Warren Sexual Abuse Lawyer

There are far too many victims of sexual abuse and assault in Warren, MI. Even with a population of just over 137,000, there were 81 reported rapes in the area last year, which doesn’t account for all the unreported assaults. Sexual abuse of any kind can have long-lasting emotional effects on victims. A Warren sexual abuse lawyer can help you get justice. 

Under Michigan law, you have the right to file a civil claim for compensation with the help of an attorney if you suffer from legal damages because of your abuse. Injury Lawyer Team is a firm of attorneys committed to supporting survivors of abuse in Warren, MI, and we have many clients who can vouch for our services.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team as Your Law Firm

Our law firm has a strong record of helping victims of sex crimes seek justice against their abusers. Our attorneys have secured numerous settlements for our clients, helping them prioritize their financial futures even as they recover physically and emotionally from abuse.

We understand the importance of being compassionate with clients and walking alongside them through the claims process. A Warren sexual abuse lawyer from our team will investigate your sex crime claim to discuss your legal options under state law and ensure all damages are addressed.

What is Sexual Abuse?

Assault and abuse have slightly different definitions according to the state. Sexual abuse occurs when someone forces or pressures another into unwanted sexual contact. With sexual assault, the sex crime usually involves penetration or sexual oral contact.

Both situations involve the victim’s lack of consent and a power imbalance between the parties. Your Warren, MI, attorney can answer any questions about these distinctions under state law.

What are Common Forms of Criminal Sexual Conduct?

Sexual abuse is a sex crime that takes many forms. Here are some of the most common:

• Unwanted physical contact – Sexually touching someone else with a body part or object without their consent is abusive behavior. Attorneys can help clients get justice against the accused.
• Child sexual abuse – Minors are unable to give legal consent and often don’t understand what constitutes sexual abuse. A lawyer can help you speak out. 
• Sexual exploitation – When a person uses trust, power, or vulnerability to engage in sexual behavior with another person, it could be considered sexual abuse.
• Sexual exposure – A person could be liable for abusive behavior if they expose someone to sexual imagery without their permission. This includes making them watch child pornography. 
• Sexual intercourse – Penetrative sex or sexual oral conduct without consent may constitute sexual assault or rape.

Where Do Sex Crimes Commonly Occur in Macomb County?

Sexual abuse can occur in various settings, often where power imbalances exist. Here are some institutions where attorneys handle such cases:

• Workplaces – Power dynamics between employees and employers can lead to abusive behavior. Lawyers often see bosses accused of using their power to exploit employees. 
• Inpatient treatment facilities – Medical staff are responsible for caring for overnight patients, but unscrupulous individuals could take advantage of vulnerable people. Lawyers can work with the police to investigate the claim. 
• Correctional facilities – Sexual abuse is common in correctional facilities among inmates and guards.
• Foster care – Foster children may be placed in Warren homes with abusive individuals. A lawyer can help determine whether the foster care company was negligent, for example, by failing to conduct background checks. 
• Daycare facilities – Daycare centers specialize in caring for children during the day, but predators could take advantage of minors if left unsupervised.
• Educational institutions – Schools and other academic facilities often experience inappropriate relationships among administrators, teachers, and students.
• Religious institutions – Religious leaders are often given more trust by members and participants, paving the way for potential clergy abuse.
• Nursing homes – Staff charged with caring for older adults sometimes take advantage of this vulnerable population.
• Sports clubs – An abusive person who becomes a coach or trainer in a sports club could use their position to make others suffer.
• Military institutions – Military officers often protect their own and may cover up reports of abuse, even if they have an obligation to do the opposite.
• Hotels and rentals – Short-term accommodations in Warren may be unsafe if the wrong person has a room key and can access your living space.
• Shelters – Refuges for the homeless and other vulnerable groups often lack adequate security and supervision, making residents potential victims of sexual abuse.

What Should You Do If You’re Abused?

Victims of sexual abuse can prioritize their well-being and financial outlook by taking the proper steps in the aftermath of the incident. It starts with seeking medical treatment for any injuries sustained during the abuse.

Next, you should report the situation to the appropriate authorities, either the Warren Police Department or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-4673). After reporting the incident, begin documenting everything you can recall about the abuse and its aftermath.

Your next step should be contacting our legal team at Injury Lawyer Team for a free consultation. Our lawyers have guided many clients through the claims process, securing settlements that cover their losses.

Emotional support is essential at this time to help you recover from sexual abuse or assault. There are several resources in Warren, MI, that you can rely on as a survivor and that can positively impact your life. One-on-one counseling is available with Warren sexual abuse therapists, or you can connect with Turning Point Macomb in nearby Mt. Clemens for additional support services.

What Type of Damages Can An Experienced Attorney Help Recover?

Whether you are dealing with physical pain or emotional distress, the consequences of the incident may affect many areas of your life. You can claim compensation with the help of an attorney for losses that are considered legal damages, such as lost income, medical bills, therapy costs, emotional pain, physical suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life.

Other factors will also affect your settlement, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of evidence in the case, and the perpetrator’s defense.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Sexual Assault and Abuse Cases?

If liability cannot be established in your case, then it doesn’t matter what your legal damages are worth. Liability can be considered for an individual or an institution in Warren, Michigan. An institution may be liable for damages if it was negligent in preventing abuse, failed to report incidents, failed to respond adequately to complaints, or created an environment in which abuse could occur.

Your attorney will also help you determine other legal principles applicable under state law. Vicarious liability occurs when one entity is held responsible for the actions of another related entity. Title IX regulations may affect your case if the abuse occurred at an educational institution.

Similarly, the law has several precedents on power dynamics and abuse within religious institutions, which your attorney can help you understand.

Four elements are required to prove that the defendant “more likely than not” caused the damages you suffer. Those elements are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and legal damages. A lawyer can help you determine if these four elements are present. Lawyers can also help you prove them, such as by advising you on which reports to request from the police. 

Your attorney will help you gather evidence to prove that negligence or misconduct caused the incident that resulted in your legal damages. The legal experts and investigators will interview witnesses and analyze details to establish liability and build a compelling case for sexual abuse survivors.

How Our Warren Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

There are many ways a Warren sexual abuse lawyer can help with your claim.

First, lawyers offer a free case evaluation to answer any questions you have about the claims process. Second, your attorney will rely on decades of experience to investigate your case and back your claim with compelling data. Lawyers will also assess damages to determine a fair settlement and negotiate with the defense to secure the maximum amount.

Although it is rare, your case could proceed to trial. In that case, your sexual abuse attorney will represent you and prepare you for the court proceeding. This trial may involve reviewing documents or interviewing police. 

What are the Time Limits for Filing a Claim Under Michigan Law?

There are specific statutes in Warren that govern when you can file a claim for sexual abuse. This typically falls under the personal injury category, which gives you three years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit.

However, recent laws in Michigan have extended the time limits for certain cases, particularly those involving minors, allowing survivors more time to come forward and seek justice. To protect your right to compensation under state law, you should file as soon as possible with your lawyer.

What is the Average Sexual Abuse Settlement in Warren, MI?

The average sexual abuse settlement for criminal sexual conduct depends on several variables, from the defense strategy your sexual abuse attorney utilizes to the crime itself. Key factors that can impact your settlement include: 

• Whether an institution ignored previous sex crime allegations
• The nature of the crime (sex crimes involving only child pornography may result in a lower settlement than statutory rape that happened over five years)
• What the mandatory minimum is for crimes, such as indecent exposure or child molestation
• If the defendant is already in jail
• Whether the sex crime happened decades ago, and if you still have complications, matters
• How many sex crime cases and clients are consolidated into one
• Whether you go to trial

Working with an experienced law firm in Warren, Michigan, can make a significant difference. A Warren, Michigan, attorney can guide you on whether to go to trial and help you find evidence, such as whether possession of drugs and alcohol played a role. 

Example Cases in Macomb County

A sexual abuse attorney helped negotiate a $3.2 million settlement for a sexual abuse case involving a patient who a psychologist in Macomb County sexually abused. The plaintiff said she was seduced and abused while he was counseling her. She sued the psychologist and the clinic in this sexual abuse case. 

Another plaintiff was awarded $140,000 in damages in a lawsuit against Outback Steakhouse. She was training to be a kitchen manager, but was repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment, such as gestures, comments, and other sex crimes. Another employee was making sexual motions and thrusting behind her when she pulled a basket from the deep fryer, resulting in burns to her face. She was then transferred and demoted to a hostess. 

A teenage male was working at Defendant Tile in Style. The teen said the owner’s son, Scott Lantzy, hired teenage boys to help him on weekends. He alleged he was sexually abused by Lantzy at work and suffered emotional damage due to the sex crimes. Scott Lantzy was convicted, had no criminal defense, and was imprisoned. 

Contact a Warren, Michigan Attorney Today

An attorney from Injury Lawyer Team can make all the difference for your claim in Warren, Michigan. Many clients have earned thousands or millions of dollars in lawsuits that have completely changed their financial outlooks. To protect your rights under Michigan law and secure your financial future, consider filing your claim with an experienced attorney from our firm.

Contact us with our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. 

Related Practice Areas

Ann Arbor Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Detroit Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Grand Rapids Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Sterling 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.