San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Lawyer
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- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
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Sexual abuse inflicts profound trauma, leaving lasting scars on survivors’ physical and emotional well-being. In the state of California, incidences of sexual harassment are alarmingly prevalent, withĀ reported rates 5 percent higher for women and 10 percent higher for men than the national average.
SurvivorsĀ often confront formidable obstacles in their quest for justice and accountability against perpetrators. At Feher Law, we recognize the immense courage required for victims to step forward and seek justice amidst such trauma. Our commitment lies in offering compassionate support and unwavering legal advocacy to survivorsĀ throughout Southern California.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in the San Bernardino area, know that you are not alone in navigating the legal journey.
Why Choose Feher Law
Choosing the right legal teamĀ can make or break your case. We distinguish ourselves as supporters of survivors, providing both empathetic support and steadfast dedication to securing justice.
- Top-Tier Legal Advocacy: Feher Law is the premier choice of personal injury representation, offering unmatched skill-tailored care to victims. With us championing the cause, rest assured that a committed team works tirelessly to ensure just compensation after sustaining injury.
- Record of Remarkable Outcomes: Our firm has a strong track record of success in handling sexual harassment cases, with notable courtroom victories. One such achievement includes securing a $2,700,000 verdict in the Whipple vs. U.S. Metro case in Van Nuys. This case exposed U.S. Metro Group’s negligence in allowing unsupervised nighttime access to work locations, resulting in the assault of a young individual.
- Experience in Litigation and Trials: With vast experience as litigators, we manage all phases your case entails, from initiation through trials. Our readiness to represent you in the courtroom ensures the pursuit of rightful compensation.
- Empathy at Every Step: We are aware of injuries’ profound impact on individuals and their families. Hence, our lawyers offer caring advice and active support every step of focusing on your health relief hardships.Ā
CASE RESULTS
RESULTS FROM OUR MOST RECENT CASES
Meet Our Experienced Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Experience the expertise and dedication embodied by Feher Law’s sexual abuse attorneys. Every team member brings a rich background of professional expertise, steadfast dedication, and deep compassionāqualities fundamental to our work.
Hear From Those We've Helped
Through these testimonials below, you can gain insight into our team’s resilience and the profound difference that dedicated legal advocacy has made in their lives.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Liability can extend beyond theĀ perpetrator to include other individuals or entities who may have contributed to or enabled the abuse.
By holding all responsible parties liable, we strive to ensure that survivors receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Parties that could be held liableĀ include:
- The abuser
- Employers or institutions that failed to supervise or respond to reports of abuse properly
- Individuals who knew about the abuse but failed to report it or take action
- Organizations or entities that provided access to the victim and failed to implement proper safety measures
- Caregivers or guardians who were entrusted with the victim’s well-being but neglected their duty to protect them
Compensation Claims for Sexual Abuse Survivors
For survivors, seeking compensation is more than a legal process; it’s a step towards healing and reclaiming control over one’s life. It requires courage to confront such deeply personal trauma, and the pursuit of justice can be an emotional journey.
Filing a compensation claim involves:
- Consultation: Meeting with a lawyer to discuss the details of the case and determine the best course of action.
- Gathering Evidence: Collecting documentation, witness statements, and other evidence to support the claim.
- Negotiating Settlements: Negotiating with the responsible parties or their insurance companies to reach a fair settlement.
Once a claim has been filed, victims of the sexual activityĀ may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Damages for Emotional Distress: Compensation for the psychological trauma, anxiety, and emotional suffering caused by the abuse.
- Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for the costs of therapy, counseling, medication, and other medical treatments related to the abuse.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost as a result of the abuse, including past and future earnings.
Various factors play a pivotal role in determining the compensation awarded to sexual abuse survivors:
- Firstly, the severity of the abuse endured by the survivor, encompassing physical, emotional, and psychological harm, significantly influences the compensation amount.
- Secondly, the enduring impact of the abuse on the survivor’s life, including their mental well-being, capacity to work, and overall quality of life, is carefully considered in determining the appropriate compensation.
- Lastly, the level of liability attributed to the perpetrator(s) and other accountable parties for the abuse also weighs heavily in the compensation decision-making process.
How a San Bernardino Attorney Strengthens YourĀ Case
A San Bernardino attorney from our law firm specializing inĀ sexual assault cases will offer comprehensive support, including:
- Free and ConfidentialĀ Consultation: Providing a safe and confidential space for survivors to share their experiences and receive personalized legal advice.
- Legal Representation: Representing survivors in court proceedings, negotiations, and interactions with insurance companies.
- Specialized Expertise: Having in-depth knowledge and experience in handling cases like yours, including understanding relevant laws, procedures, and legal precedents.
- Building a Strong Case: Conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and build a compelling legal argument to support your case.
- Advocating for Rights: Fighting for your rights, interests, and well-being throughout the legal process, including seeking maximum compensation and holding responsible parties accountable.
What to Do Immediately After Experiencing Sexual Abuse
It’s essential to take immediate and structured steps to ensure your safety, well-being, and any potential legal actions. Here’s a concise sequence to follow:
- Ensure Immediate Safety: Remove yourself from the immediate danger and find a safe place.
- Seek Prompt Medical Attention: Visit a healthcare facility or hospital promptly, even if you don’t have visible injuries. Medical professionals can address concealed injuries, provide emergency contraception, test for potential STDs, and conduct forensic examinations.
- Preserve Evidence: Refrain from bathing, showering, changing clothes, brushing teeth, drinking, or eating before receiving medical care. These actions could compromise vital evidence crucial for legal proceedings.
- Document Every Detail: Write down all details you remember about the incident as soon as possible, including the time, location, descriptions of the perpetrator, and what was said. This documentation will be essential later on.
- Report the Incident to Law Enforcement: When you feel ready, contact the police to report the crime. You can do this directly through the police department or hospital staff during a medical examination where law enforcement can be involved.
- Seek Specialized Legal Representation: Connect with us so we can offer guidance on protecting your rights and navigating the complex legal landscape toward seeking the justice and compensation you deserve.
- Consider Counseling and Support Services: These resources can provide recommended coping mechanisms to deal with the trauma experienced and begin the healing process emotionally and psychologically.
What Evidence is Needed?
Evidence plays a leading role in proving the occurrence of the abuse and holding the responsible parties accountable:
- Medical Records: Medical documentation of injuries sustained during the abuse, as well as records of any medical treatments or therapy sessions related to the incident, can serve as critical evidence in your claim.
- Eyewitness Testimonies can attest to your behavior before and after the incident can strengthen your case.
- Digital Communications: Emails, text messages, social media interactions, or other digital communications that provide evidence of the abuse or the perpetrator’s behavior can be invaluable.
To collect and preserve evidence effectively, you should:
- Document everything you remember about the incident, including details such as time, location, and description of the abuser.
- Keep any physical evidence, such as clothing or objects involved in the abuse, in a safe place.
- Contact a San Bernardino sexual abuse attorneyĀ as soon as possible for guidance on evidence preservation and collection.
Statute of Limitations forĀ Cases in California
In California, the statute of limitationsĀ depends on the timing of the incident and the age of the victim. For incidents occurring after the victim’s 18th birthday, the claim can typically be filed within ten years of the assault or three years from realizing injury due to the assault.Ā
This same timeframe applies to incidents that occurred on or after January 1, 2019. Under CA Civ Pro Code Ā§ 340.16, adult victims of sexual abuse and assault have a window of 10 years from the event to file a case or within three years since discovering any injury or illness resulting from the assault.Ā
Survivors need to be aware of these limitations and seek legal guidance promptly to ensure their rights are protected, and any potential claims are filed within the specified timeframe.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in San Bernardino?
You don’t need to worry about upfront costs. We understand the financial concerns of seeking legal representation for such sensitive matters, so we operate on a contingency fee basis.Ā
This means that you only pay legal fees if we secure a favorable outcome in your case. There are no hourly rates or retainer agreements to worry about. Additionally, we offer a freeĀ consultationĀ to discuss your case and provide you with an understanding of your legal options without any financial obligation.Ā
Investing in skilled legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.Ā
Privacy and Confidentiality CommitmentsĀ
At Feher Law, we know how deeply personal and sensitive a sexual abuse case is. That’s why we put your privacy and confidentiality at the heart of everything we do. We make sure that only the people who really need to know about your case, like our lawyers and essential staff, have access to your information. And when we talk to you or anyone else about your case, we do it in a way that keeps everything secure.
We also get that sometimes, coming forward with what happened can feel scaryāespecially if you’re worried about staying private. If you want to share your story without letting everyone know it’s yours, we’ve got ways to help keep your identity under wraps.
Our main goal is to ensure that you feel safe and supported so that seeking justice feels more like taking back control rather than adding stress.
By putting privacy first, we hope to give you the strength and confidence needed to step forward. With us by your side, you don’t have to worry about being judged or facing backlash for speaking up; instead, focus on healing, knowing, and handling things with the utmost care and respect.
General Information For Sexually Abused Victims
What isĀ Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse encompasses a range of behaviors and actions that violate an individual’s autonomy, dignity, and consent. It can manifest in various forms, including physical, psychological, and digital, and often occurs within relationships of trust or authority.
ExamplesĀ may include but aren’t limited to:
- Physical:Ā This involves unwanted physical contact or assault, such as groping, fondling, rape, or other forms of sexual violence.
- Psychological: Psychological abuse can involve coercion, manipulation, threats, or blackmail to gain sexual compliance. It may also include verbal harassment, intimidation, or degradation aimed at controlling the victim.
- Digital: With the rise of technology, sexual abuse can extend into the digital realm through actions such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images (revenge porn), cyberstalking, or online harassment.
The Lasting Effects of Sexual Abuse on Survivors
Sexual abuse can have profound and long-lasting effects on survivors, impacting their psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. These effects may include:
- Trauma and PTSD: Survivors of sexual abuse often experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance, which can significantly impair their daily functioning.
- Trust Issues and Relationship Difficulties: Sexual abuse can erode trust in others and make it challenging for survivors to form or maintain healthy relationships. They may struggle with intimacy, have difficulty trusting others, or fear vulnerability.
- Low Self-Esteem and Shame: Survivors may internalize feelings of shame, guilt, and worthlessness, blaming themselves for the abuse or feeling unworthy of love and respect. This can lead to low self-esteem, self-destructive behaviors, and feelings of isolation.
- Physical Health Consequences,Ā such as chronic pain, sexually transmitted infections, or gynecological problems due to physical trauma.
No matter the situation, we understand the complexities of sexual trauma and are dedicated to victims of sexual abuse to reclaim their lives and seek the justice they deserve.
Civil and Criminal Lawsuits in Sexual Abuse Cases
In the pursuit of justice for survivors of sexual abuse, it’s essential to understand the two primary avenues available: civil and criminal lawsuits. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Civil Lawsuits
Civil lawsuitsĀ are focused on seeking compensation and holding perpetrators or other liable parties accountable for their actions. The primary goals of civil lawsuits include:
- Compensation for Damages:Ā Survivors may seek financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages they have suffered due to the abuse. This can include medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Accountability:Ā By pursuing civil litigation, survivors can demand acknowledgment of the harm done to them and seek justice on a personal level.
Survivors have certain rights in civil lawsuits, including:
- The right to legal representation
- The right to present evidence
- The right to a fair trial
Criminal Lawsuits
Criminal lawsuits, on the other hand, are initiated by the state or government against the perpetrator. The primary goals of criminal lawsuits include:
- Punishment and Rehabilitation:Ā The criminal justice system aims to hold abusers accountable for their actions through punishment, such as imprisonment or probation. Additionally, criminal proceedings may include opportunities for rehabilitation or treatment for offenders.
- Public Safety:Ā Criminal prosecutions serve to protect society by removing dangerous individuals from the community and deterring others from committing similar offenses.
Survivors also have rights in criminal cases, including:
- The right to testify
- The right to be informed about the progress of the case
- The right to restitution
While survivors may not initiate criminal proceedings themselves, they can play a crucial role as witnesses or complainants.
We Support Sexual Abuse Survivors Across Southern California
We believe in empowering our clients by creating a safe space for their voices to be heard, ensuring they receive the respect and dignity they deserve every step of the way. This is why our San Bernardino personal injury lawyers serve all the major areas in the County, including but not limited to:
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Ready to Talk With Our San Bernardino Sexual Abuse Lawyers?
In the aftermath of trauma, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about where to turn. But you don’t have to face this journey alone. Our experienced California sexual abuse attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the support, understanding, and resources you need to confidently move forward.
If you’re ready to take the next step towards healing and empowerment, we encourage you to reach out to us for a confidential consultation. Together, we can help you navigate the legal process, advocate for your rights, and work towards achieving the justice and closure you deserve.
Contact us today at (866) 646-6676 to schedule your free consultation or complete the form below, whichever you feel most comfortable with.
Services We Offer
When it comes to your recovery and peace of mind, it’s vital to have an expert by your side that really understands the bigger picture of personal injury law. Explore the full range of services we offer below.
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Our team is standing by and ready to assist you. Consultations are completely free and confidential. We will help you determine if you have a case.
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
- We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- Get The Justice You Deserve
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