Sexual abuse is a devastating crime with long-lasting effects that can impact every aspect of a survivor’s life. Anyone can be a victim of sex crimes in Waldorf, Maryland, and we are here for you if you need assistance navigating the legal process.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are committed to supporting abuse survivors, helping them bring their alleged abusers to 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 are dedicated to helping survivors of sexual abuse in Waldorf seek justice and the compensation they deserve. Our experienced legal team specializes in handling complex and sensitive sexual abuse cases, with a strong track record of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.
Hotel sexual assault case
Coach grooming and abuse
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Therapist sexual abuse settlement
We thoroughly investigate each case to ensure all aspects of the abuse, including emotional trauma, therapy costs, and other damages, are fully addressed. With our deep expertise in Maryland law and sexual abuse claims, we navigate the legal complexities effectively and fight relentlessly to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault
In Maryland, sexual abuse and sexual assault fall under the broad definition of sex crimes. Sex crimes are any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior.
Sexual abuse is any type of sexual activity with a minor or with someone unable to consent due to a mental or physical disability. Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact that is non-consensual, including touching or physical activity itself.
Many behaviors fall within these categories, stemming from a lack of consent and an abuse of power.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse
It may be difficult to understand if you are a survivor of sexual abuse, so here are some common forms that you can consider.
- Rape: Forced or coerced sexual intercourse or penetration against your will
- Sexual harassment: Verbal, physical, or even visual unwanted sexual behaviors
- Exhibitionism: Exposure of one’s genitals to another person without consent, often with the intent to shock or intimidate
- Voyeurism: Secretly watching others in private moments without their knowledge or consent, usually for sexual gratification
- Child sexual abuse: Sexual abuse against a minor or between minors
- Clergy Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse perpetrated by religious leaders or clergy members, often involving an abuse of power and trust
This list is not exhaustive. If you believe that you are a sexual abuse victim, you must contact a sex assault lawyer so you can understand your rights.
Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur
Because sexual abuse is often tied to an abuse of power, there are common institutions where sexual violence may occur. Unfortunately, these institutions are mainly those where people seek safety.
We handle sexual abuse cases in the following areas in Waldorf:
- Workplace: Supervisors, colleagues, or clients can abuse employees
- In-patient treatment facilities: Staff and other in-patients can harm patients at rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, etc.
- Criminal justice system: Staff or other inmates may perpetrate abuse at prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and correctional facilities
- Foster care system: Children can experience abuse either by their foster parents or other minors.
- Care facilities: Nursing homes, daycares, adult care centers, and other types of care facilities can foster abusive environments, often by staff or patients.
- Educational institutions: Teachers, staff, or other students can abuse students at school.
- Religious institutions: Many religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, have faced allegations of sexual abuse spanning decades at churches, camps, and religious-affiliated programs.
- Sports clubs: Coaches or teammates may abuse members of sports clubs.
- Military institutions: Members of the armed forces can face military sexual trauma during their service, including rape and abuse.
- Hospitality industry: Guests at hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb can be abused by staff members, guests, owners, and more.
- Shelters: Many victims of abuse turn to homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, etc., and may also be abused at these facilities.
- Medical facilities: Medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other staff members, can abuse vulnerable patients
Sexual assault can happen anywhere in Waldorf, so don’t be afraid to file a claim if any inappropriate behavior happens to you. We are here to help when you are ready to explore your legal options.
Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault
If you are the victim of sexual assault, you should consider taking the following steps, especially if you decide you want to file a claim against your abuser.
- Get yourself to safety. Find a safe space and ensure your well-being, even if it means removing yourself from your current environment.
- Document your abuse. Write everything down, and include all relevant details. Take pictures if applicable. File a police report or contact the local authorities. Do what you can to create a paper trail.
- Seek legal representation by contacting experienced sexual assault lawyers. Attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the process, treating you with care as we build a case. It is an emotional process but the only way to bring perpetrators to justice.
- Survivors in Waldorf can seek emotional support through organizations like the Center for Abused Persons or the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. You are not alone; these organizations can help you navigate the process.
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims
Survivors of sexual abuse could be entitled to compensation as a result of the crimes committed against them. There are different types of compensation available, including:
- Medical expenses
- Mental health expenses (therapy, counseling, and other mental health treatment)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
Each case is different, and how much you could receive depends on the following factors:
- Severity of abuse
- Length of abuse
- Impact of the abuse
- The age of the victim
- Evidence of the abuse
Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases
Liability is another word for responsibility, and individuals and institutions can be held liable in sexual abuse cases. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we can help you hold institutions accountable for:
- Negligence in preventing abuse
- Failure to report incidents
- Inadequate response to complaints
We can prove liability for failure to run proper background checks, insufficient supervision, and creating an environment where abuse can occur. If we can prove this, we can hold institutions vicariously liable, which means they may not have personally committed the crime, but they are still responsible for it.
If the sexual abuse occurred at an educational institution, you may also be able to pursue a case under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination and other behaviors against protected characteristics, like sex. Religious institutions can be held accountable if they exploit power dynamics, fail to supervise clergy, or cover up abuse, creating environments where abuse can occur.
How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case
To prove liability in Waldorf sex abuse cases, we focus on three core areas:
- Evidence: What proof do you have that the abuse occurred, especially against the individual perpetrator and the institution?
- Negligence or Intentional Misconduct: We establish whether the offender or institution was negligent or complicit in committing or failing to prevent the abuse.
- Linking Abuse to Harm: We demonstrate the connection between the abuse and the harm you suffered, both physically and emotionally, as a result of the abuse and the institution’s negligence.
Legal experts and investigators play a vital role in building a solid case by analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with specialists. Their expertise is essential in proving liability and securing the compensation you deserve.
How Our Waldorf Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our team of sexual abuse lawyers in Waldorf will stand with you throughout the process.
- We offer free and confidential consultation about your sexual assault case.
- We guide you through the complexities of the Maryland legal system and help you take the right legal actions to secure the maximum settlement possible.
- We help you build the strongest case, investigating all avenues on your behalf to uncover all evidence proving the abuse occurred.
- If necessary, we represent you in court and advocate on your behalf.
The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Waldorf, MD
There are different statutes of limitations in Waldorf, Maryland. Depending on the age of the victim, you have different time limits to file a claim.
Regardless of age, adults have three years from the date of the abuse to file a claim. Anything after three years, and the statute of limitations is up. Victims of child sexual abuse do not have a statute of limitations, thanks to the Child Victims Act of 2023.
This act removes the previous statute of limitation that gave victims until the age of 38 to file a claim. Now, victims of child sex abuse can seek justice at any age in Waldorf.
There are limitations to how much compensation you may be able to recover, especially if you are seeking damages against a government institution. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you understand how to maximize your compensation.
Contact a Waldorf Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual abuse in Waldorf, the dedicated team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help. We operate on a contingency fee basis and provide compassionate and transparent support, ensuring that you feel informed, empowered, and confident throughout the legal process.
To begin the process of seeking justice, contact us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.
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