Sexual assault is a serious public health issue in the United States. It takes many forms and affects millions of people every year. It often leads to chronic physical and psychological ailments. Sexual assault is so problematic that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a national-level study, to research the issue.
If you were a victim of sexual assault, you are not alone. We are here to help you. A Westbury personal injury lawyer from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., will help you with your sexual assault case. We serve people in Westbury, but we also serve other areas on Long Island and in the greater New York metropolitan area. We are also able to meet you in private for a confidential consultation.
- You Might be Entitled to Compensation as a Sexual Assault Victim
- Our Legal Team is Equipped to Manage Your Sexual Assault Case in Westbury
- Sexual Assault Could Involve Different Types of Actions Against the Victim
- Sexual Assault Happens in Various Public and Private Settings
- Report Your Case
- Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., Today to Begin Working on Your Case
You Might be Entitled to Compensation as a Sexual Assault Victim
With a civil action, you are able to work with a lawyer from our team to pursue compensation for the damages you suffered due to the sexual assault. In addition to seeking criminal charges against the person who assaulted you, you could also demand they compensate you for the pain and suffering they caused you.
Our legal team will help you calculate how much compensation you should demand based on your damages, which could include:
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Emotional distress caused by intimidation, threats, or other distressing events (e.g., nightmares about the assault, leading to insomnia)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the sexual assault
- Medical expenses if applicable, such as costs for pregnancy exams or emergency care depending on the severity of the assault
- Income loss if your trauma forced you to miss work
- Future income loss, which might apply if you quit your job because you were assaulted at your workplace
You might also qualify for other related damages, depending on how the sexual assault affected you personally. As seen in the examples we’ve provided, damages do not have to be monetary; they could also stem from the physical and emotional injuries you suffered.
Our team will be patient with you as you discuss your experience and work hard to reach a value estimate that appropriately reflects your damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Sexual Assault lawyer serving Westbury, call 516-932-0400
Our Legal Team is Equipped to Manage Your Sexual Assault Case in Westbury
When you hire a lawyer from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., you also get the benefits of our legal team working behind you and using the law to support your stance. We organize our resources to prepare your case against the defendant, which often involves:
- Investigating the facts surrounding your sexual assault
- Identifying who committed the offense and whether other parties could be held liable for your damages as well
- Collecting evidence that will support your claims about how the assault occurred, who committed it, and what how it impacted your life
- Communicating with all involved parties in your case on your behalf, which will help us protect you, your case, and your legal interests
- Calculating the value of your case by examining your economic and non-economic damages as well as future damages you might expect to experience
Our team will also be available to advise, comfort and reassure you throughout your case. We understand that having to live through the sexual assault again is often traumatic, so we aim to provide you support and protect you throughout the claim and litigation process.
With every decision made throughout your case, you are in control and dictate how you want your case to move forward. A lawyer from our team will provide guidance, but ultimately, you will make the decisions that determine the way we proceed on your behalf.
Westbury Sexual Assault Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400
Sexual Assault Could Involve Different Types of Actions Against the Victim
Sexual assault is defined as being penetrated or being forced to penetrate using physical force. It can also include being:
- Coerced or lied to
- Stalked
- Threatened or blackmailed
- Forced to endure unwanted sexual contact, including but not limited to touching, kissing, groping, or grabbing
Events of these types are alarmingly common, and it happens to both men and women of all ages in many different settings. It can happen to adults, in the workplace, in places of worship, at schools, and in other types of public and private settings.
Sexual Assault Involving Children
When the victim is under the age of 18, sexual assault is formally categorized as child sexual abuse. It is somewhat different from sexual abuse in that the victim:
- Does not fully comprehend the acts they are forced to do or endure
- Does not or is not able to consent to those acts
- Has not reached a level of developmental growth and legal capacity to consent to those acts
Experiencing assault in one’s childhood or adolescence can place the victim at a heightened risk of victimization in adulthood, according to Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Mental Health Consequences of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault at any age is a traumatic, life-changing experience for many victims. It can lead to:
- Anxiety and fear
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and guilt
- Denial
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Issues with trust and intimacy
Our legal team will ensure you get the help you need to overcome the problems associated with your abuse. We will also work to ensure that those responsible for assaulting you are brought to justice and are held accountable so that they cannot abuse again in the future.
Click to contact our Westbury Personal Injury Lawyers today
Sexual Assault Happens in Various Public and Private Settings
Where sexual assault happens is almost as alarming as to how frequently it happens. Some of society’s worst sexual predators—lifelong abusers with multiple victims – have been found hiding in the places we consider to be the safest in the community.
Sexual abuse and sexual assault cases are commonly reported in the following settings:
Religious Institutions
Clergy abuse is a longstanding social issue. It has gone on for decades – if not more – but has only received nationwide media coverage fairly recently. There have been cases of victims coming forward about past instances of abuse that occurred 40 or 50 years ago.
Schools and Colleges
Sexual assault by teachers, coaches, and administrators is not uncommon. It is seen everywhere, from the primary school level to the graduate school level.
With small children, abusers take advantage of the child’s innocence to abuse him or her. However, older children and adults could be forcefully assaulted either physically or using lying, peer pressure, blackmailing, or other forms of pressure, such as losing access to work or promotion opportunities.
Medical Professionals
Doctors, nurses, and other caregivers can sexually abuse those in their care. This is commonly seen in elder care and nursing homes but can happen to anyone. There have been cases in which a doctor violated a patient while they were unconscious. This is unacceptable, and those entrusted with the care of our loved ones must be held accountable for their actions.
Law Enforcement
Sexual assault by police officers can take many forms. It can take the form of a police officer offering to overlook an incursion in exchange for sexual favors or sexual groping and touching during a pat-down.
Workplace Assault
Bosses and managers can physically sexually assault their employees. They can also intimidate, coerce, or force them into performing actions they otherwise would be unwilling to perform with threats of being fired.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 5,000 cases of workplace violence and assault are reported every year. Again, given the fact that such cases are often not reported, this figure is also likely to be lower than the reality.
Clubs and Community Groups
Coaches, teammates, supervisors, trainers, and others involved with organized clubs and sports can all sexually assault a child or even an adult.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Report Your Case
With all the examples outlined above, it is important to remember that sexual assault, abuse, and violence can happen to anyone, anywhere. It does not matter if someone is in a position of trust or respect either.
In fact, most sexual assault cases involve an imbalanced trust or power dynamic in which a victim feels helpless in the situation and is forced into a compromising situation. This should not happen to anyone, and we are here to help you if you or someone you know experienced any type of sexual assault.
Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., Today to Begin Working on Your Case
Sexual assault cases are a unique type of personal injury in that compensation from a guilty party might not be available through their insurance coverage. This might make the recovery of your damages more complex than it otherwise would be for a personal injury case. Still, depending upon the unique circumstances of your situation, our team is prepared to help you build your sexual assault case in Westbury.
Call Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., for a free consultation at (516) 932-0400. Do not hesitate to seek assistance from a lawyer from our team.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form