Being targeted by an act of sexual assault is a singularly traumatic experience no one should ever have to go through, and it is always the fault of the person who committed the assault. That said, anyone who has ever been in this position before knows how emotionally exhausting it can be to press criminal charges against a rapist. Even a favorable result from that kind of case only results in punishment for the defendant, not direct assistance for you as their victim.
For this reason and many others, understanding your right to file a civil suit against your attacker in addition to criminal prosecution, as well as how a qualified personal injury attorney can help you enforce that right, is important. From beginning to end of your legal proceedings, your Reading rape victim lawyer can ensure your best interests are protected and work tirelessly to get you compensated as fairly as possible.
Filing a civil suit over sexual assault is an entirely separate and equally important proceeding from pressing criminal charges over that same act. The goal of criminal prosecution is to punish someone for breaking the law, but the goal of civil litigation is to reimburse someone negatively affected by another person’s actions for specific losses they sustained because of that misconduct.
Getting a favorable result from a civil sexual assault lawsuit is easier than from a criminal case due to the different standards of proof applicable to each proceeding. As a Reading rape victim attorney can further explain, proving someone criminally guilty of rape beyond a reasonable doubt can be much more challenging than proving them civilly liable for the same act.
A successful lawsuit or settlement demand over injuries caused by sexual assault can demand compensation for economic and non-economic losses stemming from those injuries and psychological harm caused by the assault itself. While every case is unique, common examples of damages include:
Courts can also impose punitive damages against people who cause harm through malicious actions like sexual assault. Punitive damages specifically punish the defendant by making them pay extra compensation to the person they injured. A rape litigation lawyer in Reading can offer further guidance during a private initial meeting about what damages may be available in a particular situation.
Filing a lawsuit over an injury someone else caused you to suffer is emotionally and legally difficult. Compassionate legal counsel can relieve some of your stress and allow you to focus on healing.
Working closely with a Reading rape victim lawyer can do a lot to improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve, with or without accompanying criminal charges. Call today to schedule a consultation.
