Henry County Sexual Abuse Lawyer
The criminal justice system can levy criminal penalties against those convicted of sex crimes, but it cannot force abusers to pay damages for the mental and emotional harm their actions cause. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or assault, you may be able to seek such compensation through a civil lawsuit instead.
If you experienced sexual abuse and would like to hold your abuser financially accountable, a seasoned personal injury attorney could help. With assistance from a compassionate Henry County sexual abuse lawyer, you might be able to recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial toll an abuser’s actions took on your life and wellbeing.
Statutes of Limitations in Henry County
Statutes of limitations are state laws which place a time limit on when victims may file a lawsuit against parties responsible for injuring them. Under the Official Code of Georgia §9-3-33, adult abuse survivors usually have two years from the date of the incident to file civil lawsuits against their perpetrators. Failure to file within this time frame may lead to a plaintiff being unable to seek any damages at all. An experienced lawyer could help an individual file a claim within the statute of limitations.
Difference in Statutes for Under Age Victims
As per O.C.G.A. §9-3-33.1, civil suits stemming from childhood sexual abuse are subject to a separate statute of limitations than regular personal injury actions. In these cases, victims of childhood sexual abuse have five years from the date that they turned 18 in which they may file a civil action for damages.
Compensation for Survivors of Abuse
While it can be difficult, if not impossible, to adequately compensate a sexual abuse victim for all the maltreatment they experienced, they could still benefit from pecuniary compensation. Financial recovery may be able to provide coverage for emotional trauma, lost income, medical, psychological and counseling expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the attack or abuse. A compassionate Henry County sexual abuse attorney could help an individual survivor identify damages they may be eligible to seek and file a comprehensive suit for all their injuries and losses.
Finding Fault in a Case
It is important to note that abusers may not be the only individuals or entities who an abuse survivor could hold civilly liable for the abuse or attack that occurred. For example, an organization may be responsible for an incident if they failed to adequately protect the victim, either by allowing the abuser to remain employed or otherwise condoning or facilitating their behavior before, during, or after the incident.
In such a case, injured individuals might be able to file civil lawsuits against—and seek damages from—more than one responsible party. Speak to a sexual abuse attorney in Henry County for further clarification about this could be accomplished in a particular case.
How a Henry County Sexual Abuse Attorney Could Help
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse and assault, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries in the civil court system. If you wish to do so, filing a civil lawsuit is a viable way for you to confront your abuser and hold them financially accountable for their actions.
A Henry County sexual abuse lawyer could help you pursue a civil suit against your abuser to get you the justice you deserve. Call today to set up a private consultation and get started on your case.
