Sexual assault and abuse are deeply traumatic events for the survivor. These events leave lasting psychological impacts as well as potentially physical impacts. That’s why the attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are committed to seeking justice and compensation for sexual abuse survivors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
We have an experienced and compassionate legal team that knows what it takes to reach a settlement that matches the sexual assault or abuse you went through.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a trusted sexual abuse law firm serving Pittsburgh, ready to protect the rights of survivors. We are dedicated to seeking justice and compensation for those who want to see their abuser face justice and start to move on with their lives.
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, experienced, and committed to building strong cases and advocating for the highest compensation possible based on your case. With expertise in this area of the law, we can secure high settlements that financially help survivors leave this chapter in the past.
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
Sexual abuse and assault are any unwanted sexual acts. The acts that fall under these terms can range in severity from unwanted comments to sexual violence like rape. Sexual assault and abuse are characterized by a lack of consent and often some sort of power imbalance between the victim and the perpetrator.
Unwanted sexual activity can happen to anyone, anywhere, when there’s no consent. Consent is something that has to be given. It can also be removed at any point.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
Several actions or behaviors constitute sexual abuse and assault. The most common forms include:
- Sexual Assault and Rape: Non-consensual intercourse between two people, often including some form of sexual violence.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted comments or touches of a sexual nature.
- Child Sexual Abuse: Any sexual act or behavior between an adult and a child.
- Voyeurism: Watching someone undress or perform sexual acts without their knowledge or consent.
- Incest: Intercourse between two family members, usually between an older relative and a child.
- Statutory Rape: Sexual assault or intercourse between an adult and minor, usually between an adult and teenager who believe they consented, but their age prevents them from consenting.
- Digital Sexual Abuse: Also known as revenge porn, showing or sharing videos and photos of someone undressed or performing sexual acts without their consent.
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
Sexual assault and abuse can be committed by anyone in any location. That being said, there are certain institutions where they’re more common and that Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experience with bringing to justice:
- Workplace: There are often power imbalances within the workplace, leading to sexual harassment or assault.
- Inpatient Treatment Facilities: Patients in rehabilitation programs are vulnerable to staff and other patients sexually abusing or assaulting them.
- Prisons and Correctional Facilities: Inmates are often susceptible to being attacked by other inmates or corrections officers while incarcerated.
- Foster Care: Children in the foster care system are often moved from place to place, making them more vulnerable to sexual abuse.
- Daycare Facilities and Nursing Homes: Children and the elderly in daycare facilities and nursing homes are there to be cared for, but some people take advantage of their position and commit abuse.
- Educational Institutions: Whether it’s elementary schools or college campuses, these are common places where sexual assault occurs.
- Religious Institutions: Clergy members sometimes take advantage of members of their congregation.
- Sports Clubs: Coaches, team doctors, and other athletes sometimes sexually abuse others in the club.
- Military Institutions: Sexual abuse in the military happens more than it should, but we’ll fight to protect your rights.
- Hotels and Short-Term Rentals: Transient locations like these make it easy for predators to find their victims.
- Shelters: People take advantage of the vulnerability of those living in shelters.
Steps to Take If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted
If you’ve been sexually assaulted in Pittsburgh, there are steps you can take immediately after to ensure you’re safe and able to file civil charges if you choose:
- Move to somewhere safe and away from your attacker.
- Seek medical attention and ask for a rape kit.
- Report the abuse or assault to Pittsburgh authorities.
- Document everything you can about the sexual assault or abuse.
- Preserve evidence by not washing clothes or showering.
- Seek support from loved ones or local resources like Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR).
- Hire an experienced sexual assault attorney.
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help recover damages for survivors of sexual assault and abuse in Pittsburgh. Based on your case’s specifics, we’ll fight for the highest compensation possible. Types of compensation we’ve been successful in securing for our clients include:
- Cost of medical care
- Therapy expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
Since every sexual assault or abuse civil case is a little different, we’ll determine a fair amount based on your specific case. Factors that can impact your total settlement are:
- The duration and severity of the abuse
- The strength of the evidence
- The impact on your life (like if you suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- The degree of negligence by any liable institutions
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
For your civil case, we might be able to hold an institution liable for your sexual assault or abuse in addition to the perpetrator. Institutional liability is when an institution does something that caused the assault or allowed it to happen, whether intentionally or accidentally. We can hold institutions liable on the grounds of:
- Vicarious liability
- Negligent hiring, retention, or supervision
- Failing to report
There are often power imbalances within institutions, which can lead to someone being sexually assaulted or abused within its walls. An example of institutional liability is in clergy abuse cases, where the church chooses to ignore the allegations or transfer the clergy member without real action.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
Being able to prove sexual assault or abuse happened is essential when we take on a civil lawsuit. It requires a compassionate yet strategic approach, including:
- Gathering evidence such as police reports, medical records, and physical evidence.
- Establishing a timeline of the events leading up to, during, and after the sexual assault.
- Seeking expert testimony that can strengthen your case.
- Demonstrating how an institution where the sexual assault occurred was negligent.
- Showing how the sexual assault impacted your life.
- Building a solid case and compelling narrative to show the full scope of your experience.
How Our Pittsburgh Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault regain control of their lives and choices. The ways that we can help survivors are:
- Providing a safe place for a free and confidential consultation.
- Thoroughly investigating your claim to gather all the evidence we can.
- Crafting the best legal strategy based on the evidence we have.
- Negotiating with opposing counsel and insurance companies on your behalf.
- Representing you in court if a settlement can’t be reached in negotiations.
- Offering support resources to help you through the psychological trauma caused by the assault or abuse.
- Giving you continuous support throughout the case so you never have to question what’s happening.
The Time Limits for Filing a Civil Claim in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Victims of sexual assault or abuse who are interested in pursuing legal action should be aware of the statute of limitations for these cases. Criminal cases might have a different statute of limitations, but for civil cases of sexual abuse, the statute of limitations is:
- For childhood sexual abuse, victims have until they turn 30 to file a civil lawsuit.
- For adult sexual abuse or assault, they have until two years after the incident.
Contact a Pittsburgh Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
When it comes to civil sexual abuse lawsuits, you need a legal team on your side that understands how to get not only justice but the maximum compensation for your damages. The attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will work relentlessly to ensure you get the financial compensation you deserve and that your abuser is held accountable.
With our compassionate approach that combines experience and determination, we can help sexual abuse and assault survivors in Pittsburgh. If you’re ready to regain control, contact us online to schedule your free consultation, or call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757.
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