Ann Arbor Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Sexual abuse can have a devastating impact. That impact is felt physically and emotionally, often for many years. Holding abusers accountable for their actions in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is crucial if we want to prevent future instances of abuse and assault. An Ann Arbor sexual abuse lawyer can help you hold people or institutions accountable.

If you are a survivor of sex abuse who has suffered legal damages because of your abuser, then you have the right to seek justice through a civil claim. Injury Lawyer Team can increase your chances of winning a settlement.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team as Your Sex Crimes Attorney

A sexual abuse lawyer from our law firm will make a massive difference in the outcome of your case. You are far more likely to walk away with a fair settlement if you have an experienced attorney working on your case. At Injury Lawyer Team, we know how to build a solid case while still demonstrating compassion to survivors of sex abuse.

As you seek a settlement, we will ensure that all damages are accurately assessed and that your rights under state law are upheld. By offloading the heavy lifting of your case to us, you can focus more on healing physically and emotionally.

What is Ann Arbor Sex Abuse?

Unfortunately, sex abuse is a common occurrence in Ann Arbor. To determine the best course of action and hold the perpetrator responsible, you must know the definitions of sex abuse and sexual assault.

Sex abuse is defined as any unwanted or forced sexual contact without the permission of the victim. Assault has a similar definition but includes the additional element of penetration. The lack of consent and a power imbalance are usually present in both instances.

In 2018, Ann Arbor experienced a rape rate of 44.87 per 100,000 population, which demonstrates the worrying number of cases that occur each year.

What Are Common Forms of Criminal Sexual Conduct?

Sex abuse takes many forms, and it is essential to recognize it when it happens to you to hold abusers responsible for their actions.

Unwanted physical contact – A person sexually touches someone else with either a body part or an object without permission
Sexual exposure – Exposing someone to sexual imagery without their permission is a form of abuse and can include lewd images or flashing
Sexual exploitation – Using power, trust, or vulnerability to achieve sexual ends with a person who is unable to give permission is a sex crime
Child sexual abuse – A child is far more vulnerable to potential abuse because they may not recognize the signs or speak up
Sexual intercourse – Sexual intercourse that involves penetration, even orally, is considered a crime
Clergy abuse – Sexual abuse committed by religious leaders who exploit their position of trust and authority
Statutory Rape – Sexual activity with a minor below the legal age of consent who is unable to give legal permission is a sex crime
Child Pornography – Many Ann Arbor sex crimes involve underage pornography, such as having a child participate in making videos or watching inappropriate videos. Having these movies is also a crime.

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What Institutions are More Likely to See Sex Crimes, Like Child Sexual Abuse?

In the cases we handle, sexual violence often occurs in the following institutions:

Workplaces – A workplace may include numerous power imbalances that can lead to inappropriate behaviors and sex crimes between employers and employees.
Correctional facilities – In prisons, there are significant power dynamics among guards, staff, and inmates that frequently lead to assault.
Inpatient treatment facilities – Medical patients who stay overnight are more vulnerable to sexual harassment because they trust in staff. The accused may cite medical diagnoses to claim it’s a false accusation, but a lawyer can help provide support.
Foster care – A child in a foster home may learn to trust their foster parents, even if those individuals are abusers. Child molestation can be surprisingly common. Courts and lawyers know that children usually don’t lie when they accuse someone of these things.
Daycare facilities – A child may experience harm at a daycare center because of abusive staff or other adults taking advantage of their authority. They can also be held accountable by the legal system if they do not provide proper supervision or fail to protect a child, resulting in crimes like child molestation.
Educational institutions – Schools and other academic facilities create power dynamics between students, teachers, and administrators that are sometimes exploited. These crimes often result in mandatory registration of the accused as a sex offender and criminal charges. A CSC conviction, whether it’s a first-degree CSC or a high court misdemeanor, can result in a lifetime ban from schools.
Religious institutions – Religious organizations have built-in trust among leaders, so it is easy for abusive individuals to take advantage of members or participants. They are also known for cover-ups to avoid dealing with the legal process. Our attorneys can help you fight for a settlement.
Nursing homes – Elderly individuals may be unable to advocate for themselves when sexual violence occurs. Perpetrators may take advantage of people with memory loss to say it was a false accusation or a case of mistaken identity. Our law office can help clients have their voices heard.
Sports clubs – Coaches and trainers have some authority over athletes, especially in youth sports programs, and may use their position to exploit minors. Many clubs have developed a zero-tolerance policy regarding their sports teams. An experienced attorney can help a client regain their life.
Military institutions – The power hierarchies within the military make it harder for sufferers to share their stories and hold authoritative figures accountable.
Hotels and short-term rentals – Short-term accommodations can be dangerous if the wrong person has access to your room. Some perpetrators intentionally rent them to specific individuals for ulterior motives.
Shelters – Shelters often lack supervision and security, making it easy for abusers to take advantage of those in vulnerable positions. We usually hear from clients that they are afraid to fight back because they fear losing their housing. Our lawyers can help you build a strong case to fight injustices.

Our law office can help those injured determine whether the harm they suffered was caused by an institution they trusted. We believe in empowering survivors and their family members. We’ll begin with an initial consultation and work tirelessly to help you obtain justice.

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What Should Victims Do After Sex Abuse?

Although you can pursue a settlement after being abused or assaulted, you shouldn’t contact an attorney first. Instead, your top priority is to ensure your safety and well-being. After an incident, seek immediate medical attention.

You should also report your abuse or assault to the Ann Arbor Police Department or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673). Document everything you can think of about the incident. This information will be helpful if you choose to file a civil claim with the help of your Ann Arbor sexual abuse lawyer. Clients can put it in a folder and contact an attorney to discuss the evidence after they are safe.

For emotional support, you can lean on local resources, such as Ann Arbor sexual abuse therapists. You can also connect with other survivors and support services through the SafeHouse Center.

A sex act can result in legal damages due to emotional impact. Your Ann Arbor sexual abuse lawyer will assess these damages to seek maximum compensation from the perpetrator.

What Can You Seek Compensation For?

Compensation can include lost wages, medical expenses, therapy bills, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss of enjoyment of life. Your settlement amount will also be affected by the extent of your damages, the total damages, and the available evidence in the case.

Who is Liable in Sexual Abuse Cases in Ann Arbor?

An individual or institution can be held liable for your legal damages. An institution may be at fault if it fails to report incidents, prevent abuse, respond to complaints, or maintain adequate supervision. They could also be at fault if they conducted insufficient background checks on employees.

Other legal principles could affect your claim’s liability. Vicarious liability, for example, refers to one entity being held responsible for the actions of a related entity. If the sexual misconduct takes place at an educational institution, then Title IX could play a role in the treatment of the sexes.

Lastly, abuse within a religious institution may be governed by precedents shaped by unique power dynamics.

How to Prove Who is Liable for Sex Abuse?

Proving liability requires evidence that the defendant had a duty of care toward the plaintiff, that they breached that duty, that there is causation involving the harm, and that legal damages resulted from the incident.

Your sexual abuse lawyer and investigators will help gather evidence to support these assertions in your claim, so the sooner you pursue your legal options, the easier it will be to build a solid case.

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How Can an Ann Arbor Sexual Abuse Attorney Help?

Our law firm can play an essential role in claiming compensation. First, we will uphold your legal rights throughout the process. We offer a free case review so you can ask questions about your legal options.

If you hire an attorney from our firm, we will investigate your claim, assess all damages, gather evidence, negotiate for a maximum settlement, and even represent you in a trial if necessary.

Our legal representatives work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs for our services, and we only receive payment if we win.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim Under Michigan Law?

If you or a loved one is the victim of a non-consensual sexual act, then you have the right to pursue a claim in Michigan. However, you must do so within the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits.

According to Michigan legislation, under Act 236, “The period of limitations is 10 years for an action to recover damages sustained because of criminal sexual conduct. For purposes of this subsection, it is not necessary that a criminal prosecution or other proceeding have been brought as a result of the criminal sexual conduct or, if a criminal prosecution or other proceeding was brought, that the prosecution or proceeding resulted in a conviction or adjudication.”

This means that you can file a civil lawsuit, even if you never pressed criminal sexual conduct charges and there wasn’t a sex crime conviction.

However, there are specific circumstances under which this period may be extended, particularly if the abuse occurred during childhood. There are further exceptions made for those who may not remember the sexual assault due to repressed memories.

The law is constantly evolving as more officials work to give people time to hold perpetrators accountable. Many states have enacted new statutes of limitations or guidelines, such as requiring every sex offender to file sex offender registration paperwork.

This makes it imperative to work with an experienced legal team to hold those who commit sexual assault accountable. It’s crucial to act within these timeframes to ensure your right to seek justice and compensation is preserved. Our Ann Arbor law office always stays up to date on legislative changes.

What is the Average Sex Abuse Settlement in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

The average settlement for sex crimes in Ann Arbor ranges from $250,000 to $1.5 million. While most sex crime cases will fall into this margin, yours may result in a substantially larger settlement. Several factors impact your Ann Arbor sex abuse settlement, such as:

The type of sexual act (was there child pornography, sexual penetration, indecent exposure, etc.)
The type of harm sustained and the lasting impact, including psychological damage
Age of the victim
If there are previous accusations against the institution
How long ago did the abuse happen?

The severity of the sex crimes, such as whether it was considered a fourth-degree felony or a misdemeanor, can play a crucial role in your settlement. Our legal team can help you learn more during a free consultation.

Example Cases Filed in Washtenaw County

Multiple plaintiffs were awarded a $15.4 million settlement in a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections. The plaintiffs stated that the sex crimes took place over many years, and complaints that were filed regarding abuse from guards were not investigated. The plaintiffs further said they were too scared to report sex crimes due to retaliation.

Angela Boyd sued a car dealership over sexual harassment allegations. The plaintiff said she was sexually harassed when she attempted to purchase a car, resulting in emotional distress. Although this was a sex crime, it was also a civil rights violation, leading to a $5,750 settlement.

A plaintiff won a lawsuit against the University of Michigan because a teacher consistently made sexual advances, remarks, and touched them inappropriately. This impacted her as a musician. When she refused the teacher’s advances, she was demoted from her first-chair oboe position. The lawsuit sought $1 million, and she was awarded $250,000 in emotional damages.

Explore Your Legal Options Today

By hiring a skilled lawyer, you can ensure that your rights are fully protected and that you have the best chance of securing the justice and compensation you deserve.

If you want to pursue economic or non-economic damages after experiencing sex crimes, you need the right attorney on your side. Injury Lawyer Team can ensure your abuser is held accountable for their actions through a civil lawsuit. Whatever harm you suffered, it’s important to quickly explore your options to determine whether you have a case and begin gathering evidence.

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Resources: [1] Macro Trends

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