Gainesville Sexual Assault Lawyer

Gainesville Sexual Assault Lawyer

Were you or a loved one sexually assaulted in Gainesville, FL? You may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against your attacker and negligent third parties. An experienced Gainesville sexual assault lawyer at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Collectively, our lawyers have over 300 years of experience handling personal injury cases. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients over the years.

We’d be proud to help you fight for justice. Call our law offices in Gainesville, Florida at (877) 255-3652 today to schedule a free consultation.

How Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Sexual Assault Case in Gainesville 

How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help With a Sexual Assault Case in Gainesville 

Sexual abuse is an unforgivable crime. You deserve to see your attacker behind bars. In fact, you deserve every bit of justice the law has to offer. That can include holding responsible parties financially liable. 

Sexual assault cases can be complex and emotionally charged. Our Gainesville personal injury attorneys are well-equipped for the task. We have over 300 years of combined experience helping clients get the money they need and deserve.

When you establish an attorney client relationship with Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers your lawyer will:

  • Identify anyone who may be responsible for your injuries
  • Gather all relevant evidence
  • Work with your doctors and hire experts to assess the cost of your injuries
  • Deal with the insurance companies and sex crime defense attorneys
  • Fight to maximize your compensation award

Our Gainesville personal injury lawyers hold a “10.0 Superb” rating from Avvo and an AV preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Members of our team have also earned a spot on the National Trial Lawyers’ list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers. 

Don’t trust those accolades alone. Call our team to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help with your financial recovery.

How Common is Sexual Assault in Gainesville?

How Common is Sexual Assault in Gainesville?

Statistics show that someone in the United States is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. In Florida alone, 8,105 rapes and 331 attempted rapes were reported in 2018. Police arrested only 1,937 suspects statewide.

In Alachua County, 322 sex offenses were reported to law enforcement in 2018. 

Unfortunately, sexual assault is probably much more common than the numbers show. In fact, it’s estimated that around 80% of all sexual assault cases are never reported.

What is My Gainesville Sexual Assault Case Worth?

Sexual battery is a criminal offense in Florida. However, you may be entitled to hold your attacker and other responsible parties liable for financial compensation — even if criminal charges are pending.

The dollar value of your individual case or situation will depend on:

  • The nature of the defendant’s actions
  • The severity of your injuries
  • Your anticipated recovery time
  • The cost of your medical treatment and out-of-pocket expenses
  • How the attack and injuries changed your life

You’ve been the victim of a serious crime. It can seem impossible to put a dollar value on your suffering. Let our attorneys tackle that complex task. With the help of experts and specialists, we can estimate how much your personal injury case is worth and help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Sexual Assault in Gainesville, FL?

The criminal justice system penalizes Gainesville sex offenders with jail time and financial penalties. In civil court, the remedy is damages. In other words, you can recover financial compensation to cover the costs associated with your injuries.

Those costs include both financial expenses and non-financial pain, suffering, and trauma.

Your financial losses are called economic damages. Victims are often entitled to recover compensation for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and income
  • Diminished future earning potential
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Psychological counseling
  • Medications 
  • Property damage

Non-financial losses are called non-economic damages. You may be entitled to money for your:

Courts also have the authority to award punitive damages. Punitive damages don’t cover a specific loss. Instead, they punish the defendant for malicious or intentional wrongdoing. While punitive damages are rare, courts may be inclined to award these damages to punish your attacker.

At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers we’re here to make sure you recover the full compensation you deserve. We’re ready to start fighting for you. To learn more about how we can help, call for a free initial consultation today.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries

Our lawyers are passionate about protecting our clients’ rights. We’ll fight to recover fair compensation for all of your injuries–both physical and emotional.

We represent sexual assault victims who have suffered:

Sexual assault is an extremely violent crime. Your physical and psychological injuries can change your life. If you were hurt, reach out to our lawyers in Gainesville today. We’ll do everything possible to recover the fair compensation you need and deserve. 

Who Can Be Held Financially Responsible for Sexual Assault in Gainesville?

Florida follows modified comparative fault laws with a 51% bar to recovery. Anyone whose actions contributed to the assault can ultimately be held financially responsible for your damages.

That includes your attacker. It’s your attacker who actually committed the assault – and that person can be held fully accountable for damages in civil court. However, someone else’s negligence may have made the assault possible. 

It’s possible to hold a negligent third party responsible for injuries caused by reasonably foreseeable criminal activity.

Responsible parties may include:

  • Business owners, including bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and stores
  • Hotels
  • Apartment complexes and landlords
  • Cruise ships
  • Schools 
  • Colleges and universities
  • Sports and entertainment complexes
  • Rideshare companies
  • Hospitals 
  • Nursing homes 
  • Parking garage operators
  • The employer of your attacker, if the attacker was working
  • Government agencies 

The attacker may be facing criminal charges. The courts may order the attacker to pay you restitution. Regardless of what a Gainesville criminal defense attorney tells you, it’s important to understand that restitution is separate from damages in a civil personal injury case. Even if your attacker is found guilty, you still have the right to sue for damages in civil court.

It’s important to remember that the standard of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal cases. You may be entitled to hold your attacker liable even if the prosecution can’t convict based on the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard.

How Do I Prove Negligence in a Gainesville Sexual Assault Case?

In Gainesville, property owners and managers have to make sure their invited visitors, guests, and customers are safe. That includes installing adequate security to prevent foreseeable crimes. Failing to provide adequate security is a type of negligence.

To recover damages for sexual assault injuries based on negligence, you must establish:

  • The legal duty of care that applies in your case
  • The attack was reasonably foreseeable
  • The property owner breached the duty of care by failing to take precautions
  • Failure to install adequate security allowed the attack to occur
  • Damages 

Property owners owe customers and guests a legal duty of care under Florida premises liability laws. Most civil sexual assault claims against third parties are based on negligent security. If the property owner failed to provide a reasonable level of security, you may be entitled to damages.

What constitutes “reasonable” security depends on the circumstances. Property owners must adopt stricter security measures in neighborhoods where criminal activity is common or foreseeable. 

That might include:

  • Hiring security guards
  • Installing security cameras
  • Making sure locks are properly installed and working
  • Keeping gates closed
  • Providing adequate lighting
  • Screening and training employees

Business owners can also be held liable for the wrongful acts of employees under vicarious liability theories.

How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit in Florida?

Injured parties have a limit of four years to file a sexual assault lawsuit in the State of Florida. Once the four-year statute of limitations expires, you could lose your right to compensation.

You may have more time to sue your attacker for damages. It’s possible that your civil case could be stayed–or paused–while your attacker faces criminal charges.

Unfortunately, you risk losing money if you don’t take legal action before the deadline. We know these cases can be complex. Our Gainesville sexual assault attorneys at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers will stand by your side every step of the way. This website is for general informational purposes only, so call today for the legal advice you deserve.

Contact a Gainesville Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you were a victim of rape, indecent exposure, or another sex crime, you deserve justice. Our lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers will aggressively seek compensation from everyone who was responsible. To schedule a free consultation, call a Gainesville sexual assault lawyer who can protect your legal rights today.

Our personal injury law firm in Gainesville, FL also provides: