Nassau County Sexual Abuse Lawyer 

If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse, you can hold the abuser responsible in civil court. Sexual abuse can have a profound impact on a survivor’s physical and mental health. Survivors often need medical treatment, therapy, and other long-term care to cope. Because sexual abuse causes physical and emotional injuries, state law allows survivors to sue abusers under personal injury laws.

This means that a survivor can sue for compensation related to their injuries, including for medical and therapy bills, lost wages or lost future earnings, and pain and suffering. If you want to learn more, contact a Nassau County sexual abuse lawyer today. An experienced lawyer can discuss your options, and help you seek justice in civil court. En Español.

Suing for Sexual Abuse and Related Misconduct in Nassau County

Sexual abuse is a specific criminal offense in New York. There are three degrees of sexual abuse, with first-degree sexual abuse being the most serious charge. People are charged with sexual abuse if they intentionally subject another person to sexual contact.

This does not necessarily mean the abuser penetrated someone else with a sex organ or foreign object. Rather, sexual abuse means that the contact itself happened between the abuser and someone else’s genitals. Survivors of sexual abuse can sue the perpetrators in civil court with the help of a knowledgeable local attorney.

Such lawsuits are not limited solely to sexual abuse. Survivors of other, related sexual offenses can sue for damages related to:

• Rape
• Forcible touching
• Sexual misdemeanors
• Sexual battery
• Predatory sexual assault
• Female genital mutilation

Criminal Charges vs. Civil Lawsuits

Survivors of sexual abuse can hold abusers responsible in civil court for damages caused by their illegal actions. Many sexual abusers are held liable for their conduct by the state. However, many abusers are never charged with a crime. Regardless of whether the abuser was charged or convicted, they can still be held liable for their actions in civil court. This means that sexual abuse survivors can sue the abuser for personal injury. The laws and rules of civil court are much different from those in criminal cases.

For example, prosecutors must show that someone criminally charged with sexual abuse is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest legal standard. In civil court, an abuse survivor must show it is more likely than not that the abuser caused their personal injury; this is a lower standard than criminal court. These differences between criminal and civil cases often benefit abuse survivors, who do not have to rely on a prosecutor to prove what happened.

Instead, abuse survivors should call a Nassau County sexual abuse attorney for help. A lawyer can investigate, prove the survivor’s damages were caused by the abuse, and make sure the abuser pays – literally – for what they did.

Contacting a Nassau County Sexual Abuse Attorney

If you or your child is a survivor of sexual abuse, assault, or other sex crimes, do not wait to take legal action. A Nassau County sexual abuse lawyer can help you hold the other party accountable for their actions and fight for justice for you in civil court. Contact our office today to get started on your case.