Sexual Assault Injury

Glendale Sexual Assault Injury Attorney Serving Los Angeles and Southern California

Over the past several decades, there has been a growing awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual assault in California and across the country.  Although laws have been passed with the aim of curtailing the problem, the danger of sexual assault is still very present and continues to grow.  Survivors of sexual assault may not know that in addition to criminal prosecution, they have the right to bring civil claims against the attacker and any other responsible third parties.

At McReynolds Vardanyan, our zealous and dedicated personal injury lawyers understand just how serious and damaging an attack of this sort can be.  We work to ensure that survivors of sexual assault get the justice and the compensation that they deserve for the wrongs committed by sexual assault perpetrators.  We have decades of experience helping victims of all types of personal injury matters, whatever the circumstances.  We are ready to fight for you.

What Constitutes Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault refers to any type of sexual contact that is non-consensual.  Sexual assault includes inappropriate touching, incest, voyeurism, exhibitionism, rape and attempted rape, child molestation, and sexual harassment.  Sexual assault can be perpetrated by anyone connected or unconnected to the victim, including friends, family members, co-workers, supervisors, teammates, or strangers.  Although it is more common for women to be victims of sexual assault, many men and non-binary individuals experience sexual assault as well.  Whatever your circumstances, if you have been subjected to unwanted physical contact, you have the right to hold your assailant liable for their actions and for the harm they have caused.

Civil vs. Criminal Prosecution

California law prohibits a wide range of non-consensual sexual contact and punishes such behavior criminally.  Sexual assault perpetrators can face misdemeanor or felony prosecution, depending on the nature of the crime, and they could face fines, probation, jail time, or long-term prison sentences.

Criminal prosecution is, however, entirely separate from civil claims for damages.  If your assailant does not face criminal justice for one reason or another, you have the right to bring your claims in civil court.  If your assailant is brought before a criminal court and convicted, you still have the right to seek damages in a civil lawsuit.  Criminal prosecution is not required for, nor does it prevent, civil claims.

Even if an attacker is acquitted in a criminal trial, the victim of the attack has the right to pursue civil damages.  The standard of proof in a criminal trial (guilt beyond a reasonable doubt) is significantly higher than the standard of proof in a civil trial (preponderance of the evidence).  Given the intimate nature of many sexual assault encounters, proving assault beyond a reasonable doubt can be very challenging for a prosecutor; satisfying a “more than 50% likely” standard in civil court can be much more attainable.

Compensation for Sexual Assault Damages

Plaintiffs in a civil suit for sexual assault can seek a range of damages for the harm caused by sexual assault.  Sexual assault is likely to cause significant, long-lasting emotional damage, in addition to the physical injury caused by the encounter.  The experienced personal injury attorneys at McReynolds Vardanyan help sexual assault survivors recover damages including:

  • Pain and suffering caused by the attack
  • Medical bills resulting from the incident
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of quality of life or consortium
  • Punitive damages 

Any physical, mental, or financial harm resulting from the defendant’s conduct is subject to recovery in a personal injury lawsuit.  Talk to a knowledgeable and understanding sexual assault injury lawyer about your case to learn about the compensation you could be able to recover. 

Call Our Professional Los Angeles Sexual Assault Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been subjected to sexual assault in Los Angeles or Southern California, we want to hear from you. Call our Glendale office at 818-855-2115 for a free consultation.  We are ready to listen, investigate, build your case, and help you and your family get the justice you deserve. Our experienced, qualified, and compassionate sexual assault injury attorneys are ready to meet you and meet your needs.

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