In recent years, there has been an alarming number of sexual abuse cases in Baltimore. The city reports some of the highest rates of reported sexual violence within the state of Maryland, including against children [1].
The Maryland Attorney General released a report in 2023 detailing that over 600 children were subjected to clergy sexual abuse by 156 personnel associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore from the 1940s through 2002 [2].
This statistic highlights the massive problem the city currently faces in combating these heinous crimes. If you have been sexually victimized in any way, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help.
We are committed to supporting abuse survivors on their journey to overcome the immense personal injury and emotional trauma that occurs as a result of a sexual offense. We’ll work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you receive justice for your harm.
WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING SEXUAL ABUSE CASES INVOLVING INSTITUTIONS.
IF YOU HAVE A MATTER INVOLVING A RELATIVE OR ACQUAINTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we vow to advocate for you to receive substantial compensation for the abuse you endured. We have a proven track record in handling sexual abuse cases, and we take pride in protecting your rights.
Hotel sexual assault case
Coach grooming and abuse
Cruise ship rape settlement
Negligent security assault
Child sexual abuse lawsuit
Therapist sexual abuse settlement
Our team is compassionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable about handling your claim. We’ll listen to your story and gather all the necessary details and documentation. Then, our legal team will construct a solid case that will afford you a settlement to cover your medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages.
We understand it’s not the end of the road to recovery, but we hope to assist while you seek the necessary resources to address the physical and psychological harm you endured.
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
A sexual offense in Maryland is any type of nonconsensual sexual contact or behavior. Despite this basic understanding, the reason behind the lack of consent can vary. For example:
- Sexual abuse is any sexual act with someone who is unable to consent due to a mental or physical disability or if it’s done with a minor.
- Sexual assault is any type of nonconsensual sexual contact, including touching or physical activity.
Depending on the severity of the act, it could be a misdemeanor or a criminal offense.
Regardless of the type of sexual abuse that has occurred, it is centered around the lack of consent and an abuse of power.
You are not responsible for the abuse, and an experienced sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your options.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
Because the definition of sexual crimes in Maryland is broad, it might be difficult to know if you’re a victim. Examples of common forms of sexual abuse include:
- Rape: Unconsented sexual intercourse;
- Sexual Harassment: Verbal, physical, or even visual unwanted sexual advances;
- Exhibitionism: When someone exposes themselves to you in a public place without your consent;
- Voyeurism: When someone watches you where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy without your permission;
- Child Sexual Abuse: Sex abuse against a minor or between minors.
Even if no physical contact occurred, you can still be the victim of sexual abuse, and you have rights. An experienced sexual abuse attorney like those at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation and pursue justice.
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
Unfortunately, many institutions that should be safe are often environments that perpetuate sexual offenses due to the imbalance of power. Here are some examples of the cases we handle at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers:
- Workplace
- Inpatient Treatment Facilities
- Prisons and Correctional facilities
- Foster Care System (homes and government facilities)
- Daycare Facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Educational Institutions
- Religious Institutions (Catholic Church, Girls and Boy Scouts, camps, etc.)
- Sports Clubs (including private and public)
- Military Institutions
- Hospitality Industry
- Shelters
- Medical Facilities and Personnel
Sexual abuse can happen anywhere, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers know the legal system and how to fight to get what you’re owed in the name of justice.
Steps To Take if You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, there are steps you can take to help you if you want to file a sexual abuse claim.
- Take immediate steps to ensure your safety and well-being. Exit the situation and seek a safe place if needed.
- Document everything. Write down everything you can remember about the abuse, including who did it, where it happened, what happened, any witnesses, and other pertinent details.
- If applicable, take pictures of physical injuries. File a report with the police, human resources, or others in charge.
- When you’re ready, seek the help of a sexual abuse lawyer. They can help review your case and ask questions to learn more. Once they take on the case, they can investigate the claim and seek justice on your behalf.
- Survivors in Baltimore can access support through organizations like the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County and TurnAround. GBMC Healthcare has a complete list of resources available here to help victims of sexual abuse.
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
Sex abuse survivors in Baltimore can seek different types of compensation during legal proceedings, and we can help you get the highest settlement for the following:
- Medical Expenses (past, current, and future)
- Mental Health Expenses (therapy, counseling, and other mental health treatment)
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Trauma
- Lost Wages
Not all sexual offenses qualify for the same compensation, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will help you understand your options with a free case evaluation. Factors we consider include:
- Severity of abuse
- Length of abuse
- Impact of the abuse
- The age of the victim
- Evidence of the abuse
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
For Maryland sexual abuse offenses, both the individual perpetrators and the institutions they work for can be liable for sex crimes.
Institutions may be held responsible for:
- Negligence in preventing abuse
- Failure to report incidents
- Inadequate response to complaints
If authorities discover an institution failed to take the necessary precautions and thus helped to create environments where abuse can occur, they could be viewed as complicit in the abuse.
Examples include failing to conduct background checks or supervise effectively. These establishments will be held vicariously liable, which means they are responsible for another’s actions.
Federally funded educational institutions like Baltimore City College, Johns Hopkins University, Coppin State University, and others are also subject to Title IX regulations. These statutes prohibit discrimination and other illegal behaviors based on protected characteristics such as a person’s sex.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you prove your sexual abuse case in three primary areas.
- Evidence: We need to gather all the documentation and evidence that shows you were sexually abused.
- Proof of negligence and/or intentional misconduct: In addition to showing that the abuse happened, if applicable, we need to prove that institutions or other third parties are also liable for providing the environment where the abuse occurred.
- Link of abuse and harm: As we determine what damages we’re seeking, we need to show the abuse and harm caused a significant effect on your life, whether physically or emotional.
For sex abuse survivors in Baltimore, we understand it can be difficult to relive this situation, but it is the only way to move forward with the legal proceedings. We’ll do everything we can to handle the case with the empathy it deserves.
How Our Baltimore Sex Abuse Lawyers Can Help
When dealing with sensitive matters such as sexual abuse, you need people around you who you can trust. Here are the ways our team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help:
- We help you understand the legal system in Baltimore, recommending the appropriate legal actions for our clients to take both in criminal and civil court.
- We’ll investigate your claims and build a case to help you get compensation for your suffering.
- We stand by your side and passionately represent you in court throughout Baltimore County.
You deserve to have the most robust representation, and you get that when you partner with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.
The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Baltimore
In 2023, Governor Wes Moore signed Maryland’s Child Victims Act into law, which removes the statute of limitations for victims to file civil lawsuits. Now, anyone who was a victim of child sexual abuse can file a claim, regardless of how long ago the crime occurred.
This is a big win in Maryland. Previously, victims only had until they were 21 or 38 years old, depending on when they filed. Under some circumstances, damages may be limited depending on the specifics of the case. We can review these issues with you during a free consultation.
Otherwise, if you were an adult when the abuse occurred, you have three years to file a claim, both against the alleged abuser or any liable third party.
A sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand the best course of action, whether that involves working with law enforcement to pursue the maximum possible prison sentence for the abuser or seeking financial compensation through a civil lawsuit.
Contact a Baltimore Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual abuse, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to protect your rights and seek justice. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the emotional and physical trauma that victims of sexual abuse endure. Our compassionate and experienced legal team is committed to helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.
We will guide you through the legal process with care, ensuring that your case is handled with the sensitivity and attention it deserves. Reach out to us today for a confidential consultation, and let us help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Call our law firm at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form.
Related Practice Areas
- Columbia Sexual Abuse Lawyer
- Germantown Sexual Abuse Lawyer
- Silver Spring Sexual Abuse Lawyer
- Waldorf Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Resources: [1] Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault; [2] Maryland Attorney General