Youth sports in Chicago are an incredibly popular channel for young people to engage in sports and create social connections. Unfortunately, some individuals with ill intentions become involved in these programs and take advantage of young participants. If you have suffered because of sexual misconduct in this type of program, a Chicago youth sports sexual abuse lawyer can help you recover compensation and hold the perpetrator accountable.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is an experienced law firm that has served many victims of sexual violence as they seek justice. We can investigate your claim and build a strong case to increase your chances of securing a fair settlement.
Our law firm has secured the following settlements for victims of sexual contact in youth sports settings:
Experience and a strong reputation are essential when choosing a legal team to represent you in a civil claim. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has consistently maintained a five-star rating from AVVO. The firm is also recognized among the top 5% of attorneys by Super Lawyers.
Sexual assault or abuse can thrive in youth sports environments for multiple reasons:
Sexual assault can have devastating consequences on the victim that go far beyond the physical injuries. Here are some of the most common challenges that victims of sexual assault or abuse face:
Although the sexual violence cannot be undone, victims of sexual abuse can pursue justice with a civil lawsuit. If successful, you can obtain compensation for legal damages:
Economic Damages
Non-Economic Damages
Sexual assault cases in youth sports are more common than many assume, but some incidents go unreported for years. The average settlement related to youth sports sexual abuse is $31.04 million, with a range from $25.3 million to $36.79 million. The reason for these high numbers is that many settlements involve multiple victims who have suffered ongoing non-economic losses.
Sexual abuse attorneys can play an essential role in helping you seek justice. Cases involving sexual assault can be extremely complex, especially if the behavior occurred years ago. Defendants may deny that any wrongdoing occurred or that there was mutual consent.
Our team will help you overcome these obstacles with a thorough investigation of the abuse. This may include gathering witness statements, past complaint reports, or medical expert testimony.
Many teenagers are sexually active today. Roughly 18.3% of high schoolers in Illinois reported that they were sexually active in 2021. However, some of these individuals have likely been victims of inappropriate sexual activity in a youth sports program.
Over 260 girls and women came forward to report that they were abused by just one man, gymnastics coach Larry Nassar, in 2017. This highlights the prevalence of the issue that can remain in the shadows for years. Illinois lawmakers are working hard to curb sexual assault trends in youth sports.
Sexual harassment and abuse can occur in many locations related to youth sports programs. Here are some common places in Chicago that may lead to inappropriate sexual contact:
Multiple state laws provide definitions for what constitutes sexual abuse and assault:
Adult victims who have experienced sexual assault or abuse have two years from the date of discovery or the date of the incident to file a claim for compensation to recover lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses (725 ILCS 5/13-202).
Since 2014, child victims of sexual assault cases have had no statute of limitations for pursuing damages. However, if the abuse occurred before 2014, you have 20 years after your 18th birthday to take legal action and hold the abuser accountable.
Potentially liable parties in sexual assault or abuse cases may include:
If you are pursuing a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment or abuse, the defendant may use the following arguments to undermine your claim:
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our experienced sexual assault attorneys can investigate your case, gather additional evidence, and obtain witness statements to support your claim. You can speak to one of our lawyers right away with a free and confidential consultation.
Building a strong claim can start the moment the abuse occurs. Here are the steps you should follow to support your legal options:
Our legal services include:
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win.
Criminal charges are separate from a personal injury lawsuit, so you can seek compensation regardless of whether criminal charges are being pursued.
Adult victims can seek damages and hold their abusers accountable. If the victim is a minor, a legal representative can be appointed to file on their behalf.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to help you win your civil lawsuit. Whether you are facing emotional distress, employment challenges, or high medical bills for your injuries, we charge no upfront fees for our legal services.
Our law firm can represent clients throughout the state from our Chicago office. Contact our personal injury lawyers today at 888-424-5757 to schedule your confidential consultation and discuss your legal options.
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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.