Damages Awarded in Sexual Abuse Cases

Pursuing Compensatory Damages While Holding Abusers Accountable

Sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on the victim’s life. Although they may suffer physical injuries during the incident, the emotional impact is often harder to overcome. Additionally, sexual abuse can have financial consequences that put your future in question. You have the legal option to file a claim against your abuser to seek damages awarded in sexual abuse cases.

The experienced sexual abuse attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team know what it takes to hold perpetrators and negligent parties accountable for your suffering.

Civil Claims for Sexual Harassment, Abuse, or Violence

A civil suit, also known as a personal injury claim, is a means for injured victims to seek compensation for the losses they have suffered due to another person’s negligent or wrongful conduct. It is also intended to prevent future misconduct by the defendant.

Many injury claims involve car accidents, medical malpractice, product defects, or premises liability, but survivors of sexual abuse can also hold abusers and those who allow the behavior to occur responsible.

Whether you have suffered psychological harm, an inability to work, or physical damage, you can seek justice and a fair settlement with a civil claim. Our expert attorneys can help you build a strong claim.

Settlements Recovered By Our Law Firm in Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Here are some past settlements we have recovered for sexual abuse survivors:

$21,000,000 – A victim was assaulted at a hotel by a desk clerk who should never have been hired. The company’s failure to perform a background check and the severity of the attack drove the recovery amount. The assault caused lasting mental anguish and highlighted systemic failures in corporate hiring practices.

$15,000,000 – Several boys were groomed and abused over a period of time by a private school coach. The prolonged pattern of misconduct and the lasting psychological harm were key factors in this case. Many of them required years of counseling for emotional distress, and the institution’s failure to intervene increased liability.

$5,000,000 – Two women pursued legal action against a therapist, claiming they were both abused during treatment. The position of authority and the repeated nature of the misconduct influenced the outcome. Both endured deep emotional harm and a profound loss of trust in mental health professionals.

$3,000,000 – A female patient was repeatedly assaulted by her OB/GYN during medical visits at a hospital. The trusted role of the physician and the institutional setting were central to the case. She developed severe trauma responses to future medical care, making the injuries long-lasting beyond the assaults themselves.

$1,160,000 – A teenager in a youth detention center was assaulted by a guard while confined in the facility. The custodial setting and lack of protection were critical in the resolution. Being powerless in that environment deepened the trauma and amplified the long-term emotional effects, including mental anguish.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

We have built a strong reputation in the legal field, boasting a 98% success rate. The firm has maintained an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau and a five-star rating from AVVO.

Civil Lawsuits Vs Criminal Charges: What Are the Differences?

Since sexual violence is also a crime, many survivors are uncertain about pursuing civil claims when there are criminal charges. These legal processes are completely separate, so you can seek compensatory damages regardless of the existence of a criminal proceeding.

Here are some of the primary differences between the two processes:

• Sentencing – A criminal charge, if it leads to a conviction, will include a sentencing to punish the offender
• Burden of proof – There is a higher standard of evidence in criminal trials than in civil lawsuits (“beyond a reasonable doubt” vs. “more likely than not”)
• Compensatory damages – A financial settlement is only possible in a civil suit, while a criminal trial is intended to punish the offender

Types of Damages in Sexual Violence Claims

Experiencing sexual abuse can cause severe mental anguish and physical suffering. The greater the impact of the abusive behavior, the higher your potential settlement if your lawsuit is successful.

Let’s look at some of the primary types of compensatory damages in a personal injury suit.

Economic Damages

Economic losses are the easiest to calculate when you seek compensation in a lawsuit. They typically include elements like lost wages, diminished earning capacity, medical expenses (including therapy), and future medical expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages can make up the bulk of a settlement for sexual assault. These losses may include emotional distress, mental anguish, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Punitive Damages

In severe cases, a judge or jury may award punitive damages. This type of compensation is usually reserved for cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Additionally, if an institution covered up allegations, punitive damages may be levied against the offending entity, such as a prison system burying complaints of assault by inmates.

Wrongful Death Damages

If the victim of sexual abuse dies, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. Wrongful death damages can include both economic and non-economic losses, such as funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of financial support for dependents, and loss of consortium.

What is the Average Settlement in a Sexual Assault Case?

The average settlement for a sexual assault case in the United States is $8.88 million, with a range of $10,000 to several billion dollars. The median case value during this time was $1.21 million.

Factors that may impact your settlement include the severity of the assault, the availability of evidence, potential punitive damages, and the long-term effects of the abuse.

Example Cases

From 1987 to 1997, a young girl was abused by her stepfather between the ages of 5 and 14. The girl’s mother reported the abuse to multiple authority figures in their church denomination, but these individuals either failed to take action or asked the mother to forgive the stepfather after he repented.

The defendant was finally arrested when the girl reported the abuse to her high school basketball coach. The victim’s mother sued the individual church and the denomination at large, eventually winning $2.28 billion.

Multiple male high school students had been abused by a high school chemistry teacher. Fourteen plaintiffs came forward in the lawsuit, which originally began with just three. Allegations of sexual abuse eventually led to the teacher’s arrest.

In the lawsuit, the boys sued the school district for failing to protect students from assault. The lawsuit against the teacher and school board eventually settled for over $140 million.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Medical Expenses, Emotional Distress, and Other Damages?

Multiple parties may be liable for the pain caused by sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior.

Here are some common defendants in sexual assault or abuse cases:

• Individual abusers
• Property owners who fail to protect visitors on the premises
• Church authority figures who use their power to commit assault or abuse
• Organizations that cover up sexual abuse incidents
• Employers who fail to vet employees who may engage in future misconduct
• Government entities for failing to investigate complaints
• Security entities for failing to provide sufficient protection

Types of Sexual Abuse Claims We Can Handle

An experienced attorney from Injury Lawyer Team can make all the difference as you seek compensation and justice against the defendant.

We have handled many types of sexual abuse claims, including:

• Clergy abuse
• Educator abuse
• Youth coach abuse
• Prison abuse
• Foster care abuse
• Coworker abuse
• Abuse reporting retaliation
• Medical professional abuse
• Nursing home abuse
• Hospitality business abuse

How Our Expert Lawyers Can Help

Pursuing compensatory damages can be a complex process. You may face challenges that could prevent you from winning fair compensation, such as a lack of evidence, a stubborn defendant, an insurance policy limit, or false claims of consent.

Our legal services include:

• Investigating sexual abuse
• Assessing losses to maximize compensation (emotional distress, mental anguish, and punitive damages)
• Gathering evidence to prove negligence (witness statements, surveillance footage, expert testimony, medical records, past complaint reports, and psychological evaluations)
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Litigating in civil court if necessary
• Providing a free consultation for questions about the legal process involved

Book a Free Consultation Today!

If you want to seek justice and financial compensation after suffering sexual abuse, Injury Lawyer Team is ready to guide you through the claims process. We have experience with many types of sexual abuse claims and can handle the legal heavy lifting while you focus on healing from your trauma.

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome.

Contact us today at 866-757-6542 to schedule your free consultation by completing our form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.