Baltimore Attorney for Injured Victims of Sexual Assault

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that someone is sexually abused or assaulted every 73 seconds in the United States. Many of the victims are children and teenagers, who can be targeted by trusted authority figures like teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, babysitters, neighbors, or even family members. If you or one of your loved ones was the victim of rape, sexual abuse, or sexual assault in Baltimore, know that you are not alone – and that our office is here to help you fight for the justice you deserve.

At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we have extensive experience filing complex personal injury lawsuits involving rape, child molestation, and sexual abuse. We devote our utmost care, respect, and professionalism to handling these cases, offering compassionate legal support while fighting aggressively to recover compensation. Our goal is to help you heal by holding your attacker or abuser responsible for your losses. To talk confidentially in a free legal consultation with our Baltimore lawyer for sexual assault injuries, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras 24/7 at (410) 694-7291, or contact us online.

Sexual Assault Statistics

Unfortunately, crimes like rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and child molestation are more common than most people realize. Shockingly, RAINN reports that on average, more than 430,000 Americans are sexually abused or assaulted each year, with especially high rates of abuse in the following groups:

  • Jail and prison inmates (approximately 80,600 victims per year)
  • Children (approximately 60,000 victims per year, with children aged 12 to 17 accounting for the majority of cases)
  • Members of the military (approximately 18,900 victims per year)

Females are more likely to be targeted than males, accounting for roughly 90% of all rape and sexual assault victims while males account for the other 10%. Regardless of gender, most victims are attacked by a person they already know, such as a friend, family member, neighbor, coworker, acquaintance, spouse, ex-partner, or employer. More than half of all rapes and assaults occur in or near the victim’s home or apartment, with smaller numbers occurring in public places or in places that are unfamiliar to the victim.

Can Victims of Sexual Assault File a Claim for Compensation in Baltimore?

When someone is accused of committing rape, sexual assault, or similar acts, he or she can be charged with a crime and prosecuted by the state. This may lead to a conviction, a guilty plea, an acquittal (finding of “not guilty”), the dismissal of the case, or other outcomes.

Regardless of how a criminal case concludes, the victim of a sex crime can file a civil lawsuit, which is a separate, non-criminal case whose purpose is to recover “damages” (compensation) for the victim. Even if no criminal charges are ever filed, the victim of rape or abuse can still file a civil lawsuit to seek damages. This can include financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

  • Medical bills resulting from the rape or assault, including costs for medical exams, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, surgery, hospitalization, gynecological care, medication, stitches, and other treatments or procedures
  • Costs for psychiatric treatment, therapy, or counseling, in addition to treatments for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Loss of income or earnings related to injuries the victim sustained
  • Pain and suffering
  • Projected expenses for treatments, counseling, or other care that the victim is reasonably expected to need in the future

In certain cases, punitive damages are also available. While compensatory damages, such as the examples listed above, attempt to compensate the victim for losses and expenses, punitive damages are meant to punish the abuser and act as a deterrent to others.

How Long Do You Have to Sue for Sexual Assault Injuries in Baltimore, MD?

After someone has been injured or assaulted, he or she may wish to file a lawsuit against the person or people who were responsible. it is important to know that there is a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Baltimore, which is called the statute of limitations.

The state’s personal injury statute of limitations is three years, which means that a rape or assault victim may generally sue for up to three years after the attack occurs. However, there is an exception for minors which extends the length of time for filing a lawsuit. If a person was raped or sexually abused when he or she was under age 18, he or she has up to seven years to sue the perpetrator or perpetrators under state law, instead of three years.

Baltimore Lawyer for Injuries Caused by Sexual Assault + Abuse

Being raped or sexually assaulted is a traumatic and harrowing experience that can take many years to begin recovering from. We are here to help you by fighting to hold your abuser responsible for your emotional and physical injuries.

For a free legal consultation with our Baltimore lawyer for sexual assault claims, call our offices 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (410) 694-7291. You can also contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online.