Shelton Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Whether it happened when you were a child or as an adult, being subjected to sexual abuse is a life-altering experience that you did nothing to deserve. What you do deserve is fair financial restitution for the harm your abuser(s) and their enablers have caused you.

Working with a Shelton sexual abuse lawyer can dramatically improve your chances of securing a favorable result from your lawsuit or settlement. From collecting evidence and incorporating it into your initial claim to ensuring you are paid fairly for every compensable loss you can trace back to your abuser’s actions, your dedicated personal injury attorney will work tirelessly to ensure your case goes smoothly from start to finish.

What Qualifies as Grounds for a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Because criminal cases are subject to a different standard of proof than civil cases, sexual abuse victims in Connecticut do not need to wait until their abuser is convicted, charged, or arrested to file a civil suit against them. Instead, they just need to show through a “preponderance of the evidence” that it is more likely than not they suffered specific “compensable damages” as a direct result of their abuser’s behavior.

While it is possible to build a traditional personal injury case around physical trauma stemming from an instance of sexual assault or abuse, it is also possible to sue solely for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” This may be applicable even if an act of sexual abuse did not cause physical injury requiring professional medical care. However, the latter case type works differently than a typical personal injury lawsuit, so it is especially important to seek help from a knowledgeable Shelton sexual abuse attorney before taking legal action.

Recovering for Short-Term and Long-Term Losses

“Compensable damages” in a sexual abuse lawsuit refers to any form of harm that can be assigned a financial value and addressed through direct financial restitution. Economic damages include medical bills and lost work income, both of which have objective financial values quantifiable through evidence like receipts and pay stubs. In contrast, non-economic damages are those involving physical pain and psychological distress with subjective values that must be established qualitatively.

It is possible, and often very important, to seek restitution for future negative effects of an act of sexual abuse in addition to losses that have already occurred prior to the start of the legal process. That said, there are strictly enforced filing deadlines for cases of this nature.  Support from a sexual abuse lawyer in Shelton can be key to efficiently constructing and filing a strong and timely claim.

Contact a Shelton Sexual Abuse Attorney for Assistance

Sexual misconduct should never be tolerated under any circumstances, and you should never have to bear the financial or personal burden of losses caused by such misconduct on your own. However, if you do not proactively enforce your right to civil recovery, you may not receive the remedies you need, even if your abuser is later convicted for their actions in criminal court.

You have help available from capable and compassionate legal professionals at Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC. Call today to learn what a Shelton sexual abuse lawyer can do for you.