Grand Rapids Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Sexual abuse can have a lasting impact on a person. The physical consequences of assault or abuse may heal quickly, but the emotional damage often takes much longer. Some victims deal with the emotional ramifications for the rest of their lives. A Grand Rapids sexual abuse lawyer can help clients hold the perpetrators accountable. 

It is essential to pursue legal action against the perpetrator to ensure they are held accountable.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team for Your Sexual Abuse Claim

As a victim of abuse or assault in Grand Rapids, MI, you have the right to pursue compensation. When you need help with your civil case, Injury Lawyer Team has the expertise to secure compensation for legal damages.

When you work with Injury Lawyer Team, we prioritize securing the highest possible settlement on your behalf. We will assess economic and non-economic damages to determine a fair compensation amount.

We have a deep understanding of sex abuse cases and know the importance of being compassionate with every victim. We will investigate every client’s claim to build a solid case. Throughout the entire process, we make sure that your rights under state law are protected.

Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault in Grand Rapids

Sexual assault and abuse are very similar under Michigan law, but some minor distinctions could impact the outcome of your claim. Sexual abuse is when a person forces or pressures another person into unwanted sexual contact. Sexual assault is a similar scenario but often features penetration or sexual oral sex.

In both circumstances, there is a lack of consent from the victim and a power imbalance between the two parties. Last year alone, there were 190 reported rapes in the city of Grand Rapids.

What are the Common Forms of Criminal Sexual Conduct?

• Sexual intercourse – Penetrative sex or sexual oral contact is typically considered criminal sexual conduct under state law.
• Sexual exploitation – If a person uses power, trust, or vulnerability to accomplish sexual ends with someone else, they are likely abusing them.
• Sexual exposure – Exposing someone to sexual imagery, such as lewd photos or flashing, without their consent, is abusive behavior.
• Child sexual abuse – The standards for sex abuse are lower for a child since they are unable to give legal consent and often don’t understand what is happening.
• Unwanted physical contact – Touching someone with either a body part or object sexually without their permission is abuse.
• Clergy Sexual Abuse: Abuse committed by religious leaders or clergy members, exploiting their position of trust and authority to manipulate or harm both adults and minors.

Where is Sex Abuse Most Likely to Occur?

In the cases we handle and clients we see, sexual abuse is most likely to occur in the following institutions:

• Workplaces – Workplace dynamics often create opportunities for those in authority to abuse those beneath them and to threaten retaliation if the behavior is reported.
• Inpatient treatment facilities – Clinics that provide medical services for overnight patients may be dangerous if abusive individuals are present, especially since patients are often vulnerable.
• Correctional facilities – Prison power dynamics and poor security practices can result in sexual assault cases.
• Foster care – Even with lengthy vetting processes, a child could still end up in a foster home with an abusive parent or other family member.
• Daycare facilities – Daycare centers place adults in caretaker positions with many children, so the wrong hire by the daycare could lead to child abuse.
• Educational institutions – Schools often face allegations of abuse or assault, often because of the power imbalances between administrators, teachers, and students.
• Religious institutions – Clergy abuse has been a big problem in churches and ministry organizations because people automatically trust religious leaders.
• Nursing homes – Elderly individuals often need consistent medical care, which puts them in vulnerable positions if nursing home staff or residents decide to take advantage.
• Sports clubs – Youth sports programs, in particular – are rife with these issues because coaches and trainers hold authority over young people.
• Military institutions – The military has strict hierarchies that sometimes lead to incidents being swept under the rug to protect perpetrators.
• Hotels and short-term rentals – Staying in an overnight accommodation puts you at risk of being hurt if the wrong individual has a room key.
• Shelters – Designed to be safe refuges, they can become dangerous due to inadequate supervision and insufficient security.

What Should You Do If You Are a Victim of Sex Crimes in Grand Rapids?

Survivors of sexual assault or abuse can take the following steps to prioritize their well-being and financial future.

First, get somewhere safe. Once you’re secure, seek immediate medical attention and have your injuries treated, especially if you suffered from forcible rape. Next, you should report the incident to the Grand Rapids Police Department or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673).

Your next course of action should be documenting the incident. The more information you record about the build-up, the event itself, and the aftermath, the more you can seek justice with your civil claim or even a crime investigation. 

Next, reach out to Injury Lawyer Team for help getting the compensation you deserve for legal damages. We work with our clients to get them compensation. 

Finally, dealing with emotional trauma may require that you rely on support services. If you want to speak to psychological experts, you can connect with Grand Rapids sexual abuse therapists. If you wish to support from other survivors or resources, Support Within Reach is a great organization.

What Damages Can You Recover From Grand Rapids Sexual Abuse?

Survivors of sexual assault and abuse can seek compensation for legal damages with the help of an attorney from our law firm.

Potential damages for clients include lost wages, medical expenses, therapy bills, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress disorder, and loss of enjoyment of life. Other factors that will impact your settlement include the severity of your injuries, the extent of the damages, whether it’s looked at as a serious crime, and the evidence available for the case.

Who is Liable in Sexual Abuse Cases in Grand Rapids?

Liability is the key to victory in your claim. The perpetrator can only be held accountable if you prove they were responsible for the damages. The defendant could either be an individual or an institution. For an institution to be liable, it could fail to prevent abuse, fail to report incidents, or perform inadequate background checks on employees.

One legal principle that could influence your claim is vicarious liability, which occurs when one entity is responsible for the actions of another related entity. Title IX may play a role in the lawsuit if the sex abuse occurred within an educational facility. In a religious institution, there are also legal precedents regarding power dynamics.

A successful Grand Rapids sexual abuse claim must establish that the defendant had a duty of care toward the plaintiff, breached that duty, and that this breach directly caused the incident, resulting in legal damages from negligence or intentional misconduct. Your legal representation will be vital in gathering evidence to support these claims.

Injury Lawyer Team will gather and present evidence while investigators uncover additional proof and interview witnesses. We will prove duty of care, breach, causation, and damages, ensuring you have the strongest case possible for securing justice and compensation.

How Can a Grand Rapids Sexual Assault Lawyer Help?

When you have legal representation from Injury Lawyer Team, you level the playing field against the defendant.

First, we offer a free, confidential consultation to answer all your questions before proceeding. Then, we conduct a thorough investigation of your case to determine your legal options.

Our team will gather evidence, assess damages, and negotiate for maximum compensation on your behalf. We are committed to winning settlements for survivors and work on a contingency fee basis so you face no upfront costs for legal services.

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

The statute of limitations for personal injury in Michigan is three years. That means you must file your civil claim three years from the incident date. If you wait too long, it may be impossible to seek compensation. However, new legislationprovides childhood sexual abuse survivors ten years to file a claim. 

An attorney who specializes in sexual abuse cases will understand the nuances of the law and can help you navigate any exceptions that might apply, especially in situations involving delayed reporting or childhood abuse.

What is the Average Sexual Abuse Settlement in Grand Rapids, MI?

The average settlement doesn’t tell us how much your claim is worth. Instead, a sexual assault lawyer will consider the entire case because so many factors help determine your settlement. A few key factors that make a significant difference include: 

• The type of crime (rape typically leads to a larger settlement than sexual harassment)
• Whether you suffered emotional damage due to the sexual assault
• If there was negligence, such as a school hiring someone on the public sex offender registry
• The strategy your lawyer uses in the legal system to prove your sexual allegation
• How long the person was sexually abused
• Whether anyone was able to collect evidence
• Whether the non-consensual sexual contact led to mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
• Evidence available, such as police reports, text messages, and proof that the accused was responsible for protecting the victim. 
• The precedent for most sex crimes and other acts in legal proceedings
• How the crime impacted his or her life, such as whether the person suffered from problems in personal relationships, or it had a profound impact on their ability to make informed decisions
• The financial burden, including the cost of filing a civil lawsuit, hiring medical professionals, lost wages, and lost future income. 

Our experienced law firm can help you file a civil suit and prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you’re entitled to compensation. We’ll focus on the paperwork while you focus on medical treatment to help you along your healing journey. Our team will aggressively pursue maximum compensation. 

Example Cases in Kent County, Michigan

Theresa Waldo worked for Consumers Energy in the mail service, where she was constantly harassed, including being sexually harassed. The company ignored her complaints, and there was little proof. The accused denied the allegations, but the verdict was in her favor, and she was awarded over $7 million for emotional damage and punitive penalties. Sometimes, it’s about having the right attorney to fight beside you. 

Plaintiff was a 13-year-old female eighth-grade student at Defendant Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church’s school. When her parents were going through a divorce, she sought counseling from the student minister. The plaintiff accused him of molesting her for several months. The school and church were held liable under vicarious liability laws. Attorneys were able to fight beside her to get a settlement for punitive penalties and emotional harm, amounting to a $400,000 settlement from the court. 

Joann was a highly rated detective and was moved to the homicide department. However, once there, she suffered sexual harassment and gender discrimination. She was consistently told that she was a token female and was only allowed to do menial tasks and answer the phone. After her divorce, the captain made several unwanted sexual advances. She filed a complaint, and he was suspended for five days. However, she felt that wasn’t enough to hold him accountable. So, she worked with an attorney, went to court, and landed a $725,000 settlement for mental distress. 

Contact Us For a Free Consultation

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to helping survivors of sexual abuse in Grand Rapids seek justice and the compensation they deserve. Our experienced legal team provides compassionate and transparent support, ensuring you feel informed, empowered, and confident in your pursuit of justice.

Complete our contact form here to get started. 

Related Practice Areas

• Ann Arbor Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Detroit Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Sterling Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Warren Sexual Abuse Lawyer

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.