Victims of sexual abuse or assault have experienced trauma no one should have to endure. If it has happened to you, try to remember that you aren’t alone. In addition to family and friends who care about your wellbeing, you have a qualified legal team at our firm ready to help you reclaim your life and hold the perpetrator liable for his or her unforgivable actions.
We can file a personal injury claim on your behalf to allow you to obtain compensation for what you’ve been through and start to pick up the pieces of your life. Part of that process involves gathering evidence. For more information on how to gather evidence to prove sexual abuse, see below.
Proving Your Case
More than likely, if you know who sexually abused you, he or she is facing criminal charges in addition to the civil claim you may bring forward. There are many differences between these two types of litigation.
First, it’s important to note that, even if a criminal court does not find the abuser guilty, you will still be able to pursue a claim in civil court, where you could see greater success. In criminal court, the prosecutor needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime occurred.
This is not the case in civil court, where we only need to prove that the majority of the evidence suggests that the incident did occur and that the person in question is responsible for your damages.
Supporting Evidence
There are specific types of evidence we can present to support your case. Any medical evidence from your physician that can demonstrate the abuse will be important, and witness statements from those who might have seen something or who you might have told about the abuse will also support your claims.
If we are able to procure an admission of guilt in some way, whether through a confession made to a police official or via a text message, your civil case is likely to be successful.
Other types of supporting evidence that will be helpful include photos, video footage, DNA evidence, or anything that we can recover from the defendant that proves his or her guilt.
You’re Entitled to Compensation
The primary purpose of filing a civil suit against your abuser is to recover compensation for the financial and emotional losses you were forced to endure. It will be important that we consider the full extent of your damages so you can obtain maximum compensation. Some of the most frequently sought damages in sex abuse cases include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Counseling
- Lost wages
- Emotional trauma
At Lane Brown, LLC, we understand that the aftermath of sexual abuse or assault can be extremely difficult to handle. Our firm will stop at nothing to secure the compensation you need so you can focus your energy on recovering and moving forward with your life.
Meet with a Chicago Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you are considering filing a personal injury claim against the person or people responsible for the sexual abuse you suffered, reach out to a caring Chicago sexual abuse lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC today. You can schedule a no-obligation claim assessment by filling out the form below or by giving our office a call at 312-332-1400.
