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Fort Smith Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Passion, Trust, Results.
$450+ Million Recovered



Legally Reviewed by:

Jonathan Rosenfeld

J.D

  • Over $450 Million worth of case results

  • Awarded The Best Lawyer in 2024 by U.S. News

  • Nationally Recognized in Legal Community

Fort Smith is the third-biggest city in Arkansas, and unfortunately, it has a crime rate that matches the population. According to recent reports, it has one of the highest crime rates in the United States, and that includes sexual abuse and assault cases.

If you are a victim of these crimes, our team of sexual abuse lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help. We are committed to supporting abuse survivors and helping them seek justice for their pain and suffering.  

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 want to do our part to help you receive the highest compensation you can get based on the sexual abuse that you faced. Our legal team is here to help and has a proven track record of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts when handling sexual abuse cases.

$21,000,000

Hotel sexual assault case

$15,000,000

Coach grooming and abuse

$6,500,000

Cruise ship rape settlement

$6,350,000

Negligent security assault

$6,000,000

Child sexual abuse lawsuit

$5,000,000

Therapist sexual abuse  settlement

We partner with you to thoroughly investigate these cases, ensuring all medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering are well compensated. Our deeply experienced team of sexual abuse lawyers fights relentlessly on your behalf.

Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault

Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act with another by forcible compulsion, with someone who is incapable of consent, or with a minor. It is often more severe than sexual abuse, which is a broader term that could encompass different forms of non-consensual sexual activities of varying severity. 

Sexual abuse includes sexual assault, and they both include a lack of consent given to the sexual activities that occurred. Sexual abuse is common in places where there is an imbalance of power, and people use that to their benefit to extract sexual favors. 

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

Common forms of sexual abuse cases that we take on at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are:

  • Sexual Harassment: Involves unwelcome sexual advances, whether verbal, physical, or visual.
  • Rape: Nonconsensual penetration, often through force or coercion.
  • Stalking: Being followed, often accompanied by various forms of sexual harassment.
  • Voyeurism: Being watched in a sexual or private setting without your consent.
  • Exhibitionism: Being exposed to someone engaging in sexual acts in a public setting.
  • Child Sexual Abuse: The assault of a minor by an adult or another minor.
  • Incest: Sexual behavior between family members.

A dedicated sexual assault lawyer in Fort Smith can help you understand what sexual harassment you may have faced and what legal action you should take for justice. 

Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur

Unfortunately, there are common institutions that can take advantage of vulnerable individuals. Cases we handle at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers include:

  • Workplace: Employees may face harassment or abuse from supervisors or colleagues.
  • Inpatient Treatment Facilities: Patients seeking treatment for physical or mental health issues can be vulnerable to abuse by caregivers.
  • Prisons, Juvenile Detention Centers, and Correctional Facilities: Incarcerated individuals may be subjected to abuse by guards or other inmates.
  • Foster Care: Children placed in foster care may be sexually harassed by caregivers.
  • Shelters: Individuals seeking refuge might experience abuse by staff or other residents.
  • Daycare Facilities and Nursing Homes: Children and older adults are at risk of abuse by caregivers.
  • Sports Clubs: Athletes, particularly minors, may face harassment from coaches, trainers, or fellow athletes.
  • Educational Institutions: Students can be vulnerable to abuse by teachers, coaches, or other staff members.
  • Religious Institutions: Clergy or other religious leaders may exploit individuals seeking spiritual support.
  • Military Institutions: Service members can experience harassment from superiors or fellow soldiers.
  • Hotels and Short-Term Rentals: Guests may be vulnerable to abuse during their stay.

Steps to Take If You Are a Victim

If you’ve been sexually abused, there are steps you can take to pursue justice.

  1. Take immediate steps to exit the situation to ensure your safety and well-being. If you need support, local resources and shelters are available in Fort Smith, AR.
  2. Document the abuse. It will be challenging, but write down what happened, when, where, and so forth. Take screenshots of texts and note anyone who witnessed the sexual abuse. You can file a report with the police or officials about where it happened, whether at work, school, or another institution.
  3. Reach out to a sexual abuse attorney like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. We can help you navigate the legal process to receive financial compensation in your quest for justice. We will help investigate the claim and advocate on your behalf in court. 
  4. Survivors of sexual abuse in Fort Smith can access local support through organizations like the Fort Smith Crisis Intervention Center or Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Students can seek support at Arkansas Tech University or the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.  

Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims

Sexual abuse attorneys like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you seek financial compensation when you file charges against your perpetrator. The types of compensation vary and can include:

  • Emotional trauma like therapy, counseling, and mental health treatment costs.
  • Medical expenses for hospital bills, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy costs, and other related costs. 
  • Pain and suffering that you faced as a result of the attack. 
  • Lost wages, including any past, current, or future wages that were lost as a result of the sexual abuse. 
  • Punitive damages are a type of compensation usually awarded in legal cases to punish the offender and deter them and others from engaging in similar behavior.

Not everyone is eligible for all types of compensation, and the amount you receive depends on several factors.

  • Severity of abuse
  • Length of abuse
  • Impact of the abuse
  • The age of the victim
  • Evidence of the harassment

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to provide sexual abuse victims with legal representation, serving as their advocate throughout the entire legal process. If you have faced sexual harassment in Fort Smith, AR, we can help you.

We focus on all types of personal injury, and we have helped our clients recover more than $450 million in settlements for different kinds of personal injury, including sexual and child assault. 

We are well-versed in sexual abuse law and can help you get justice if you have been sexually abused in any situation. We are committed to making sure everyone responsible is brought to justice.

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Liability refers to the legal responsibility that individuals or institutions may have for the harm caused by the assault. This concept applies to both the direct perpetrators of the abuse and any institutions that may have enabled or failed to prevent it.

Institutions can be held liable for:

  • Negligence in preventing abuse
  • Failure to report incidents
  • Inadequate responses to complaints

For example, if they don’t run background checks or adequately supervise, they could be held responsible for creating environments where harassment can occur. In Fort Smith, they can be held vicariously liable, meaning they are responsible for the actions of their employees, even if they did not directly cause the abuse. 

This accountability applies to various settings, including educational institutions like Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, which can be held liable under Title IX regulations. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex and other forms of protected characteristics and mandates that schools take action to prevent and respond to sexual abuse. 

Additionally, power dynamics within religious communities can lead to institutions being held answerable when clergy exploit their authority to abuse individuals.

The sexual abuse law is clear, but institutions don’t always follow the procedures set in place. When they fail to do so, your sexual abuse lawyer at our law firm is here to ensure they are held accountable.

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

While it’s much more complex in practice, there are really three steps that we will follow to help prove a sexual abuse case.

  1. Gather evidence: The first step is to collect all available details related to the case, including any documentation you already have, such as medical treatment records, witness statements, and other relevant information.
  2. Prove negligence or intentional misconduct: We build a case around the evidence to prove not only that the abuse occurred but also liability for all parties involved.
  3. Demonstrate the link between abuse and harm: This often involves connecting the dots between the abuse and its physical, emotional, or psychological impacts. Legal experts and investigators play a vital role throughout this process, helping to gather and analyze evidence, build a compelling case, and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.

The Role of Fort Smith Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Legal support can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. A Fort Smith sexual abuse attorney’s role is as follows. 

  • We help you navigate the legal system, offering comprehensive legal representation, support, and recommendations for the right course of action, including the type of claim you should file.
  • We help investigate your claim, examine the case details, and gather more information on your behalf.
  • We represent you in court, advocating on your behalf in the justice system. 

Achieving justice on your behalf and recovering compensation are our biggest priorities at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. We advocate for victims of sexual abuse and help them to move on with their lives. 

The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Fort Smith, AR

If you were the victim of child sexual abuse, a recent law was passed that states child abuse victims can file a claim until the age of 55. It was previously only 21, which means many victims of sexual assault will be able to pursue legal action and achieve justice. 

Otherwise, how long you have to take legal action in Fort Smith depends on the type of sexual assault, the severity of the assault, and if there is DNA evidence. Some cases allow only three years to file, while others have no statute of limitation.

Contact a Dedicated Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers want to help victims of sexual abuse in Fort Smith, AR get justice for the crimes that were committed against them. We are committed to representing you to the highest extent of the law and getting you compensation for your personal harm.

Contact (888) 424-5757 or fill out this form to schedule your free consultation today. An experienced attorney will help you with all your legal needs.

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Client Reviews

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

– Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own.

– Ethan Armstrong

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

– Giulia

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you.

– Daniel Kaim

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother’s death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial.

– Lisa

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Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

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