Walnut Creek Sexual Abuse Lawyer

The impact of sexual abuse can remain with a victim for his or her entire life, and it is something no one should ever have to endure. While victims can hold their abuser accountable in criminal court, they can also hold an abuser liable for paying compensation that can help with their recovery. No amount of money can ever give sexual abuse victims back what they lost, but it can cover medical expenses, and help victims recover from emotional distress. Sexual abuse lawsuits not only involve the complexities associated with personal injury lawsuits, but they are often extremely emotional. A compassionate Walnut Creek sexual abuse lawyer can help you through the legal issues you will face, and provide a listening ear.

If your abuser has been charged, they will likely face prosecution in the California criminal justice system. There, they will be questioned by the state prosecution and a judge or jury will determine whether they are innocent or guilty. If convicted, they will then serve a sentence that may include jail times and high fines. While this is an important step to hold your abuser responsible for their actions, it will not compensate you for the trauma you have experienced.

To do that, you will need to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser. In the lawsuit, you can ask for civil damages, including medical expenses, lost income, the cost of counseling, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. A judge or jury may determine the outcome of your case, or you may settle out of court. Either way, the assistance of a sexual abuse lawyer in Walneet Creek will be paramount.

All personal injury lawsuits have a statute of limitations, or a time limit, in which the injured party can file the case. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that extended the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual assault until the age of 40 to file a claim.

Other victims that were abused as an adult have five years from the date they discovered their injuries caused by the abuse. The new law also extended this statute of limitations from the previous three years from discovery, as outlined in the older law.

Many people think that they have a lot of time to file their claim, even if their claim falls into the shorter timeframe of five years from the date of discovery. This is not true, unfortunately. Like all other injury cases, a lawyer must conduct a full investigation and collect evidence before filing the claim. This takes time, so it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

Sexual abuse is something no one should ever have to experience, but if you have, a sexual abuse attorney in Walnut Creek is here to help. At the Brod Law Firm, we understand the toll sexual abuse can take on a person, and we want to help make things right. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.