Sexual assault is one of the most severe types of personal injury cases in existence. In many cases of sexual assault, victims are left with injuries – both physical and emotional – that can last for years or cause intense suffering. If you were injured in a sexual assault case, you may be entitled to substantial compensation from the assailant.
Maryland attorneys for injuries caused by sexual assault can help victims coordinate treatment, document injuries, and claim compensation for the harms they face.
Our attorneys work to fight individual assailants and institutions to get our clients the financial compensation they deserve. In many cases, this means suing schools, churches, employers, and other institutions that failed to help keep you safe.
If you are a sexual assault survivor and you faced injuries, you need compensation, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras. Our Maryland attorneys for injuries caused by sexual assault help survivors get monetary compensation for their medical bills, therapy costs, and other damages. For a free, confidential case consultation, call us at (410) 694-7291.
What Damages Can Injury Victims Claim for Sexual Assault in Maryland?
Sexual assault does not always involve physical injury. In many cases, sexual assault survivors face mental and emotional scars from the assault that could take years to heal – if they ever truly heal.
Aside from these harms, many victims also face traumatic physical injuries from rape and sexual assault. Our Maryland lawyers for injuries caused by sexual assault fight to help get these damages paid by the responsible parties.
Mental and Emotional Anguish
If you were sexually assaulted, you have likely faced mental and emotional trauma from the event. Many sexual assault survivors deal with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other serious mental health issues. These can be compensated to help reimburse you for these mental and emotional harms.
Counseling and Therapy
If you were sexually assaulted, you may seek to deal with that trauma in therapy or counseling sessions. If you are seeking therapy for the effects of the assault, the costs of therapy and other counseling services should be paid by the parties who harmed you. That can also potentially include the cost of psych medication.
Medical Care
Many victims of sexual assault face physical injuries. Assailants can often physically restrain or violently injure people while assaulting them, leaving physical injuries that could take time and expensive medical care to recover from.
Victims could also face physical healthcare needs related to the rape itself, potentially including surgery for an injury to the affected areas or abortion care. Our Maryland attorneys for sexual assault injuries can seek to get these costs paid in a personal injury lawsuit.
Pain and Suffering
While the mental and emotional effects of sexual assault can be severe, the physical pain and associated mental suffering can also be intense. Injuries that take time to recover from can lead to lasting pain and discomfort, which you can also claim damages.
Lost Wages
If you had to miss work because of the physical injuries resulting from mental health crises or other results of your sexual assault, you could be entitled to damages for lost wages. Talk to an attorney about how to calculate these damages.
Punitive Damages
Sexual assault at institutions like schools and churches often garners news reporting and hurts the reputation of institutions that we are supposed to be able to trust. Courts can also force institutions like these – and private individuals – to pay their victims additional damages.
These damages are not meant to reimburse the victim for their injuries and trauma, but rather to punish the responsible parties. Talk to an attorney for sexual assault injuries to see whether your case might be eligible for punitive damages and how much you can claim.
Suing for Sexual Assault Injuries vs. Filing Criminal Charges in Maryland
Many victims of sexual assault and rape find it difficult to come forward. They may be concerned that police and prosecutors will do little to help them after their assault.
While filing criminal charges against your assailant might be part of your next steps, our sexual assault injury lawyers can also seek to help you get personal justice and compensation for what happened to you.
While the criminal justice system’s focus is punishment and rehabilitation of the offender, injury attorneys focus on helping the victims and survivors of sexual assault. If you were sexually assaulted, you may be able to file a civil injury case against your assailant, whether or not there is a parallel criminal case.
In this injury case, you can seek to have your physical and emotional injuries compensated, which can help you move forward in the aftermath of an assault. The damages paid can go a long way to helping you cover your expenses and move forward with your life.
In many sexual assault cases, you can sue not only the individual or individuals who assaulted you but also any responsible institutions. For example, many victims who are sexually assaulted at school, in church programs, at camps, or in other activities could be able to hold the school, church, camp, or other institution responsible.
People sexually assaulted at work may also be able to hold their employer responsible for failing to provide a safe environment. Negligent security claims can also be filed against other unsafe properties where sexual assaults happen, such as parking garages and apartment complexes.
Call Our Maryland Attorneys for Sexual Assault Injuries to Schedule a Free Consultation
Our Maryland lawyers for injuries caused by sexual assault work to help survivors claim damages against their assailants and other liable parties. To schedule a free case consultation, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.