Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Attorney

Sexual abuse is a devastating crime that wreaks havoc in the lives of survivors. People who experience sexual abuse can suffer long-term emotional and psychological damages. Sexual abuse in the workplace can cause repercussions such as the loss of a job. If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse a compassionate Los Angeles sexual abuse attorney from Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can help. Please contact us for a free and 100% confidential discussion about how we may be able to help you obtain justice and compensation.

Why Trust Rose, Klein & Marias LLP With Your Sexual Abuse Case?

We are extremely passionate about helping sexual abuse survivors.
We have recovered more than $5 billion for our past clients.
We have over 80 years’ experience representing personal injury clients.
We represent clients using the highest standards of privacy and care.
We only accept payment for sexual abuse claim representation if we succeed.

How Can a Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help?

Sexual abuse cases often involve institutions covering up or facilitating abuse. A church, for example, may conceal complaints about inappropriate behaviors from a priest. This could make the institution liable for the survivors’ damages. At Rose, Klein & Marias LLP, we have experience going up against powerful institutions in the name of justice. We could help you strengthen your case against an individual and/or corporation during the pursuit of damages. Our Los Angeles injury attorneys can handle your case and protect your identity – all while you focus on healing.

What Is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse describes any unwanted or nonconsensual sexual acts against someone. Forcing, pressuring, intimidating or coercing someone into doing something sexual they do not want to do is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can exist between spouses, family members, friends, coworkers or strangers. Several different physical and nonphysical acts can constitute sexual abuse in Los Angeles.

Hugging or kissing without consent
Unwanted sexual touching
Unwanted violent sexual activity
Sexual contact with someone under the influence, drugged or unconscious
Physical sexual assault or molestation
Attempted rape, rape, or statutory rape

Sexual abusers can target both children and adults. Abusive acts can be verbal or nonverbal. Sexually harassing or discriminating against someone is a form of sexual abuse, for example, as is indecent exposure and psychological abuse. If you believe you might be a survivor of sexual abuse of any kind, a qualified Los Angeles sexual abuse attorney at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can arrange a private meeting to talk about your traumatic experience and future.

Sexual Abuse at Work

One of our main areas of focus is workers’ compensation law. In California, the workers’ compensation program provides financial relief to all injured employees, no matter how major or minor the injury. Workers’ compensation may also provide recovery after one or more employees commit a crime against a coworker. Workers’ compensation will pay for costs such as lost wages and therapy bills. It will not, however, reimburse noneconomic damages such as emotional distress.

If you experienced sexual abuse, harassment, or discrimination at work in Los Angeles, it may serve your best interests to speak with a Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney about filing a civil claim against your place of employment. Your employer could be vicariously liable for the abusive actions of its employees, as well as directly liable for facilitating sexual abuse. It is important to discuss the possibility of bringing a claim against your employer before accepting a workers’ compensation settlement. Once you accept a workers’ comp settlement, you cannot file against your employer for negligence or wrongdoing.

California Sexual Assault Laws

Sexual abuse and sexual assault are often used interchangeably, but they have different definitions on a technical level. In California, sexual assault is the crime of touching the intimate part of another person while he or she is restrained by a perpetrator, against the victim’s will, and when it is done for the sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse of the victim (California Penal Code Section 243.4). Sexual abuse, on the other hand, refers to an ongoing or consistent pattern of sexual assault over a period of time, usually in reference to children.

The penalties for sexual assault or battery in California include up to six months in a county jail for misdemeanor sexual battery or one year for felony sexual battery, plus a fine of up to $2,000 (or $3,000 if the perpetrator is the victim’s employer). California state law also allows for up to four years’ imprisonment and $10,000 in fines for felony sexual battery in certain circumstances. If you have further questions about the sex abuse laws in California, reach out to a local sexual abuse attorney in Los Angeles.

Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse

Someone who is suffering sexual abuse may not have the ability to come forward. Many survivors do not report sexual abuse due to a lack of understanding of what constitutes sexual abuse, fear of retaliation from the abuser, fear of not being believed, psychological distress, or the physical inability to do so – as in the case of someone with a disability. It is often up to loved ones and family members to look for and recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse. These warning signs can differ according to the age of the victim.

Physical Signs:

Frequent or unexplained injuries
Injuries to the genitalia
Pain or inching in the genital area
Bruises on the upper thighs
Frequent upset stomach
Trouble sleeping
Loss or increase of appetite
Dirty or unkempt appearance
Bloody undergarments
Frequent urinary tract infections
Sexually transmitted diseases
Teen pregnancy
Signs of self-harm

Mental or Emotional Signs:

Depression
Anxiety
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
Fear
Guilt or shame
Anger or rage
Outbursts
Mood swings
Low self-esteem
Suicidal thoughts or feelings

Behavioral Signs:

Drug, tobacco or alcohol use
Decreased performance in school
Isolation from others
Withdrawal from favorite hobbies or activities
Fear of certain people or places
Regression
Bedwetting
Abnormal knowledge of sexual subjects
Mentioning ‘secrets’ with an adult

You may also be able to spot signs of sexual abuse by paying attention to the perpetrator. Someone who intends to commit sexual abuse may start grooming a child, such as by buying him or her gifts or developing a relationship of trust with the victim. A perpetrator may also use alcohol or other substances to reduce the victim’s ability to resist. Isolation and manipulation are also common tactics, especially as part of a long-term abusive relationship.

What to Do If You Were Sexually Abused

The actions you take or do not take as a survivor of sexual abuse can significantly impact your future. Although it can be extremely difficult to speak up, it is critical to take action to get to a safe location, process what happened and seek justice against the abuser. If you notice warning signs of sexual abuse in a loved one or are experiencing sexual abuse yourself, take the following steps to ensure your personal safety and protect your legal rights:

Call the police immediately. Call 911 to report the crime. Preserving evidence such as biological evidence from the victim’s body and clothing during a police investigation can help bring a perpetrator to justice.
Save evidence. Save the clothes you were wearing during the assault or attack, as well as anything else that could serve as evidence for a case later.
Tell someone. Confide in a trusted friend or family member during this difficult time. You can bring this person with you for emotional support to the police station and doctor’s appointments.
Receive medical treatment. Go to a hospital without delay for professional medical treatment. A physician can treat any physical injuries you have, as well as perform a sexual assault forensic exam to collect evidence.
Contact a sexual abuse attorney in LA. When you’re ready, contact a sexual abuse lawyer from Rose, Klein & Marias LLP for legal assistance. Our attorneys are respectful, knowledgeable and professional. We can offer the help necessary to hold an offender accountable and pursue civil damages for sexual assault on your behalf.

You do not have to take these steps alone. Trained professionals are available 24/7 at helplines such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline for assistance. You also have the right to hire a sexual abuse lawyer in Los Angeles, CA. An attorney gives you a knowledgeable and experienced representative to stand by your side during each phase of your civil lawsuit. A lawyer will work relentlessly to hold an abuser accountable and protect your best interests.

Time Limits for Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim in California

Like all states, California has a time limit on filing sexual abuse and sexual assault cases with the civil courts. This time limit is known as a statute of limitations. With only a few exceptions, if you miss your filing deadline, the courts in Los Angeles County will bar you from financial compensation.

The statute of limitations on sexual abuse recently changed in California. A new law extended the deadline for victims who were under the age of 18 at the time of the abuse to the victim’s 40^th birthday. Underage victims either have until age 40 or 5 years from the date they discover their emotional trauma is connected to childhood sexual abuse to file. State law also gives a three-year grace period (starting January 1, 2020) for civil claims that were previously barred under the old statute of limitations.

According to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 340.16, if the sexual assault victim is over the age of 18, he or she has 10 years from the date of the last sexual assault or attempt to file a civil action. A sexual harassment case, on the other hand, comes with a statute of limitations of one year from the date of the last act of harassment in California. Contact a sexual abuse attorney in Los Angeles as soon as possible to make sure you do not miss your deadline.

Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse in Los Angeles, CA

Although no amount of money can ever take back what happened or make up for the losses you suffered, pursuing financial compensation through a civil sexual abuse lawsuit can provide many important benefits. It can hold a perpetrator accountable for committing this crime, giving you a sense of justice, validation, and closure. This can help you heal, process the events and move forward with your life.

Bringing a lawsuit against a person or entity can also alert your community of the risks of sexual abuse within a specific organization, such as a church or Boys and Girls Club. It can push for changes on an institutional level that could potentially prevent others from the same fate you suffered. Finally, a settlement or positive jury verdict could compensate you for expenses and losses related to the offense, such as:

Past and future medical expenses
Psychological therapy
Prescription medications
Lost wages and employment benefits
Loss of future earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and mental anguish
Legal expenses and attorney’s fees
Relocation

If your loved one died due to a sexual assault or abuse crime, surviving family members and beneficiaries can recover for the decedent’s losses, as well as the family’s grief and funeral and burial costs. Discuss the value of your sexual assault claim with our Los Angeles sexual abuse attorneys today. We will work relentlessly to argue for maximum financial compensation for your losses. Although we settle most cases we take, we have the ability to go to trial when necessary.

What Is the California Victim Compensation Board?

The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) offers financial assistance to help pay for expenses that result from violent crimes. Victims of child abuse, child sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, battery, human trafficking, sexual battery, online harassment and other crimes with a threat of physical injury can qualify for compensation from the CalVCB. Although it does not offer monetary compensation for pain and suffering or property damage, the Board can help pay for medical bills and mental health counseling.

CalVCB can help the victims of sexual assault crimes, as well as family members who suffer monetary losses due to the death of a crime victim. These include spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, legal guardians, siblings, and grandchildren. If you wish to apply for compensation, contact your county’s Victim Witness Assistance Center. A representative can help you fill out and submit the application. A Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer can also help you with this process.

Contact a Sexual Abuse Attorney in Los Angeles, CA Today

It does not matter when or where your sexual abuse occurred; the lawyers at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP want to hear your story. We may be able to help you fight back against individuals and/or establishments that contributed to your abuse in Los Angeles. We understand how difficult it can be to come forward with sexual abuse allegations. We can protect your privacy and petition the courts to allow you to use a pseudonym instead of your real name during proceedings. Find out if you have grounds for a civil case and speak with a knowledgeable Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer. The fight for justice and closure starts with a phone call. Call (800) 362-7427 or submit our confidential intake form today.