In addition to being prosecuted for their actions in criminal court, people who sexually assault or otherwise sexually abuse others can also be held civilly liable for the harm they cause. While the compensation you can recover through this sort of claim cannot completely erase the trauma you unjustly experienced, it can do a lot to stabilize your personal finances and improve your overall quality of life in the years to come, so you do not have to bear those burdens all on your own.
That said, pursuing a lawsuit of this nature can be challenging on both legal and emotional levels, especially if you try to do it without the support of a capable and compassionate attorney. A Hartford sexual abuse lawyer from Berkowitz and Hanna LLC can provide the custom-tailored guidance you need and deserve.
Of course, the person or people who directly engaged in sexual abuse can be held personally liable in civil court for specific losses they have caused, including economic forms of harm like medical bills as well as various non-economic damages like physical pain and psychological distress. However, it can also be important to take legal action against companies or organizations which failed to properly address sexual abuse committed by someone they employed or otherwise worked with.
Depending on the circumstances, this could entail filing suit against a school system for failing to screen coaches who participated in after-school athletic programs, a private company which ignored reports of sexual misconduct by one of their employees, or a religious organization which knowingly protected clergymembers who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse in the past. A seasoned Hartford sexual abuse lawyer can work to identify every party that played a role in committing or allowing abuse to occur, and then help demand fair financial restitution from all of them.
Fortunately, Connecticut is one of many states which has substantially extended the deadline set by the “statute of limitations” for lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse. People who were abused after October 1, 2019 while under the age of 21 have until their 51st birthday to file suit, and people subjected to sexual abuse prior to that date while under the age of 18 have until their 48th birthday to formally start legal proceedings.
Notably, though, individuals who experienced sexual abuse after turning 21 are generally subject to the standard statute of limitations for so-called “tort claims,” which allows a maximum of three years after a “cause of action” first arises for a lawsuit to formally begin. Assistance from an experienced sexual abuse lawyer in Hartford can be especially important to building a strong and comprehensive case within this timeframe.
Being subjected to sexual abuse is never your fault as the person being abused, and it absolutely is the fault of the person who abused you. Even so, establishing civil liability for sexual abuse can be difficult if you have little or no past experience with civil litigation, especially if you are still dealing with the physical and emotional effects of the mistreatment you received.
Representation from a Hartford sexual abuse lawyer can help you proactively enforce your legal rights without putting too much additional stress on yourself or your loved ones during the legal process. Call Berkowitz and Hanna LLC today to discuss your options in a confidential consultation.
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