Survivors of sexual abuse deserve support and justice. We believe each survivor’s story must be heard. At Arias Sanguinetti, our San Francisco sexual abuse lawyers are proud to have been the voice for countless survivors and secured justice for them.
Arias Sanguinetti understands how difficult recovering from these traumatic events can be. It takes a tremendous amount of courage for a survivor to survive. Recovery can take years, but with the help of our San Francisco personal injury lawyers, you can secure the resources you need to rebuild.
Arias Sanguinetti has obtained over $1.5 billion for our clients, and we’re here to offer you the same dedication and strength in your pursuit of justice.
What Kind of Cases Can a San Francisco Sexual Abuse Attorney Help With?
Our team of lawyers has over 300 years of combined experience – we’ve been helping survivors since the 1980s. In our time, we’ve handled several types of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual violence cases for our clients.
Some examples of sexual abuse cases we’ve handled include:
- Catholic clergy sexual abuse: When priests take advantage of their power, Arias Sanguinetti will be there to help you. We’re proud to have held several priests accountable through legal action.
- Coaches and teacher sex crimes: Sexual assault of a minor is especially egregious – California law allows survivors of sexual abuse as a minor multiple decades to pursue justice.
- Boy Scouts sexual abuse: When leaders abuse their position, especially with childhood sexual abuse, Arias Sanguinetti takes pride in creating institutional change through legal action.
- Medical sexual abuse: We help survivors of sexual misconduct by medical professionals during treatment. We have especially extensive experience in cases regarding OB/GYN sexual abuse and gynecologist sexual abuse.
- Foster parent sexual abuse: If you’ve experienced sexual abuse while in foster care, you have extensive legal options under California law.
- Correctional officer abuse: If correctional officers subjected you to sexual abuse or misconduct, we can advocate for your rights and hold those responsible accountable.
For abuse involving residents of long-term care facilities, a San Francisco Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawyer can help hold responsible individuals and institutions accountable.
If you or a loved one has experienced any form of sexual abuse or misconduct, it’s important to know that you have options. We are here to support you every step of the way.
When you’re ready to seek justice, retain a sexual abuse lawyer from Arias Sanguinetti to help you hold those responsible accountable and take action for your future.
California Child Sexual Abuse Law
In California, child sexual abuse is one of several serious offenses classified as “sex crimes,” encompassing a range of unwanted sexual activities without consent. These offenses can cause lifelong harm, especially to victims of childhood abuse.
- Sexual assault and battery: Any form of nonconsensual contact involving intimate areas. This can include forced touching, groping, or unwanted kissing.
- Child molestation: Lewd acts involving a child under 18, including touching with sexual intent, child pornography, or exploitation.
- Rape: Nonconsensual sexual intercourse frequently occurs with the use of force or threats, particularly in situations where the victim cannot provide consent, such as when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Statutory rape: Participating in sexual activities with anyone under 18 in California, irrespective of any perceived consent.
For victims of childhood abuse, we offer compassionate, professional support. Our San Francisco sexual abuse attorneys can help you understand your options and take legal action to seek justice.
A San Francisco School Sexual Abuse Lawyer can investigate whether a school or staff member failed to protect a student.
San Francisco Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Common Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is an incredibly traumatic experience that can leave lasting emotional and physical scars. Many experiencing sexual trauma may display:
Behavioral Changes
- Sudden mood swings or personality changes
- Increased aggression or withdrawal from activities
- Regressive behaviors like bedwetting or thumb–sucking
- Minors may run away from home
Emotional Distress and PTSD
- Frequent nightmares, panic attacks, or flashbacks
- Signs of post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including hypervigilance and anxiety
- Emotional numbness, shame, or guilt
Risky Behaviors and Physical Signs
- Self–harm or substance abuse as coping mechanisms
- Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships
- Easily triggered or upset
Our team of attorneys is here to help sexual assault survivors understand their legal options and move forward toward healing.
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Statute of Limitations for a Sexual Abuse Claim in San Francisco
In California, survivors of sexual abuse have a specific period of time to seek justice. Under Assembly Bill (AB) 1619, those 18 or older at the time of the abuse have up to 10 years from the last incident, or three years from discovering related injuries, to file a claim.
For victims of childhood sexual abuse, Assembly Bill (AB) 218 provides even more time. Survivors can file until age 40 or within five years of discovering an injury. There is also no statute of limitations for minors who experience sexual abuse on or after January 1, 2024. A three-year window for previously expired claims also began on January 1, 2020.
Sexual abuse can have a devastating impact, and pursuing legal action may help you secure financial compensation. Our legal team is here to support you through this process.
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How Can Our San Francisco Sexual Abuse Lawyers Help You as a Survivor?
Our sexual abuse attorneys in San Francisco can guide you through the legal process after you’ve experienced sexual abuse. Our team may be able to help you with:
Legal Guidance and Support
We understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases – our team engages with trauma informed care training to provide the support survivors deserve. Arias Sanguinetti will help you understand any local laws that may be relevant to your case, such as the California Child Victims Act.
This Act allows survivors to file a civil lawsuit until the age of 40 or within five years of discovering the psychological injuries resulting from the abuse. It also expands the possibility of recovering treble (triple) damages if we can prove the defendant attempted to cover up the abuse.
Emotional Support
Our team of sexual abuse lawyers takes the complex emotions involved in cases like these into account in the way we approach them. You deserve to be believed and to be treated with empathy and respect. Most of our clients never have to face the perpetrator, and California law allows many survivors to pursue their claims anonymously.
Pursuit of Compensation
We fight to help you pursue financial compensation for the damages caused by sexual abuse. We work diligently to recover damages for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses. We also commonly pursue punitive damages, which are intended to punish the perpetrator for their conduct.
We encourage you to reach out for an initial consultation to discuss your situation. Our goal is to help you receive the compensation you need to aid in your healing and recovery.
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
The team of lawyers at Arias Sanguinetti understand the urgency of seeking legal help after experiencing sexual abuse. We are committed to supporting sexual abuse survivors and do not charge any up-front fees when you work with our experienced team.
By operating on a contingency fee basis, we ensure that you can access legal assistance without being burdened by your financial situation. This model allows you to focus on your healing rather than worrying about costs.
We do not get paid unless we win for you. Everything is free unless there is financial recovery. This way, you can pursue your sexual assault lawsuit without any out-of-pocket costs.
Contact Us If You’re a Survivor of Sexual Abuse in San Francisco
Seeking legal representation after experiencing sexual abuse can be an important step toward healing. A San Francisco sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. At Arias Sanguinetti, we are committed to justice for survivors.
Our experienced team is here to fight for your rights and help you pursue financial compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. We understand the emotional and physical toll that sexual abuse can take, and we are prepared to advocate for you every step of the way.
Arias Sanguinetti is immensely proud of the results we have achieved on behalf of our previous clients. Let us help you take the next step toward recovery and justice. Reach out to us today to discuss your case.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form