Were you or a family member a victim of sexual assault in Stuart, FL? A violent sexual assault can change your life forever. Call Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (772) 444-7000 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Stuart sexual assault lawyer today. You may deserve significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We’ve used our skills and experience to recover over $500 million on behalf of our clients. If you’re struggling in the wake of an assault, call our law offices today. We’ll do everything possible to help your family fight for justice.
How Can Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Help Me Fight to Recover Compensation After a Sexual Assault in Stuart?
If someone else hurt you in Stuart, Florida, Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers won’t back down until we get the compensation you deserve. Our team is committed to fighting for you and helping you pursue justice every step of the way.
Clients trust us because:
- Our attorneys have been selected for membership in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and have been recognized by Super Lawyers.
- We’ve earned a place on the Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum and a Superb Avvo rating, reflecting our dedication to achieving strong results for our clients.
- You can count on our personal injury lawyers to handle every aspect of your case. We’ll start by launching our own investigation and gathering the evidence needed to support your claim.
- We have relationships with experts who can testify about the value of your hard-to-value losses related to the trauma you’ve experienced.
Someone has caused you a significant amount of pain, and while no amount of money can undo the trauma you’ve experienced, pursuing compensation can help you move forward. Our attorneys are here to help you get every ounce of justice that’s available.
It’s never too early to learn about your legal rights and options. Call us today to get started and speak with a Stuart personal injury attorney.
How Common Is Sexual Assault in Florida?
According to reports published by Florida State University, someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every two minutes.
In Florida alone, 6,755 forcible rapes were reported across the state. Of course, it’s critical to remember that not all sexual attacks involve completed rape. It’s also important to remember that not all sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement.
By some accounts, roughly 80% of all rapes are never reported.
Overview of Florida’s Laws on Sexual Assault
As in all states, sexual assault is a crime in Florida. The term used in the criminal justice system is sexual battery. Sexual assault is also an intentional tort. While we hope your attacker is caught and punished in criminal court, that’s not always what happens. As a survivor of sexual assault, you deserve to understand the full range of options that are available to help you get justice.
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal case, you also have the right to pursue compensation for sexual assault in civil court. Both the attacker and any third parties who allowed the attack to occur may be held liable.
When most people think of personal injury cases, they think of car accidents and slips and falls. In reality, personal injury laws are designed to protect all parties who are injured because of someone else’s actions or omissions. That’s true whether that party’s behaviors are accidental or intentional.
How Much Is My Stuart Sexual Assault Case Worth?
There’s no simple way to answer this question. Your attorney will first review the facts of your case when determining how much compensation to demand.
Factors that will play a role in assessing your case value include:
- How severely you were physically injured
- Your financial costs, including for medical care, therapy, rehabilitation, etc.
- Non-physical impacts, including pain, trauma, fear, and depression
- How the attack impacts your ability to work
- Whether you will make a full physical recovery
- Long-term impacts and trauma associated with the attack
- The nature of the defendant’s actions or omissions
All personal injury victims have questions about how much compensation they’ll receive. Consulting an experienced attorney is the only way to really know. Our attorneys are always here to discuss your case, so give us a call to talk today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Sexual Assault in a Civil Case?
Like any personal injury victim, you can seek compensation for any loss you’re dealing with because of the attack.
Your economic damages award should represent all past and projected future expenses associated with the assault, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Mental health counseling and treatments
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
A non-economic damages award attempts to compensate for the intense personal suffering and pain you’ve endured, accounting for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental trauma
- Anxiety
- Severe depression
- Fear
- Damage to your self-esteem
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Problems with fertility
- Damage to personal relationships
Courts may award punitive damages to punish your attacker for their intentional and unacceptable wrongdoing. Punitive damages punish a defendant, rather than compensate a victim. While rare, punitive damages may be particularly appropriate to punish your attacker.
Our Attorneys in Stuart Handle All Types of Sexual Assault Cases
Sexual assault can take many forms. Our attorneys represent clients who have survived all types of sexual abuse, including;
- Rape
- Domestic violence
- Campus violence
- Date rape
- Statutory rape
- Sex trafficking
- Sexual exploitation
- Child sexual abuse
- Unwanted sexual contact
You’ve endured a traumatic event that no person should have to experience. Our Stuart sexual assault attorneys are here to help. While money can’t take away the pain and trauma you’ve endured, recovering compensation can help you move forward with your life.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer To Handle a Civil Sexual Assault Case in Florida?
Our personal injury law firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis. With contingency fee arrangements, you only pay when your attorney recovers compensation. You’ll agree to pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict to cover attorneys’ fees.
The important thing to remember is that you can secure top-quality legal services with zero upfront costs.
Our Attorneys in Stuart Represent Survivors of Sexual Assault With All Types of Injuries
Victims of sexual assault are vulnerable to a range of injuries, depending on the level of violence they’ve experienced.
Victims of sexual assault may experience:
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Vaginal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Crushing injuries
- Unwanted pregnancy
Many victims of sexual assault experience chronic physical injuries. Others are plagued with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for years to come. It’s important that your settlement or verdict account for both your immediate physical injuries and anticipated long-term impacts associated with your attack.
At Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’re dedicated to helping our clients recover compensation that accounts for all losses they’ve experienced–both physical and non-physical.
What Is the Legal Basis for a Civil Sexual Assault Claim in Florida?
Several different legal theories can apply in a civil sexual assault case, depending on who is responsible for the harm. In some cases, multiple parties may be held accountable.
Intentional Torts
Someone commits an intentional tort when they deliberately harm another person. This is the primary legal theory used to hold the perpetrator financially responsible for a sexual assault.
Because the conduct is intentional, the victim may be able to recover compensation for both physical injuries and emotional harm.
Premises Liability
Premises liability laws apply to businesses and property owners. When they allow others onto their property, they have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe.
This can include providing adequate lighting, security systems, or personnel to help deter foreseeable criminal activity, including violent assaults.
Negligent Security
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a property owner fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent crime.
These cases can involve a wide range of locations, including:
- Colleges and universities
- Bars and nightclubs
- Parking garages and parking lots
- Big box stores and shopping centers
- Government entities
- Hospitals and nursing homes
- Airports
- Entertainment venues
To hold a property owner accountable, you generally must prove that:
- The owner knew or should have known about the risk of violence
- Reasonable security measures were not in place
- The lack of security contributed to the assault
These cases can be complex and often require strong evidence to establish liability.
Vicarious Liability
Vicarious liability allows employers to be held responsible for the actions of their employees in certain situations.
If the person who committed the assault was working at the time of the incident, it may be possible to pursue compensation from their employer as well.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Sexual Assault in Florida?
The amount of time you have to file a civil lawsuit for sexual assault in Florida depends on the specific facts of your case and the legal claims involved.
In many personal injury cases, Florida law imposes a two-year statute of limitations. However, claims involving intentional acts—such as sexual assault—may be subject to different deadlines. In some situations, the filing period may be longer, particularly if the case involves certain circumstances like delayed discovery or a minor victim.
Because these deadlines can vary, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Waiting too long could impact your ability to recover compensation, especially as evidence becomes harder to obtain over time.
Contact a Trusted Stuart Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Sexual assault is an incredibly violent act. At Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we are here to support survivors in Stuart, Florida, and guide them through their legal options. To learn more about your right to pursue financial compensation, call an experienced Stuart sexual assault attorney who can protect your interests.