your free consultation at (727) 451-6900. Our New Port Richey attorneys are trained to handle sexual abuse cases with the utmost care and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you need.
New Port Richey Office
5924 Main St
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 477-9660