Germantown Sexual Abuse Lawyer 

Sexual abuse leaves deep and lasting scars on survivors, affecting every aspect of their lives. In Germantown, MD, the risk of becoming a victim of a violent crime, including sexual assault, is a stark reality, with statistics showing a 1 in 301 chance of falling prey to such offenses. [1]

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are committed to supporting abuse survivors in Germantown, offering compassionate and skilled legal representation to help you seek justice and begin the healing process.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to recovering the highest compensation for our clients who have been the victims of sexual abuse, allowing them to recoup the cost of all medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and so much more.

We are your compassionate advocate, fighting relentlessly to protect your rights and help you get justice for the crimes committed against you. Our experienced legal team will help you prioritize your healing and financial recovery so you can start moving on. 

Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault

Sexual abuse is any type of sexual contact with anyone unable to consent, including minors and those with physical or mental disabilities. Sexual assault is non-consensual sexual contact, including touching, fondling, or the physical act of sex itself. 

Ultimately, sex crimes in Maryland are about a lack of consent. You did not ask for sexual behavior or attention. Instead, another person used their power to force it on you. If this happened to you, you have rights, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you seek justice. 

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse or sexual assault is broad, so it may be difficult to know if you have been a victim. Common forms of sexual abuse include: 

• Rape: Non-consensual sexual intercourse, often involving force, threats, or coercion.
• Sexual harassment: Verbal, physical, or even visual unwanted sexual behaviors.
• Exhibitionism: When someone sexually 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: Sexual abuse against a minor or between minors.
• Clergy Abuse: Sexual abuse committed by religious leaders who exploit their position of trust and authority.

Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur

We handle sexual abuse cases in Germantown across various institutions. They include:

• Workplace: Employees may be vulnerable to harassment or abuse from supervisors, colleagues, or clients who exploit their positions of power.
• In-patient treatment facilities: Individuals may be assaulted at rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and more by the staff and other in-patients. 
• Criminal justice system: People may be abused in prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and correctional facilities by staff and other inmates
• Foster care system: There are many instances of abuse in foster homes and other government facilities for children.
• Care facilities: Nursing homes, daycares, adult care centers, and other types of care facilities can attract abusers. 
• Educational institutions: Students of all ages can face abuse in schools and universities. 
• Religious institutions: Many religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, have faced allegations of sexual abuse. The abuse can also happen at camps and religious-affiliated programs.
• Sports clubs: Children who play on sports clubs at school or private teams can face abuse by their coaches or teammates. 
• Military institutions: Members of the U.S. armed forces sometimes face military sexual trauma during their service. 
• Hospitality industry: People can be abused in hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb by staff members and other guests.
• Shelters: Often, homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, etc., have cases of abuse between the residents and staff. 
• Medical Facilities: Abuse can occur in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings by medical personnel.

Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault

If you are a victim of sexual assault, taking the right steps afterward is crucial for your safety and future legal action.

• Prioritize your safety. Take immediate steps to protect yourself, including removing yourself from the situation.
• Document the abuse. Write down everything you can remember that happened, including who, what, where, when, and why. Write down witness names or take pictures. File a report with the police or other authorities if possible.
• Seek legal representation from qualified sexual abuse lawyers like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. We can help you build your case and take it through the legal justice system to get justice.
• Survivors in Germantown, MD, can access support through organizations like the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. You can find a full list of the Victim Services providers in the Montgomery County directory. 

Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims

Germantown sexual abuse victims can recover compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses 
• Mental health expenses (therapy, counseling, and other mental health treatment)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Lost wages 

These damages include past, current, and future issues that may occur as a result of the sexual abuse. The total amount you can receive may vary based on: 

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

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Liability is an important factor when it comes to sexual abuse claims, and both individuals and institutions can be held responsible for such cases. There are several legal grounds where you can hold institutions liable for sex crimes, including:

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

Examples of these behaviors include inadequate background checks, insufficient supervision, and creating an environment where abuse can occur. Under the law, institutions can be vicariously liable or responsible for another’s actions.

Federally funded institutions are also held to Title IX standards, which prevents discrimination and other behaviors under protected characteristics. Religious institutions may be held liable if they fail to address power imbalances, neglect to investigate allegations or cover up incidents of abuse.

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

As we look to establish liability in sexual abuse cases, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers focus on three areas. 

• Evidence: What proof do you have that the sexual abuse occurred? This documentation should include evidence against the perpetrator and any institution or third party involved.
• Negligence or intentional misconduct: As we build the case, our goal is to demonstrate that the abuse occurred due to institutional negligence or the offender’s deliberate actions.
• The link between abuse and harm: Once we have the case, we must show the physical harm and emotional distress that occurred as a result of the sexual abuse and how the institution or third party played a role in it.

There are many nuances and complexities to sexual assault cases. Our legal experts and investigators work diligently to uncover critical evidence and interview witnesses, building a strong case to help us win the lawsuit. 

How Our Germantown Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are committed to helping sexual assault victims get justice. 

• We help you navigate the legal system, serving as your guide and suggesting legal actions to maximize your compensation.
• We investigate and build a strong case against the perpetrator(s) and any liable institutions or third parties.
• We help you win by advocating for you in the Germantown legal system.

We have a proven track record of success in sexual assault cases, and we know what to look out for to help you get justice. We treat all our clients with care and compassion, which is why we are among the top trusted sexual assault lawyers in Germantown. 

The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Germantown

All adult victims of sexual abuse in Germantown have three years from the date of the abuse to file a claim. If the abuse happened when you were a minor, there is no statute of limitations.

This change is thanks to the 2023 Child Victims Act, which Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed into law. It removed the prior statute of limitation from child sexual abuse cases. Now, you can file a claim in Maryland regardless of when the child sex abuse occurred.

Contact a Germantown Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today!

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping victims of sexual abuse seek justice for the crimes committed against them in Germantown. We offer compassionate and dedicated legal support to ensure your rights are protected. Let us help you take the first step towards healing and holding those responsible accountable.

Contact us at 888-424-5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation today. 

Related Practice Areas

• Baltimore Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Columbia Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Silver Spring Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Waldorf Sexual Abuse Lawyer

References: [1] NeighborhoodScout