You can sue someone for sexual assault to seek justice and hold them accountable for their actions. Sexual assault survivors have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit for damages, including emotional distress, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Filing a lawsuit is separate from criminal charges and focuses on recovering compensation for the harm caused. A Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer can help survivors understand their legal options and take appropriate steps to build a strong case.
Who Can You Sue for Sexual Assault?
Survivors of sexual assault have the right to pursue legal action against individuals and institutions responsible for the abuse. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you file a civil lawsuit against the following parties:
- Family members or relatives: Abuse by someone within a family can be particularly devastating, but survivors deserve justice regardless of the abuser’s relationship to them.
- Coworkers or colleagues in the workplace: Sexual assault in professional settings can disrupt careers and lives, and holding those responsible accountable is an important step toward recovery.
- Authority figures, such as teachers, coaches, or supervisors: These individuals hold positions of power and trust, which makes their betrayal even more harmful.
- Strangers who committed an assault: Survivors do not need to know their abuser to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for the harm done.
- Friends or acquaintances: Even those who seem trustworthy or close can commit acts of sexual abuse, and survivors have the right to take legal action.
- A spouse or intimate partner: Sexual assault within a marriage or relationship is a violation of trust and an unacceptable form of abuse.
- Institutions that enabled or covered up sexual abuse: Organizations like churches, schools, youth groups, or employers may be held accountable if they allowed abuse to occur or failed to act on reports of misconduct.
Regardless of the relationship with the perpetrator or the involvement of an institution, survivors have the right to seek justice. A lawyer can help survivors hold individuals and organizations accountable, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
What Damages Can You Recover When You Sue Someone for Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can lead to significant financial losses, such as medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages from time away from work or an inability to continue working. Filing a civil lawsuit gives you the opportunity to seek justice and financial recovery for the following:
- Reimbursement for past medical bills: An attorney can work to recover the costs of medical care, therapy, counseling, or any other treatment you needed because of the assault.
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity: If the assault caused you to miss work or impacted your ability to earn a living, you may qualify for compensation for the financial losses you’ve faced.
- Pain and suffering you experienced and continue to endure: You can seek damages for the physical pain and emotional toll the assault has taken on your well-being and quality of life. Compensation can address the psychological effects of the abuse, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
- Scarring and disfigurement: If the assault left lasting physical scars or injuries, you can recover damages for permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome): If the abuse caused chronic pain or nerve damage, you may be entitled to compensation for this ongoing condition.
These damages can help you rebuild your life and serve as acknowledgment of the deep impact the abuse has had on you. A lawyer can discuss your options with care and compassion and work with you to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitations for a Sexual Assault Lawsuit
The statute of limitations outlines how long survivors have to file a lawsuit. In California, these timelines depend on the survivor’s age at the time of the assault. Recent laws have expanded the time limits for many cases.
For Adult Survivors
California Assembly Bill 2777 applies exclusively to adult survivors of sexual assault. It created a lookback window, open from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2026, allowing survivors to file lawsuits for assaults that occurred on or after January 1, 2009, even if the standard deadline has passed.
For cases involving institutional cover-ups, survivors had until December 31, 2023, to file under a shorter one-year window. Outside these windows, California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1 gives survivors who were over 18 at the time of the assault the ability to file within:
- Ten years after the incident, OR
- Three years from the discovery of the assault or related injuries.
For Child Survivors
For survivors under 18 at the time of the abuse, the following limitations apply:
- Assaults before January 1, 2024: File until age 40 or within five years of discovery, per Assembly Bill 218.
- Assaults on or after January 1, 2024: There is no statute of limitations for filing claims, per Assembly Bill 452.
These laws ensure survivors have more time to seek justice. If you believe you qualify, an attorney can help you understand your rights and file a claim.
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Arias Sanguinetti Can Help You Sue Someone for Sexual Assault
You can sue someone for sexual assault, and you don’t have to face this process alone. At Arias Sanguinetti, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team has recovered over $1.5 billion for our clients, and we are committed to fighting for the justice and accountability you deserve.
Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will do everything in our power to protect you throughout this process. Our compassionate attorneys are ready to listen, guide, and stand by your side as you seek justice.
If you’re ready to take the next step or simply want to learn more about your options, Arias Sanguinetti is here to help. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.
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