Vermont Sexual Abuse Lawyer Representing Victims

It takes an immeasurable amount of courage to bring a sexual abuse case against an individual abuser or institution, and our trauma-informed lawyers can do everything in their power to make survivors as comfortable as possible during civil litigation.

To build your case, our attorneys can preserve evidence, gather records about the abuse, enlist expert witnesses, identify all liable parties, and calculate your damages. You need a lawyer’s help to file a sexual abuse lawsuit, not just so that you do not miss the statute of limitations, but also so that the court accepts your claim petition and your lawsuit can begin. We can continue to provide invaluable support throughout your entire case until it is resolved, whether through a settlement or trial.

For a free case assessment from The Law Office of Andrew Shubin, you can call our sexual abuse lawyers representing victims today at (814) 826-3586.

What Can a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Do to Build Your Case?

There is so much we can do while building your sexual abuse case to ensure it is strong by the time we file it.

Preserve Evidence

To build a strong case, sexual abuse victims need evidence. Our sexual abuse lawyers representing victims can help preserve and obtain evidence, including photos of injuries from sexual abuse, correspondence and communications discussing sexual abuse, and medical records that indicate sexual abuse.

Tell us whether you reported the abuse to law enforcement, a trusted adult in your life, or a friend or family member, as they may be able to provide useful testimonial evidence.

Gather Records

We can then begin locating and gathering any records related to the abuse. This includes official reports made to schools, law enforcement, and other institutions, as well as medical records documenting injuries or other documentation of sexual abuse.

Enlist Experts

We may enlist expert witnesses when building a sexual abuse case on your behalf in Vermont. In these cases, expert witnesses, specifically mental health experts with experience treating sexual abuse victims, may provide valuable testimony.

When they testify on the stand, expert witnesses can answer crucial clarifying questions about the long-term effects of sexual abuse on victims and other important information.

Identify Liable Parties

Identifying every liable party is key for a successful sexual abuse claim. Multiple parties may be liable, even if one person committed the abuse. For example, suppose you were abused as a child by a teacher or staff member at school. In that case, not only the person who abused you but the institution that had a responsibility to protect you, the school, would be liable.

Institutional sexual abuse is incredibly common, and victims should know whether or not institutions can be included in their sexual abuse lawsuits.

Calculate Damages

As we build a sexual abuse lawsuit on your behalf, we can keep a running tally of all of your damages. Damages can be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages due to sexual abuse often include medical expenses, reduced wages, and therapy expenses. Non-economic damages cover the intangible harms of abuse, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer to File Your Sexual Abuse Case in Vermont?

If you do not hire a lawyer to help you with your case, you risk filing an incomplete claim petition or bringing your case outside of the statute of limitations.

File a Complete Claim Petition

To start a sexual abuse lawsuit, you must first submit your claim petition to the court in Vermont. The petition will outline the facts of your claim, identify all liable parties you wish to seek compensation from and hold accountable, and the specific damages you wish to recover in a lawsuit.

Errors or missing information in claim petitions can be detrimental, and the judge might dismiss your petition, forcing you to restart the process.

File within the Statute of Limitations

You need an attorney who is familiar with Vermont’s statutes of limitations for different sexual abuse cases so that you do not mistakenly miss the deadline and your opportunity to seek accountability for the abuse you endured as a child or an adult.

For childhood sexual abuse, there is no longer a statute of limitations in Vermont, so you may still file a lawsuit, even if a lot of time has passed since the abuse ended. For sexual abuse endured in adulthood, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit is 6 years.

What Can Your Lawyer Do After Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Vermont?

We can also handle every step that comes after a sexual abuse lawsuit is filed so that its resolution favors you.

Navigate Discovery

After we file a sexual abuse case on your behalf, the case will enter the discovery phase. During this stage, both sides seek evidence from one another and exchange it. The discovery phase depends on the case’s complexity and how much evidence and how many witnesses are involved.

During discovery is when depositions take place. Depositions are sworn statements that become part of the official record and can be referred to if your case is litigated in court. The opposing side’s attorneys often depose victims in sexual abuse cases, and our lawyers can thoroughly prepare you for deposition questions in that scenario.

Handle Communication

Sexual abuse victims should not have to communicate, correspond, or negotiate with the opposing side about the case at all, and can leave all communication to our attorneys. This helps prevent unnecessary re-traumatization that might otherwise occur.

Negotiate a Settlement

After filing your case, we may negotiate a settlement. Tell us if you prefer an out-of-court settlement as opposed to going to trial, or if settling is not your goal. You need our lawyers during settlement negotiations to stop you from signing a bad agreement that includes an unfair non-disclosure agreement or severely underestimates your damages.

Litigate the Case in Court

A sexual abuse lawsuit might go to trial, and having an experienced lawyer by your side if that happens is incredibly important. Not only are we familiar with the procedures and steps involved in litigating a sexual abuse lawsuit, but we can also provide you with the support you need to get through a trial.

Seek Our Help with Your Sexual Abuse Case in Vermont

The Law Office of Andrew Shubin’s sexual abuse lawyers representing victims can review your case for free if you call (814) 826-3586.