Tampa Sex Abuse Lawyer

The consequences of sexual abuse are grave and may last a lifetime. Many people find it difficult to come forward due to reasons such as shame, regret, confusion, guilt, worry of having to relive the assault, and often, a combination of factors. Survivors may also take a long time to realize that they were sexually abused, due to causes like an abuser’s gaslighting or repressed memories.

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you deserve the opportunity to seek justice. By filing a lawsuit, you may be able to seek compensation and closure, and possibly prevent your abuser and any enabling organizations from committing the same abuse and negligent behavior in the future. If you or a loved one is a survivor of sex abuse, contact our Tampa sex abuse lawyers at Edwards Henderson today for a free legal consultation.

How Common is Sex Abuse?

Sexual abuse culminates from non-consensual sexual contact, which may or may not be direct (such as penetration using a sex toy). Statistically, sexual assault occurs in the U.S. as frequently as once every 68 seconds, according to RAINN. Sexual abuse, rape, or attempted sexual assault can happen to anyone, irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation. The chances, however, increase for women and children. One in five women experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime and an accusation of child sexual assault is confirmed every nine minutes.

Below are some staggering facts on the prevalence of sexual abuse in the U.S.:

• 82% of child sex abuse survivors are female minors
• Females are four times more likely to experience sexual assault between ages 16 – 19 years
• Child sexual abuse survivors are more prone to subsequent drug addiction
• Post-traumatic stress disorder is a likely effect of sexual abuse
• Perpetrators of child sexual abuse are more likely to be a family member or acquaintance

Can I File a Tampa Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against My Attacker?

If you are a sex abuse survivor, you should consider filing a civil lawsuit against the responsible parties, including the perpetrator as well as a third-party institution that may have facilitated or aided the crime (examples being churches, schools, daycare facilities, or hospitals). In the case of married or domestic partners, your spouse or registered domestic partner may also be qualified to make a claim for loss of consortium. This is feasible in cases where the offender’s actions have resulted in a loss of intimacy, companionship, or moral support.

The bottom line is that you can file a civil lawsuit when you have suffered losses due to nonconsensual sexual activity—you need not wait for the perpetrator to be considered an accused or found guilty of the crime.

What Compensation is Available for Tampa Sex Abuse Survivors?

Survivors of sexual abuse can file a civil lawsuit to seek monetary compensation. For a survivor, such compensation can be helpful in recovering the damages suffered as a result of the abuse. While it cannot reverse or eliminate your trauma, you may recover compensation for the harm suffered as a result of it. The amount of compensation in successful lawsuits varies depending on the particulars of each case. A reputable sex abuse law firm can help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible in your case, for losses such as:

• Distress and suffering
• Mental and emotional trauma
• All past, present, and upcoming medical costs associated with the crime, such as those for emergency care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs
• The amount spent on mental health services, such as trauma therapy sessions
• Lost wages
• Loss of pleasure
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of the ability to earn a living

Benefits Of Filing a Civil Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Any nonconsensual sexual activity has the potential to negatively impact a survivor’s well-being. The resulting stress from abuse manifests itself physically and mentally, sometimes years later. If you are a survivor, then simply understanding the process of filing a sex abuse lawsuit can be helpful in easing some of your worries or anxieties about the legal process and outcome.

While survivors may benefit personally from a successful lawsuit, you can also help others by filing a sex assault case in Tampa. Legal action can help prevent the abuser from hurting other people as well as punish a negligent third party for failing to implement better prevention and reporting policies in their organization.

Criminal actions against sexual perpetrators may be daunting for a survivor. Fortunately, civil cases require a lower burden of proof, namely the “preponderance of evidence” or “more likely than not” standard. This way, a plaintiff would only need to present arguments to show that it is more likely than not that the defendant committed the sexual abuse.

If your civil sex abuse lawsuit is successful, then all potentially responsible parties would likely be required to pay monetary damages to mitigate your losses.

How Can a Tampa Sex Abuse Lawyer Help Me?

In case of civil lawsuits, it is advisable to seek guidance from a knowledgeable and experienced sex assault lawyer. A skilled Tampa sex abuse attorney will outline your legal options, explain your rights, and assess the totality of the circumstances of the crime to decide the validity of your claims. A local attorney will represent your legal interests and fight to ensure you are adequately paid for the harm endured. The majority of sexual assault attorneys also operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means that they do not charge clients any fee unless they win.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, our Tampa sex abuse attorneys at Edwards Henderson want to help you out. Our legal team has successfully litigated against sex abuse offenders, including influential individuals and groups like the estate of Jeffrey Epstein. We understand the complexities of sexual abuse cases, and we realize you need an empathetic and experienced lawyer to see you through your quest for justice.

Speak with an experienced Tampa sexual abuse lawyer to check whether you are qualified to file a civil lawsuit. Contact us here for a free and confidential legal consultation.

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.