Sexual abuse is a devastating violation to experience. The aftermath can impact so many parts of your life, including your physical and mental health, your relationships with others, and your sense of safety. At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand how hard it can be to talk about these situations, but we are here to help.
Our sexual abuse lawyers in Stockton are committed to helping our clients get the answers and support they need. With decades of experience between us, we know what it takes to help you build a strong case and recover full and fair compensation.
Our Stockton personal injury lawyers can explain your legal rights and what steps to take next. We will walk you through your options and give you the guidance you need to make informed decisions.
What Counts as Sexual Abuse in California?
Sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact, touching, or behavior done without your consent. This could involve force, threats, pressure, manipulation, or taking advantage of someone who is unable to consent because of age, fear, or mental state. Abuse can happen in personal relationships, in workplaces, in schools, or in any other setting.
In California, civil claims for sexual assault and abuse are addressed in state law, including the California Code § 340.16, which sets specific rules for bringing a claim based on sexual assault. This law recognizes that the impact of sexual abuse can last for years and gives survivors the right to pursue monetary damages from the person or entity responsible.
The Difference Between a Civil Sexual Abuse Case and a Criminal Case
A civil sexual abuse case is different from a criminal case. While criminal charges focus on punishment by the state, a civil claim is about you: your recovery, your healing, and holding the responsible party financially accountable for what you have suffered.
Every survivor’s experience is unique. If you are unsure how your situation fits under California law, our sexual abuse attorneys in Stockton can help. We will walk through your case with you privately and respectfully, answer your questions, and help you understand your options before you decide what to do next.
How Our Sexual Abuse Law Firm in Stockton Can Support You
Reaching out to a lawyer after something this painful can feel intimidating. Our goal is to make the process feel safe and manageable. When you contact us, we start by listening. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
If you decide to move forward, our team will take on the legal burden so you don’t have to. We can:
- Investigate what happened: We review the details of your situation and gather the information needed to move your case forward, always using care and discretion.
- Preserve key evidence: This may include messages, reports, photos, videos, or records from any institution or workplace involved in the abuse.
- Work with qualified professionals: When helpful, we consult medical providers, mental health experts, or other specialists who can strengthen and support your claim.
- Manage all communication: We handle every interaction with the responsible person, their lawyer, their insurance company, or any organization connected to the case.
- Prepare a detailed claim: We build your case in a way that reflects the full physical, emotional, and financial impact the abuse has had on your life.
You are not expected to confront the person or institution that harmed you. Our firm will take on that responsibility. Your focus should be on healing and getting the support you need, while our Stockton sexual abuse lawyers concentrate on the legal work required to pursue justice on your behalf.
Sexual Abuse Case Settlements
Sexual abuse can affect your health, your emotional well-being, your work, and the way you move through daily life. A civil claim allows you to seek financial compensation for the harm you’ve experienced and the support you may need moving forward. Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical care: This can include doctor visits, follow-up treatment, or any future care you may need because of what happened.
- Therapy and emotional support: Many survivors work with counselors or trauma-informed professionals, and the cost of that care can be part of a civil claim.
- Income you lost: If you had to miss work or step away from your job while recovering, those financial losses can be included.
- Impact on your ability to work: Some survivors find that the trauma affects their long-term job prospects or earning potential, and the law allows you to seek compensation for that.
- Physical and emotional pain: The law recognizes both the physical harm and the emotional toll that sexual abuse can cause.
- Long-term psychological effects: Conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or changes in how you relate to others may also be considered.
- Changes to daily life: If the abuse has affected your ability to enjoy activities, relationships, or routines that once brought you comfort, that loss can be part of your claim as well.
We take the time to understand how the abuse has affected you. Our goal is to pursue compensation that truly reflects the depth of those losses and supports your recovery. Keep in mind that the statute of limitations on a personal injury claim in California is two years from the date of the incident.
However, sexual abuse cases can sometimes follow different rules, especially in cases involving childhood abuse or delayed discovery of harm. The timelines can vary depending on the details of your case, so it’s important to speak with an attorney early to protect your rights.
Support Is Here When You’re Ready
You deserve to be heard and to have a legal team that will take your case seriously. At Omega Law Group, we’ve helped many clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and we’ve recovered millions of dollars in results for people who needed someone to stand up for them.
We’re here to guide you through your options and help you take the next step when you’re ready. Our firm offers free consultations and will handle your case with the privacy and respect you deserve.