In the state of Maryland, there are many complex laws regarding sexual assault and other related crimes. Victims of sexual assault in Suburban Maryland should seek medical care immediately and secure competent legal representation.
Whether an instance of sexual abuse results in a criminal proceeding or not, victims can pursue financial compensation for their injuries through a civil claim.
With the help of an accomplished legal professional in Suburban Maryland, victims can file a lawsuit against the perpetrator. No amount of money can make up for the trauma of a sexual assault. Still, victims can seek to hold offenders financially accountable.
If you need legal representation to file a sexual assault claim, contact Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP as soon as possible. Our firm proudly serves victims across the state of Maryland. We will fight diligently to recover all of the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled.
Filing a Lawsuit on Different Forms of Sexual Assault
Unfortunately, anyone can experience sexual assault. Both adults and children can suffer from this type of traumatic event.
It is important to speak with an attorney in the aftermath of an assault. There are many different circumstances that qualify as sexual assault. Some of the most common instances include:
- Human trafficking cases
- Religious sexual assault or abuse by clergy
- Rape or assault by a stranger in a public venue
- Sexual assault in a caregiving environment—including schools and hospitals
- Molestation by a family member or family friend
Depending on the specific facts of the case, victims can secure many different types of financial recovery. Civil sexual assault lawsuits can hold the offender accountable for the harm that they caused.
In some cases, victims can also file a lawsuit against negligent third parties. For instance, if a school, hospital, nursing home, or other institution is partly liable for sexual assault, victims can hold these organizations responsible.
Common Types of Damages in Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuits
A sexual assault can result in many different types of harm for the victim. The clearest form of damage from this type of abuse is personal, physical, and emotional. However, victims typically suffer financial losses, as well.
Fortunately, plaintiffs in civil sexual assault claims in Suburban Maryland can seek financial compensation for any losses they sustained. The legal term for payments to assault and injury victims is “damages.”
In most civil sexual assault cases, victims can pursue at least two types of financial damages. The two most common categories are “economic” and “non-economic” damages.
Explaining Economic Damages
This type of payment compensates assault victims for the financial losses resulting from their injuries. When you have experienced sexual assault, there are many monetary costs that typically arise.
Plaintiffs in Suburban Maryland civil sexual assault lawsuits can pursue compensatory payments for:
- Current and past medical bills and debt
- Anticipated future medical expenses and treatments
- Physical therapy
- The cost of necessary counseling
- Any associated property damage
- Lost wages or income from missing work
The emotional toll of a sexual assault is incalculable. But most people do not consider the significant financial harm that this kind of event can cause.
When you speak with a skilled Suburban Maryland personal injury attorney, they will help you determine the value of the economic damages in your case.
Explaining Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate sexual assault victims for their negative personal, emotional, physical, and psychological experiences. Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic experiences that anyone can have.
Some typical examples of non-economic damages in Suburban Maryland sexual assault claims include:
- Physical pain and suffering from the injuries
- Emotional anguish and distress
- Depression, anxiety, and panic disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
- Scarring or disfigurement
This type of damage is very difficult to quantify. But the emotional and personal harm victims suffer as a result of sexual assault is devastating.
Speak with a knowledgeable attorney to calculate the value of non-economic damages in your case. You should not be left managing the harm and losses that another person’s wrongful actions caused.
What are punitive damages?
In many sexual abuse cases, plaintiffs can recover “punitive” damages. These financial payments are intended to punish the person who perpetrated the abuse.
Judges may demand that the defendant pay punitive damages in addition to the economic and non-economic compensation they owe. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases involving gross negligence, criminal acts, or malice.
Contact Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis Today
When you need legal representation you can trust, reach out to Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis. Since our founding in 1979, we have fought for many victims of sexual assault and injury.
Our trial attorneys know what it takes to secure justice for our clients. To speak with one of our knowledgeable Suburban Maryland personal injury lawyers, contact the offices of Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis as soon as possible.