Filing a Claim after a Sexual Assault
The last thing the victim of sexual abuse wants to have to think about is the legal ramifications of what they have just gone through. Then when they find out that they have many options to choose from, the whole situation can become frustrating. That is why it is important to consult with a compassionate and experienced sexual assault attorney to find out what your options are for filing a claim.
Filing On Time
In the state of New York, there is a three year statute of limitations on sexual assault cases sued in Supreme Court. That means that a victim has three years to file a lawsuit after the assault has taken place. It takes courage to file a sexual assault lawsuit, but often times a lawsuit is the most effective way for a victim to feel that they have received justice for what has happened.
Civil Versus Criminal Courts
When a victim starts talking about a lawsuit, they sometimes wonder about the criminal side of the situation as well. You can file criminal charges against an aggressor and take them to civil court for the same sexual assault. Not only do you have the ability to do some damage to your aggressor by taking their money, but you can also make sure that they do not hurt anyone else by pressing charges and sending them to jail.
Enabling Parties
You do not need to limit your civil sexual assault claim just to the aggressor who perpetrated the act. If you filed a complaint with the company you work for because the attack happened at work and the company did not respond, you can also put the company in your lawsuit. If you were attacked by a company employee while patronizing that business and the company did nothing to stop it, then you can also sue that company.
Equating Money With Justice
Sometimes sexual assault victims do not file lawsuits because money is the last thing on their minds. While that is understandable, taking someone’s money for emotionally and possibly physically damaging you is one of only two forms of justice a victim has. Sending the aggressor to jail can offer a victim a certain sense of closure, but damaging that aggressor’s finances at the same time can help prevent that aggressor from ever attacking anyone else again.
Our attorneys are compassionate and experienced in sexual assault claims. Give us a call and talk to one of our compassionate sexual harassment lawyers, serving Rochester, today to understand your options.