Were you recently sexually assaulted in Santa Ana, California? Don’t let your abuser or other liable parties walk away without consequence. Call Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyer at (714) 263-3700 and discover how our Santa Ana sexual assault lawyers can help you fight for justice.
Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers is a trusted advocate for victims of senseless acts of violence in Santa Ana and throughout Orange County. We’re top-rated California litigators dedicated to making a difference in the lives of each and every person we represent. The result: millions in monetary settlements and jury awards recovered.
Count on us to put your best interests front and center. Contact our Santa Ana law office at (714) 263-3700 to learn more. Your first consultation is free.
How Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers Fights for Victims of Sexual Assault in Santa Ana, CA
You have the right to press charges against the person who sexually assaulted you. You also have the right to sue. This right isn’t limited to your abuser. You can, in theory, file a legal claim against anyone who is liable for your devastating sexual assault.
Don’t stress out about how to recover compensation or from whom. Focus on putting the pieces of your life back together and leave the rest to our personal injury lawyers.
Choosing Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers means getting the trustworthy, transparent, effective legal representation you need during this difficult time in your life. You’ll be able to count on us to handle all aspects of your civil sexual assault claim, including:
- Reviewing police reports and official investigations into the criminal sexual assault
- Conducting an internal investigation of the incident
- Gather and evaluate evidence, including police reports, medical records, photographs, forensics reports, video footage, and eyewitness testimony
- Hire experts in psychology, forensics, medicine, and other areas of specialty to weigh in and offer insight as we build your case
- Identify your damages and calculate what your sexual assault case is worth
- Determine who, other than the person who sexually assaulted you, might be liable for your injuries
- Fight for you during settlement negotiations with defense attorneys, insurance companies, and other parties
- Navigate any challenges that might arise due to related pending criminal charges against the defendant
- Bring your sexual assault lawsuit to a jury in Orange County, if necessary
We know you’re going through an unimaginably difficult time in your life. Trust us to help you make it through. We’ll handle your civil sexual assault claim on a contingency fee basis. So, you’ll pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call our law office serving Santa Ana, CA, to get started. Your first case evaluation with our team is free.
What Is Sexual Assault?
Simply put, sexual assault refers to non-consensual sexual contact or activity.
This can describe a wide range of conduct, including:
- Sexual battery
- Groping
- Rape
- Statutory rape
- Molestation
In California, sexual assault is both a crime and a tort. This means a person can face criminal charges for a sexual assault and be sued for the harm their victim experiences.
What Do I Have To Prove To Win a Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit in California?
Sexual assault – or sexual battery – is an intentional tort in the State of California. This means you have to prove that another person intentionally tried to (and successfully) cause harmful or offensive sexual contact with you without your consent.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your sexual battery claim, you’ll need to prove:
- The defendant intended to cause harmful or offensive contact with a sensitive part of your body (sex organ, anus, groin, buttocks) without your consent and caused harm; OR
- The defendant caused you to become imminently fearful of harmful/offensive sexual contact with a sensitive part of your body; OR
- The defendant caused contact between an unprotected sexual organ and a sensitive part of your body.
In California, you can sue for sexual assault even if you are never physically harmed or touched in an offensive manner. The fact that another person has the ability to sexually assault you and makes you believe that it will happen is enough to warrant litigation.
Key elements of civil sexual assault claims include intent and consent. You must prove that the defendants acted intentionally and without your consent to engage in sexual activity.
Some sexual assault claims can also be brought against property owners and/or employers. In these situations, sexual assault cases would be based on negligence and/or vicarious liability rather than intentional misconduct.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Santa Ana Sexual Assault Victims?
Sexual assault can change your life forever. It can inflict debilitating injuries, cause extreme emotional distress and embarrassment, and put you in a difficult financial situation.
Fortunately, California gives victims of sexual assault the opportunity to recoup all of these damages and more through a civil personal injury lawsuit.
Specifically, you’ll be able to request compensatory damages from your assailant or another liable party. Compensatory damages can include two different types of monetary awards: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are designed to help you handle financial costs and losses that arise because you’ve been sexually assaulted, including:
- Hospitalization, medication, surgery, and other current medical bills
- Future medical expenses related to rehabilitation, therapy, medical devices, and follow-up treatment
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Funeral expenses if a sexual assault is fatal
- Nursing assistance
In California, economic damages are limited to verified losses and must be supported by documentation – including invoices, wage statements, receipts, and other evidence.
Non-economic damages are designed to help you cope with the almost impossible-to-value trauma and suffering you experience as the victim of a sexual assault, which can include:
- Loss of consortium
- Chronic physical pain
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Embarrassment
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Emotional distress
Since sexual battery is an intentional tort, punitive damages can be awarded if your sexual assault lawsuit goes to a jury. In these situations, a jury can force the defendant to pay compensation above and beyond any compensatory damages to punish them for their reprehensible actions.
Expect a fight when you file a sexual assault lawsuit in Santa Ana. The defense will work hard to blame you, claim you consented to the sexual activity, and downplay any physical or emotional injuries you’ve suffered. Our Santa Ana sexual assault attorneys won’t let these tactics go unanswered, nor will we let them dictate the terms of your case.
Rather, we’ll get to work on building a compelling, persuasive civil claim on your behalf as soon as you ask for our help. We’ll bring in experts to provide insight and support along the way, taking care to prove your losses and set you up for the financial recovery you need and deserve.
Helping You Seek Compensation for All of Your Sexual Assault Injuries
When you’re sexually assaulted, it’s possible for you to suffer severe physical injuries.
At Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers, our sexual assault attorneys in Santa Ana are prepared to help you fight to get compensation for any trauma you’ve experienced, including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injury
- Concussion injury
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Soft tissue injury
- Infections
- STDs
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Catastrophic injury
- Wrongful death of someone you love
Report your sexual assault to the Santa Ana Police Department immediately, then seek prompt medical care at the closest emergency room. Don’t shower or change your clothes before speaking with the police or getting to the hospital. You’ll want to ensure that any relevant evidence is preserved.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuits in California?
If you were sexually assaulted as an adult in California, a ten-year statute of limitations will apply to your civil sexual assault lawsuit.
You may have extra time to file a lawsuit if you later discover an injury or illness arising from your sexual assault. In these situations, you’ll have three years from this discovery to file a lawsuit.
If a child is sexually assaulted in Santa Ana, they’ll have until their 40th birthday or within 5 years of discovering the abuse to take legal action, whichever is later.
Don’t risk missing the deadline that applies to your sexual assault case. Once the statute of limitations expires, you’ll lose the right to demand monetary justice for your unspeakable injuries and suffering.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Santa Ana Sexual Assault Lawyer
Do not struggle with the consequences of sexual assault on your own. Call Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers, and discover how our Santa Ana sexual assault lawyers can help you demand a life-changing monetary award to help you put the pieces of your life back together.
We offer a free consultation, so call our Santa Ana law office to get started today.
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