Child Sexual Abuse

The sexual assault or sexual abuse of a child is one of the hardest things for a parent to deal with. News of sexual assaults or molestations in boy scouts, churches, sports teams, or schools seems to permeate the 24 hour news cycle. Supposed “leaders” in these organizations can turn out to be nothing more than perpetrators who cause a lifetime of pain for their victims. The victims of these crimes and their families are often left without knowing where to turn. This is where an experienced San Diego Crime Victim Lawyer can help.

Our office has helped the victims of crimes to recover compensation in civil cases for over a decade. Working with parents, prosecutors and police, our office has been able to recover millions for victims and their families when it seemed like there was nowhere else to turn. This compensation has been used to pay for medical bills, therapy, counselling, and even to establish college funds for the victim of the crime.

Getting Help From a San Diego Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Many people are surprised to learn that they can possibly hold businesses or other entities responsible when a child sexual assault occurs. In many cases, the actual perpetrator can be judgement proof, meaning that they have little to no assets to pay for a judgment. Our office will work to identify whether there are any insurance policies that can be triggered to help to obtain a recovery for our client. Employers, schools, businesses, apartment complex owners, and security companies many times have insurance policies that could be used to provide funds for a client if a judgment is obtained.

Statute of Limitations in a Child Sexual Abuse Case

While many clients do come to us as a result of a child being recently assaulted, there are many more victims of child sexual abuse who could pursue claims. The claims all have to be filed within a certain timeline, know as a statute of limitations. In California, the time period to report a sexual assault was expanded from a victim’s 26th birthday to their 40th birthday. Also, the bill provided a three year window for revival of past claims that might have expired. That window started on January 1, 2020.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the new limitations bill was passed as a result of allegations of abuse by Catholic priests and the conviction of former US Olympic gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

What is important to know is that our office will talk to the victim of any child sexual assault, no matter their age or when the assault occurred, in order to identify whether a viable child sexual assault civil case can still be filed.

Damages that Can be Recovered in a Child Sexual Abuse Civil Case

In any civil action for sexual assault or sexual molestation, the law allows victims to recover the following:

• Past Medical Expenses (including therapy and counseling)
• Future Medical Expenses
• Lost Income or Lost Earning Potential
• Pain and Suffering
• Mental Anguish
• Punitive Damages

Also, the recent legislation that just passed in California allows treble damages (meaning damages are multiplied by three) for any case where a child became the victim of a sexual assault or sexual abuse as a result of an effort to cover up past sexual assaults.

Getting Help From a San Diego Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Our office conducts completely free and confidential consultations with all child sexual abuse victims and/or their families. Also, we handle all child sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless your case is won at trial or settled. To speak to a San Diego Lawyer about your case now, call us at (619) 377-4660.