Kansas Sexual Abuse Lawyer Representing Victims

If you or someone you love was sexually abused in the past, you can still get justice by filing a civil claim for damages. An attorney can help you prove how the abuse is responsible for your injuries and make them pay fair financial compensation. Your damages may be quite substantial, as sexual abuse often leaves deep psychological wounds.

Numerous people or entities may be held responsible for sexual abuse. Common examples include schools, teachers, employers, religious groups, and even family members. If you were abused as a child, you have until age 31 to file a claim. Those abused as adults typically have 2 years, barring special circumstances. The overall value of your case will likely vary based on the nature of the abuse, how long it occurred for, and how it has affected your life in the time since.

Call our sexual abuse lawyers representing victims at The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 and ask for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Who Can You Sue for Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse may occur in numerous settings, and you may sue various people involved. Below are some common examples of people or entities you might hold legally responsible.

School Employees

Many cases involve sexual abuse that happened while the victim was in school. Teachers, coaches, and administrators all have access to children who cannot defend themselves. If you were abused at school, you can sue the person who abused you and the school or school district.

If you attended a private school, our sexual abuse attorneys representing victims can sue the school like any other private entity or organization. Suing a public school is trickier because it is a governmental entity. Even so, you may sue the school or school district responsible for the abuse.

Employers

Other cases involve suing an employer. You might sue your employer if you were abused at your job, or you could sue the abuser’s employer if they used their job status to commit the abuse.

If you were abused while at your job, you can sue the person who abused you and possibly your employer. Employers are often responsible for the safety of the workplace, and this may include handling claims of abuse. If you reported the abuse to your boss or supervisor and nothing was done, they might be held responsible for allowing the abuse to continue.

Alternatively, you and the abuser might not have worked together, but they used their job position to commit the abuse. For example, maybe you were interviewing for a job, and the interviewer coerced you into sexual activities. Maybe they threatened to blacklist you, damaging your professional reputation. You can sue them and their employer in that case.

Religious Groups

Unfortunately, many sexual abuse stories being reported today stem from abuse committed by religious groups. Although many feel that clergy members are “untouchable,” the law says otherwise.

If you were abused by a church leader or someone from a religious group or organization, you can sue them for damages. This is often difficult, as religious institutions often keep abuse quiet and try to intimidate or silence victims. It is also difficult because religious leaders are often well-respected within their communities, and victims fear backlash from those close to them.

You may also include churches and larger religious organizations in the case. Often, churches or larger organizations in charge of overseeing individual places of worship take steps to cover up abuse, and they should be held responsible.

How Long You Have to Sue for Sexual Abuse in Kansas

Your time to file a civil case is limited, and the longer you wait to start your case, the harder it may be for your attorney to prepare.

Childhood Abuse

Children typically cannot initiate legal action on their own, so they have a longer limitation period for sexual abuse cases. The statute of limitations under K.S.A. § 60-523(a) gives victims of childhood sexual abuse 12 years from when they turn 18, or until age 31, to file a civil case.

Alternatively, you have 3 years from when the defendant is convicted in criminal court, whichever limitation period is longer. Criminal prosecution sometimes takes a long time, and this might give you more time to prepare your case.

While this might seem like enough time, it is relatively short for sexual abuse cases. Many victims do not come forward until middle age. If you were abused, you must speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Abuse in Adulthood

Adults may be victims of sexual abuse, too, and they have even less time to file their civil claims. Generally, these claims fall under the personal injury statute of limitations in Kansas. Plaintiffs have only 2 years under K.S.A. § 60-513(4) to file.

If you have a mental condition that inhibits you from filing your case, you may have the statute of limitations tolled under § 60-508(a). We can pause the limitation period while you are experiencing a mental condition, and it may resume once the condition is removed. However, tolling may not go beyond 23 years after the cause of action accrues.

The Value of Your Damages in a Kansas Civil Case for Sexual Abuse

The value of your claims will vary based on unique facts and circumstances surrounding the abuse.

First, we should consider your economic losses. Economic damages are not always substantial in sexual abuse cases. Many plaintiffs do not seek medical help out of fear or shame, while others might not suffer severe physical injuries. However, if you sought medical attention, you may claim your medical bills as part of your damages.

Perhaps the biggest factor in our damages calculations will be your pain and suffering. Sexual abuse is very traumatic, and victims often live with psychological injuries and emotional distress for years. Some never fully get over what happened, and the trauma has a way of bleeding into other aspects of their lives. If we can prove how much you have suffered, the jury or judge may be more inclined to award higher damages.

Get Help Today From Our Kansas Sexual Abuse Lawyers Representing Victims

Call our sexual abuse lawyers representing victims at The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 and ask for a free, confidential case evaluation.