Sexual abuse and assault are some of the most traumatic experiences someone can go through. From physical injuries to lasting emotional and psychological impacts, it affects a person for the rest of their life. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has extensive experience seeking justice and compensation for survivors in Rhode Island.
Sexual abuse cases are sensitive, so having a legal team on your side who understands the delicate nature of these cases but won’t back down is what you need when you’re ready to seek justice.
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 focus on providing compassionate legal representation for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Our law firm protects clients’ rights throughout the process and pursue the maximum compensation possible to ensure they’re fairly compensated, and their attacker or abuser is held accountable for their actions.
Hotel sexual assault case
Coach grooming and abuse
Cruise ship rape settlement
Negligent security assault
Child sexual abuse lawsuit
Therapist sexual abuse settlement
We take the time to investigate these sensitive claims to build a strong case that helps us ensure we’re fighting for compensation that covers all of your damages. You can trust us to protect your rights and help you prioritize your healing and financial recovery.Â
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
Sexual assault and abuse are unimaginable experiences no one should have to go through. Some people aren’t even aware of what happened to them as sexual abuse or assault until years later. It can be anything from watching someone undress without them knowing to violent rape.
The main thing that makes something sexual abuse or assault is the lack of consent. Consent needs to be given continuously and without any coercion. It can be removed at any time.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault and abuse can manifest in several different ways. Some of the more common forms are:
- Incest: Sexual relations between two family members. While it can be between any two family members, it’s often between an older member and a child.Â
- Child Sexual Abuse: Any sexual behavior or act between an adult and a child.Â
- Sexual Assault and Rape: Non-consensual penetration, usually including some degree of force, but it doesn’t have to be violent to be raped.Â
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual touchings or comments.Â
- Digital Sexual Abuse: Sharing online or showing someone videos or photos of someone naked or performing sexual acts without their knowledge or consent.Â
- Voyeurism: Watching someone undress or perform sexual acts without them knowing someone’s watching.Â
- Statutory Rape: Intercourse between an adult and a minor, most often seen between an adult and a teenager who believe they can consent when they can’t.Â
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ve been able to win settlements for clients who experienced sexual abuse and assault in various institutions.
Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault
If you’ve experienced sexual assault in Rhode Island, taking action immediately is essential not only for your safety but for whenever you’re ready to file a civil suit. Some immediate steps to take include:
- Get yourself somewhere safe and away from your abuser or attacker if you’re able to.Â
- Seek medical attention even if you don’t have visible injuries.Â
- Report the sexual assault to your local law enforcement in Rhode Island.Â
- Document everything you can about the sexual abuse or assault.Â
- Preserve any evidence that you can.Â
- Seek support from loved ones and through survivors’ resources in Rhode Island, such as the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) or the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center.Â
- Consider hiring a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling sexual abuse and assault cases.Â
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
When you’ve been sexually abused or assaulted, no amount of money can erase what happened. Still, seeking financial compensation is a great way to hold everyone responsible accountable and get the financial assistance you need to rebuild your life. Some areas of compensation we’ve been able to secure for clients are:
- Medical and therapy expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of lifeÂ
- Pain and sufferingÂ
- Emotional distressÂ
- Lost wages
When you file your civil lawsuit, how much your settlement will be depends on factors such as:
- The impact the assault or abuse had on your life;Â
- The severity and duration of the abuse;Â
- The strength of the evidence;Â
- The degree of negligence by any responsible institutions.
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
As your personal injury lawyers, we’ll work to hold everyone accountable for what happened to you. This includes the individual perpetrator as well as any institution where their negligence played a role. We can hold institutions liable for sexual abuse or assault based on these principles:
- Vicarious Liability: In some cases, we can hold the institution liable for the actions of its employees, even if there was no negligence on the institution’s part.Â
- Failure to Report: When an institution is a mandated reporter and they choose not to report any suspicions or allegations of sexual abuse, they may be liable.Â
- Negligent Hiring or Supervision: When an organization fails to conduct appropriate background checks on employees or doesn’t provide adequate supervision, they can be held liable.Â
- Negligent Response to Complaints: If the institution was aware of suspected sexual abuse or assault but didn’t investigate or take action to remove the perpetrator, they could be held liable.Â
Institutional liability encompasses a wide range of things. An example of institutional liability is a hospital not conducting background checks on employees, and then one of those employees assaults or abuses a patient.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
When we claim sexual abuse in civil lawsuits, we have to be able to show the assault happened. Our Rhode Island sexual assault and abuse lawyers have established a comprehensive approach to establishing sexual abuse:
- Gather all the evidence we can, including physical evidence, police reports, and medical records.Â
- Creating a timeline of the events leading up to, during, and after the sexual abuse or assault.Â
- Collaborating with experts in their fields to corroborate what happened to you and its impact.Â
- Demonstrating how an institution is negligent (if applicable).Â
- Showing how the sexual assault or abuse impacted your life.Â
- Crafting a compelling and strong case to hold the perpetrator accountable.Â
How Our Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
If you’re ready to seek justice after being sexually abused or assaulted in Rhode Island, the attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you by:
- Providing you a safe place to tell your story confidentially and hear about your legal options.Â
- Looking into your sexual abuse or assault claim thoroughly to make sure we gather as much evidence as possible.Â
- Creating a legal strategy to secure the most compensation possible for your case.Â
- Negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel to reach a settlement agreement.Â
- Representing your case in court if we can’t reach a settlement outside of court.Â
- Providing you access to local resources to help you heal.Â
- Continuously providing support throughout the legal process.
The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Rhode Island
The statute of limitations is an essential thing to know for anyone who’s been sexually abused or assaulted. Every state has its own limitations on when survivors can file a civil lawsuit, and Rhode Island is no different.
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for sexual abuse is 35 years from the day that the abuse happened or seven years from when the victim discovered the abuse, whichever is later.
If the survivor was under 18 at the time of the assault or abuse, they have until they turn 53 to file a civil suit. If the victim was an adult at the time, the limit is three years from the date of the incident.
Contact a Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
Whether you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted or abused, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are ready to help you face your abuser, seek justice, and get the compensation you need to move on with your life. Our team has the experience, compassion, and drive to secure the highest possible settlement for your circumstances.
We know that it takes courage to come forward, and we’ll be there to guide you every step of the way. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation, or call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757.