If you’ve been sexually assaulted in Philadelphia, PA, you may be entitled to compensation from your attacker, a business, property owner, or another negligent third party. Contact our office or call (215) 875-7030 to schedule your free consultation with Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options with our Philadelphia sexual assault attorneys today. We offer a free consultation and would be more than happy to review your case and offer some preliminary advice. Our compassionate team is always standing by, so don’t hesitate to call today.
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How Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me If I’ve Been Sexually Assaulted in Philadelphia?
Sexual assault is a crime. It’s also a type of behavior that can give rise to a civil personal injury lawsuit. That’s because no one has the right to touch you or violate you in any way without your consent. If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault in Philadelphia, don’t let your abuser off the hook. Hold them fully accountable for the trauma you’ve endured. Make them pay and hit them where it hurts.
At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers we have been standing up on behalf of victims of attacks and assaults for decades. Between us, our attorneys have more than 80 years of combined experience helping victims of sexual abuse like you. So, we appreciate what’s at stake. We also know what it will take to secure a substantial monetary award on your behalf. And, you better believe that we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.
You should call us for help if you’ve been sexually assaulted in Philadelphia. Why? As your attorneys, we will:
- Carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack
- Identify all liable parties, including your attacker, as well as businesses or establishments in Philly
- Gather evidence to support your allegations and substantiate your request for damages
- Bring in experts to help us determine what your sexual assault case is likely worth
- Navigate any challenges that might be posed by parallel criminal proceedings
- Negotiate with all opposing parties and their insurance companies on your behalf
- Take your case to a jury, if necessary.
You’re probably overwhelmed. You might not want to relive the details of your attack. However, money can go a long way and provide a little bit of justice. That’s why we’re here to help. We’ll handle the ins-and-outs of your civil sexual assault injury case. Every bit of it. We’ll work hard on your legal case so that you can focus on what’s really important – you. Find out how our personal injury law firm in Philadelphia can help you by calling now.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Sexual Assault in Philadelphia, PA
You might be surprised to learn that more than one person might be financially responsible for damages resulting from a sexual assault. Here’s a breakdown of potentially liable parties.
The Person Who Sexually Assaulted You
It’s not only against the law to sexually assault another person. It’s also considered a tort. A tort is defined as an “act or omission that gives rise to injury or harm to another and amounts to a civil wrong for which courts impose liability.” In other words, a tort occurs when someone does something that infringes a legal right of yours and causes harm.
This means that you can hold your attacker personally accountable for the harm they’ve caused by sexually assaulting you. This includes:
- Strangers
- Acquaintances
- Clergy members
- Coaches
- Teachers
- Nursing home staff and caregivers
- Hospital workers
- Employees at local bars, restaurants, or businesses, and more.
At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll help you pursue damages from your attacker, regardless of who they are.
A Property Owner in Philadelphia
When you venture out in Philadelphia, you shouldn’t have to be overly concerned about your safety. This is particularly true when you’re visiting a business or establishment in the city. In Pennsylvania, property owners have a duty to keep their guests safe.
This not only involves keeping their premises in safe conditions but also taking certain security measures. If an owner knows or should know that there’s a reasonable threat of violence or crime, they must take steps to stop an attack before it happens. That might involve something as simple as installing security cameras or something more involved, such as hiring security staff. What’s necessary ultimately depends on the potential threat.
If you were sexually assaulted, at least in part, because the owner of the property had inadequate security measures in place, you might have a legitimate case for damages.
A Business or Employer
Were you assaulted by an employee at a bar, restaurant, or other business in Philadelphia? Were you sexually assaulted by your Uber driver or Lyft driver? If so, you might be able to look to the employer for compensation. Why? Employers have a responsibility to screen job candidates, hire competent staff, and monitor employee conduct. If an employee was negligently hired or not adequately supervised, the employer might be on the hook for your injuries.
Schools
Sadly, there are many sexual assaults in school. That often happens as a result of negligent hiring practices or a dismal student-to-teacher ratio. If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted at a school in Philadelphia County, the school might be financially responsible.
It’s important to consider all sources of liability. In doing so, you can ensure that you’ll be best positioned to secure maximum compensation. At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll dig deep to figure out what led to your attack, why it happened, and ultimately, who’s to blame. Then we won’t hesitate to pursue compensation from everyone who is responsible.
How Criminal Sexual Assault Charges Might Impact Your Personal Injury Case
The person who sexually assaulted you can and should face criminal charges for their unforgivable actions. Here are a few things you should know if that happens:
- Criminal and civil cases are independent of one another. The results of one will not automatically influence the result of the other.
- The burden of proof in criminal and civil cases is different. The burden is much lower in civil cases. This means that, in most cases, it’s easier for you to prevail in a civil sexual assault case than it is for the state to convict.
- Criminal cases and civil cases can proceed simultaneously. However, many times, civil cases are stayed – or put on hold – until the criminal charges have been resolved. This allows the defendant to focus all of their attention on the criminal case, where the potential consequences are most severe.
Here’s the important takeaway – civil sexual assault cases can be challenging. They can become more complicated when there’s a related criminal matter. So, you need to make sure that you work with an attorney who has experience handling cases like yours.
Don’t hesitate to call the Philadelphia sexual assault lawyers at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case today. We’ll gladly listen to your side of the story, outline your rights, and offer some preliminary guidance as you decide what to do.
Compensation Available in Philadelphia Sexual Assault Injury Cases
Whether you decide to sue your attacker, a business with deeper pockets, or both, there are certain damages that you’ll be entitled to request. This includes money for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Emotional distress
- Therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost income and wages
- Disability, and more.
The emotional and psychological consequences of sexual assault can be just as devastating – if not more so – than the physical trauma you endure. These types of injuries are very subjective. The value can vary significantly from one case to another. For that reason, our law firm will not hesitate to bring in experts.
We’ll consult medical professionals, mental health professionals, vocational experts, authorities on sexual assault, and anyone else who might be able to help us appreciate the extent of your trauma and how it might impact your life. This information will be invaluable as we build your case and demand compensation on your behalf.
Time Limits For Filing a Sexual Assault Injury Lawsuit in Philadelphia
If you’ve been sexually assaulted or attacked in Philadelphia, you’ll have a limited amount of time to file a civil lawsuit. Under Pennsylvania state law, the statute of limitations for these types of cases is typically two years from the date of the incident. This includes claims filed against your attacker or a negligent third party.
There is one big exception. When a sexual assault involves a minor, the statute of limitations does not begin to run right away. Instead, the clock doesn’t begin to run until the victim turns 18.
Keep in mind that you’ll be barred from recovering compensation if you do not file your claim on time. So, it is critical to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia as soon as you can after you’ve been assaulted. The team at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can begin to work on your sexual assault case right away.
Our Philadelphia Sexual Assault Lawyers Are Ready to Help You Now
No one should ever have to experience what you’ve been through. The person who hurt you and the people who allowed it to happen must be held fully accountable. Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers will work tirelessly to make that happen. Give our sexual assault attorneys in Philadelphia a call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
