Contact a sexual assault lawyer today.

Chicago Sexual Assault Lawyer

Recovering from sexual assault or abuse can be a long and arduous process, and survivors will tell you that the emotional wounds might never fully heal. Survivors of sexual assault sometimes struggle to find their voice and may not be able to speak about the incident right away.

When survivors do speak out, the perpetrators often face criminal charges for what they’ve done. While a conviction can provide victims of sexual assault a measure of justice, it might not be enough to help them rebuild their lives after such a traumatic experience.

Sexual assault victims may choose to file a civil action against their abuser and potentially those who facilitated the misconduct or those who had a duty to protect them but failed to do so. In a civil action, victims can seek financial compensation in the form of damages from the parties responsible for the assault. These cases can be challenging to pursue, so it is critical to hire an experienced Chicago sexual assault attorney to fight for the justice you deserve.

For more than four decades, the Chicago personal injury attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have fought for the rights of victims of sexual assault and abuse. Our skilled and compassionate team has earned a reputation for representing victims of sexual assault and their families, whether the victim was a child, an adult, or an elderly person. Our attorneys work to hold perpetrators and negligent organizations accountable for sexual assault and abuse, and we do so to benefit the family and our community as a whole.

Our team is ready to provide you with sensitive, compassionate, and knowledgeable legal counsel during this difficult time. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with us by calling (877) 568-9745 or filling out an online contact form.

Types of Sexual Misconduct Claims

Sexual assault and abuse are unthinkable acts that have a lasting impact on the victim, not just physically, but emotionally as well. These acts are never acceptable, but they are even more abhorrent when the victim is particularly vulnerable like a child or elderly individual. Some of the types of cases our legal team assists clients with include:

  • Sexual Assault on Dangerous Properties
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Elder Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities

Victims of sex crimes should always start by contacting law enforcement. Police reports and investigations will be enormously important not only for the potential criminal charges against the perpetrator but also for any civil action you might need to file as well.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Sexual Misconduct?

In many cases, responsibility for a sexual assault lies with the offender who committed the act. In some cases, additional parties could also be liable.

For example, facilities or organizations could be liable in some instances for employing dangerous people. In other cases, organizations may not have had adequate security for the protection of victims.

Sexual assault can occur anywhere, but specific facilities and organizations have a particular duty of care that may make the offender’s employer liable for their conduct. Entities could be responsible for sexual assaults that occur at:

  • Nursing homes
  • Schools
  • Daycare centers
  • Foster homes and facilities
  • Churches
  • Medical facilities
  • Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other organizations
  • Hotels
  • Apartment buildings

Determining the liability of these other parties could be essential to recovering compensation. The offender, in many cases, may not have the personal wealth or assets available to pay any awards that are ordered by the court. In such cases, third-party liability may represent a victim’s best chance at recovering compensation.

What Is the Difference Between a Civil Lawsuit and a Criminal Sexual Assault Case?

A sexual assault can result in criminal charges filed against the offender, and it is usually the state that is the plaintiff in these cases. A criminal case seeks to impose penalties such as fines and imprisonment on offenders, but criminal cases generally do not result in any compensation being paid to victims.

Civil lawsuits, on the other hand, are filed by the victims who serve as the plaintiffs. The civil actions are intended to compensate the victims for their injuries.

It is important to understand that a person does not have to be convicted in a criminal case in order to be held civilly liable. Talk to an experienced Chicago sexual assault lawyer today to learn about your legal rights and how we can help if you or a loved one has been the victim of such a crime.

Compensation for Sexual Assault Victims

Sexual assault victims can suffer serious injuries, depending on the specific circumstances of the attack. It is possible that a victim will be unable to return to work, possibly because of the nature of their injuries or because of emotional trauma. Both medical expenses and lost wages are two types of economic damages that can be awarded in civil claims.

It is also possible for a person to be awarded non-economic damages for other kinds of harm that are more subjective. For example, a person could be awarded compensation for pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life. Survivors of sexual assault often describe the emotional toll of the attack as being crippling for months, years, and even a lifetime. They may suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and may also feel suicidal.

All the physical and emotional harm that a person suffers in the aftermath of a sexual assault will be taken into account during a civil claim, and the victim’s attorney will seek compensation for these damages accordingly.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Sexual Abuse Attorney?

Do not let concerns about money prevent you from contacting a lawyer to discuss your sexual assault case. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., an initial consultation with an attorney is always free, and we only handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay any retainer fees or any fees associated with your representation upfront. By working on contingency, we will only collect money if we win your case and secure compensation for you.

Paying for qualified and experienced legal representation should never be a struggle, and we make sure our clients don’t feel a bit of stress or strain about being able to afford the justice they deserve.

Contact a Chicago Sexual Assault Lawyer Now

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our attorneys are here to protect you and your family if you or someone close to you was the victim of a sexual assault. We are ready to hold the perpetrator and any organization that shared responsibility for what happened to you accountable. Don’t suffer silently, and don’t let this horrific incident go unpunished.

Call (877) 568-9745 or contact us online to receive a free consultation from a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney today.