Fort Lauderdale Sex Abuse Lawyer

If you are a sexual abuse survivor, you might not realize that you can seek justice outside of the criminal court system. In some cases, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the harm you have suffered. A Fort Lauderdale sex abuse lawyer can help explain your legal rights and options based on the unique circumstances of your case.

Here at Edwards Henderson, we strive to help survivors start thriving by securing compensation in Fort Lauderdale’s civil courtrooms. Learn more about how to seek out justice by pursuing a sex abuse lawsuit below.

Fort Lauderdale and Sex Abuse: Statistics You Need to Know

Estimating how often sexual abuse happens is extremely difficult since many instances go unreported. The WHO believes that about 1 in 3 women globally will experience sexual or physical abuse throughout their lives. When it comes to males, though, the picture is not as clear. It is estimated that a huge majority (70-90%) of males never report their sexual abuse experiences.

Recent estimates suggest that there are 622 registered sex offenders currently living in Fort Lauderdale. That means the ratio of sex offenders compared to the total population in the area is about 287 to 1.

Do not hesitate to reach out to a sexual abuse lawyer if you recently found yourself among these statistics.

Who Might Qualify to File a Sex Abuse Lawsuit

When you experience a sexual assault, seeking out financial compensation is usually the farthest thing from your mind. Despite that, it is an avenue you need to consider because you only have a certain amount of time to initiate a lawsuit after the incident. In Florida, for example, survivors only have seven years from the time they reach 18 years old or four years of discovering that they were sexually abused to file a civil lawsuit.

In instances of sexual assault and abuse, survivors may qualify for compensation when they can prove they have experienced losses as a direct result of the incident. These losses might come in the form of compensation for:

• Pain and suffering, including the loss of the enjoyment of life
• Medical expenses incurred due to the abuse
• Any expenses spent on therapy
• Lost wages for missed time off of work

Further, civil law allows survivors to seek out punitive damages in intentional tort situations. Punitive damages are designed to punish the offender for particularly egregious instances of neglect and recklessness and deter them from ever acting in the same way again in the future.

This step is so important for survivors. Even if you did not pursue a criminal conviction or were unable to receive one, you may still be able to obtain justice in civil court. The standard of proof is much lower in civil court. Rather than proving your claims beyond a reasonable doubt (which is required in criminal court), you will only need to prove your claims based on a preponderance of the evidence. This lowered standard helps survivors since often years go by before someone is ready to share their story and pursue legal action.

How Survivors Can Benefit From Filing a Civil Sex Abuse Lawsuit

The main way that you can benefit from filing a lawsuit is by getting the financial compensation you need to heal. You already suffered from an intentional wrongful act. There is absolutely no reason for you to also bear the financial costs of that egregious act as well.

Survivors can also benefit from filing a lawsuit because it can provide the recourse and closure they need, especially if a criminal court did not give them the outcome they deserved. Compensation can help a survivor seek out therapy, settle medical bills, and more.

How a Fort Lauderdale Sex Abuse Lawyer Can Help

Despite the many benefits of filing a civil lawsuit, this move is extremely challenging for survivors who have already been through so much. A good sex abuse lawyer will understand the fragility of your situation and all the many emotions that come along with seeking out a claim.

A quality lawyer will help you secure all the documentation you need to prove your claims. They will also take care of the legal paperwork and they will negotiate with the other party to ensure you get a fair and reasonable amount of compensation.

In the best-case scenario, you will not need to step foot inside the courtroom. Your lawyer can negotiate a settlement for you based on the strong documentation they have compiled. If the other party strongly denies the claims, though, then you may end up in court. If that is the case, then an experienced Fort Lauderdale sex abuse lawyer will represent you in trial and prepare you for the big day.

To ensure you get the very best service, check out a lawyer’s past case results and reviews to ensure that they will fight for your cause.

Important and Recent Sex Abuse Cases in Fort Lauderdale

Clergy and church-related sex abuse claims are not unheard of in the Fort Lauderdale area. In 2015, a lawsuit was filed claiming that the Archdiocese of Miami moved a priest to a Fort Lauderdale church after allegations that he sexually abused a teenager in Pembroke Pines.

There have also been allegations against the Boy Scouts of America in South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale. Other common perpetrators include teachers, foster parents, athletic coaches, youth leaders, employers, and more. If any of these situations resonate with your life experiences, then it makes sense to contact a lawyer to learn more about your legal options.

Are You Ready to Hire a Fort Lauderdale Sex Abuse Lawyer?

Survivors often experience emotional, physical, and financial consequences after an assault that was outside of their control. For that reason, it makes sense to hire a Fort Lauderdale sex abuse lawyer who can help you recover from all your losses and secure justice in civil court.

The lawyers at Edwards Henderson have years of experience holding some of the most powerful defendants accountable for sexual abuse, including Jeffrey Epstein. Our firm has also secured some of the largest verdicts in history for our clients.

We understand the challenges you are facing right now. Leave your contact details on our online form today to request a confidential case consultation with our Fort Lauderdale sex abuse attorneys.

Edwards Henderson is a nationally-recognized powerhouse litigation firm, dedicated to providing its clients with the highest quality legal services and, at the same time, making substantial, positive changes for the common good.

We are skilled litigators and experienced trial attorneys who have effectively pursued civil lawsuits against some of the most powerful individuals, organizations and big businesses on behalf of people, victims and small businesses. In fact, we specialize in handling cases where the power differential is greatest and we can use our experience and resources to even the playing field. Our recent trial results speak for themselves.