Naperville Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Sexual abuse is a highly distressing experience to go through and can have a profound and long-lasting impact on victims, both physically and mentally. There is still a long way to go to ensure that victims of sexual assault not only receive justice but have their stories heard. 

Rosenfield Injury Lawyers is devoted to supporting abuse survivors in their journey of recovery. If you have been affected by sexual abuse, our sexual abuse lawyers are here to support you. We provide the highest standard of professional support, representing you legally and ensuring you receive justice, whether in the form of compensation, a settlement, or a verdict. 

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfield Injury Lawyers, we are steadfastly committed to securing the highest levels of compensation for clients who have suffered from sexual abuse. Our sexual abuse lawyers are highly trained, compassionate, and determined to make a difference in the lives of survivors. 

We look at each client’s situation not just as a legal case but as an individual human experience. This approach has allowed us to establish a proven track record of securing large settlements and verdicts in these highly sensitive cases. 

With our extensive expertise in this field, our law firm is well-positioned to give you the highest standard of legal support. 

Understanding Sexual Abuse and Assault in Naperville, IL

Sexual abuse is when a person is tricked, forced, or manipulated into participating in sexual activities. Sexual assault refers to when a person is physically touched in a sexual way without their permission. 

Both sexual assault and abuse are characterized by the lack of consent given by the individual who has been abused and typically demonstrate a power dynamic between the victim and the perpetrator.

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

Common forms of sexual abuse include but are not limited to: 

• Rape: penetration of the vagina with a penis without consent;
• Sexual assault: a sexual act of any nature inflicted on someone without their consent;
• Childhood sexual abuse: sexual activity with a child by an adult or an adolescent;
• Sexual harassment: unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or advances;
• Spiking: the act of placing alcohol or drugs in someone’s drink without consent.

Institutions Where Sexual Abuse Is Most Likely to Occur

We have experience handling cases originating from a wide variety of institutions and environments. These include but are not limited to:

• Workplace
• Inpatient Treatment Facilities
• Prisons and Correctional Facilities
• Foster Care
• Daycare Facilities and Nursing Homes
• Educational Institutions
• Religious Institutions
• Nursing Homes
• Sports Clubs
• Military Institutions
• Hotels and Short-Term Rentals
• Shelters

Steps to Take If You Are a Victim of Sexual Assault

If you have experienced sexual assault, there are a series of steps you can take to get the support you need and to begin the process of pursuing justice. However, the first and most important thing you need to do is ensure your safety and well-being. This may involve calling the authorities or finding somewhere safe to stay.

Once you have ensured your immediate safety, you can gather evidence to document the abuse. This may include text messages, audio recordings, or photos. 

The next step is to seek legal help from a qualified attorney with expertise in handling sexual violence cases.  While your attorney works on a legal case, you should explore the resources and support services available to you to aid you in your recovery.Specific resources are available to Illinois citizens, including ICASA, The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Another well-established organization that offers support to all US citizens is RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network). They run a 24/7 helpline available to victims of abuse and offer a multitude of valuable resources on their website.

Compensation Awarded in Sexual Abuse Cases

There are a variety of avenues our attorneys will explore to ensure victims of abuse receive the compensation they deserve.  From a legal perspective, compensation is available for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and emotional damages. 

The amount of compensation received will depend on several factors, such as the impact the sexual abuse has had on a victim’s life, the consequential financial loss the abuse has caused them, and how severe it was. 

Liability in Sexual Abuse Cases

Liability refers to being legally responsible for an action. In a sexual abuse case, the liability will fall to either the individual who inflicted the abuse or an institution. Various factors will determine who is deemed liable. 

If the perpetrator belongs to an institution, for example, if they are an employee, the institution can be held liable on grounds of negligence. Institutions can also be held liable due to vicarious liability, a legal concept that applies to some types of institutions, meaning the institution is held legally responsible for the actions of its employees. 

Specific legal standards apply to religious and educational institutions to safeguard vulnerable individuals due to the inherent power dynamics that exist in these circumstances. 

If an institution is found to be negligent, it means they have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse. This includes failings such as: 

• Inadequate supervision of staff: a lack of supervision of staff and activities, allowing for abuse to occur discreetly without the knowledge of senior staff.;
• Insufficient background checks: failure to vet staff properly during the hiring process, leading to the recruitment of individuals who may have a history of abuse; 
• Inadequate responses to complaints:  a lack of a proper process for responding to complaints and learning from them ensures abuse is likely to be repeated without consequence.

There is also a specific law that safeguards vulnerable children and students in educational institutions. These regulations, known as Title IX Regulations, dictate that the institution must respond appropriately to reports of sexual misconduct, or they will be liable for damages. 

How to Prove a Sexual Abuse Case

When it comes to establishing liability in a sexual abuse case, our attorneys adopt a systematic, stepped approach. This includes:

• Gathering evidence; 
• Proving negligence or intentional misconduct;
• Demonstrating the link between the abuse and the harm suffered.

Legal experts and investigators will work closely together to build a cohesive case. Legal experts are responsible for developing legal strategies, while investigators conduct hands-on investigations to gather the necessary evidence to support the case. 

How Our Naperville Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

As a client, our attorneys will help you in several ways. They will:

• Provide guidance on how to navigate civil law.;
• Develop a coherent legal strategy for your case;
• Represent your interests in court;
• Present evidence to the judge.

The Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Naperville, IL

Statutes of limitations effectively refer to the time window by which victims need to report a crime in order to seek a legal verdict or settlement. This limitation can vary depending on certain factors, such as the perpetrator’s age and the nature of the crime, and also by state. 

In Illinois, personal injury cases related to sexual assault, the statute of limitations depends on a variety of factors, such as when the assault took place as well as whether the victim was a child or an adult at the time.  You can discuss the statute of limitations relevant to your specific situation during a free consultation.

Contact Our Naperville Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today!

Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online contact form, and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have. If you are hesitant or nervous about this process, please know that we provide a completely free initial consultation.