Radnor, PA Attorney for Victims of Sexual Abuse

Item: The Law Office of Andrew Shubin
Rating: 5
Author: Tina L

HOW WE CAN HELP GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

Fighting For Important Causes In State And Federal Courts

When victims of sexual abuse have the right attorneys representing and supporting them during their cases, they may ultimately bring strong, more successful lawsuits against any party who bears liability for their abuse.

First, you need to see whether you have a case, and you can do so during a consultation with our lawyers. If the statute of limitations has not yet expired, you may sue any individual or institution that is responsible for your experience of sexual abuse. To do so effectively, our lawyers will spend time investigating the abuse and building your case. This includes assessing your damages, which may be both economic and non-economic. We can write and file the complaint, explain what to expect from the discovery phase, and handle all settlement negotiations or court appearances.

You can call The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 for a free, confidential case discussion with our attorneys for victims of sexual abuse.

What Are the Steps for Victims of Sexual Abuse to Win Civil Lawsuits in Radnor, PA?

You can depend on our attorneys to help you take all the steps you need to pursue a successful civil claim for sexual abuse in Pennsylvania.

Case Confirmation

The first step to take to see whether you can pursue a sexual abuse lawsuit is to review your case with our lawyers. Based on the abuse you endured, how old you were when it occurred, how long it has been since the abuse ended, and several other factors, we can determine if you have a valid case and there is still time left in the statute of limitations for you to pursue it.

Many victims struggle to recognize or identify sexual abuse for some time. You can confide in our lawyers about your experience to see whether you might have a case, even if you are unsure whether it constitutes sexual abuse.

Investigation and Evidence Building

Once we confirm you have a case, we can begin the investigation and case-building stages. Our attorneys can obtain records from therapists you have seen due to the abuse, medical records concerning physical injuries you sustained from the abuse, notes, text messages, and other correspondence discussing the abuse, and journal entries and other personal writings detailing the abuse.

To win a civil sexual abuse case, the plaintiff must prove the defendant is more likely than not at fault. Although there is a lower standard of proof in civil cases than in criminal cases, it is not easy to meet and requires a thorough understanding of the burden of proof.

Assessing Damages

Sexual abuse victims should have a deep understanding of their damages before filing civil lawsuits. Compensable damages include any harms you endured due to abuse, economic or non-economic. For example, you might work at a lower income level, require treatment for sexually transmitted infections and other injuries, and live with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health ramifications of sexual abuse. These are all examples of damages, which our attorneys for victims of sexual abuse can estimate on your behalf.

Non-economic damages can be especially hard to quantify, which is why victims may need a lawyer’s help.

Writing the Complaint

When we have the necessary evidence to support your case, we can begin writing the official complaint. This complaint must name the plaintiff and the defendant and contain the alleged facts of the case. The complaint should also contain a request for a specific amount of compensation, for both economic and non-economic damages. If you wish to pursue punitive damages in a sexual abuse case in Pennsylvania, our lawyers can also note that request in the complaint.

Filing the Complaint

Let us file the complaint in civil court on your behalf. We must do this before the statute of limitations expires so you can move forward with your case and, hopefully, recover compensatory damages.

If you were sexually abused as a minor in Pennsylvania, you should have until you turn 55 to file a lawsuit. If you were sexually abused between the ages of 18 and 23, you should have until you turn 30 to file a lawsuit. If you were sexually abused as an adult at 24 or older, the normal personal injury statute of limitations applies, and you only have 2 years to file a lawsuit.

Pennsylvania provides exceptions to the statute of limitations, so it may be worth seeing whether you have a case, even if you think the applicable statute of limitations has already expired.

Discovery Phase

After the lawsuit is filed comes the discovery phase. During this stage, both sides exchange the evidence and information they have compiled and plan to use. This lets either side gauge the strength of the opposition’s case and helps inform our approach to upcoming settlement negotiations.

The discovery phase can be long or short, depending on the amount of evidence involved in a sexual abuse case.

Settlement or Trial

Like many sexual abuse cases, yours might end with a settlement. Many victims file lawsuits hoping for private settlements so that they do not have to discuss or relive the abuse they endured publicly. Sometimes, settlements are reached very quickly, especially if the defense is intimidated by the evidence exchanged during the discovery phase. Other times, settlements could take months, possibly even years, to reach, depending on the case.

If your case does not settle, it may be tried in court. Sexual abuse claims are often extremely complex, so they may take longer to litigate than average personal injury lawsuits. Going to court can be a healing experience for some victims, and whether your case takes this route depends on your comfort level and goals.