Seattle Sex Abuse Attorneys
- What Is Sexual Abuse?
- The Legal Rights for Victims of Sex Abuse in Seattle Washington
- Notable Sex Abuse Cases in Seattle
- How Our Lawyers Can Help You After You Suffered Sexual Abuse in Seattle
- How Long Sexual Abuse Survivors and Their Families Have to Take Legal Action
- Get in Touch with Herschensohn Law for Help with Your Seattle Sex Abuse Case
After surviving sex abuse in Seattle, you should take care of yourself before anything else and have access to the treatment you need to help you cope with this trauma. You also have the right to hold the perpetrator of this crime accountable for their actions. Instead of tackling this task on your own, have an attorney with Herschensohn Law go to bat for you.
While you get help, our lawyers can investigate the instances of abuse, identify the liable parties, and go after the compensation you are entitled to recover. Give us a call today at (206) 588-4344 to learn more about how we can assist you. Our team offers a free case review to all potential clients.
Child sexual abuse refers to any form of sexual contact between a child and an adult or older child. The act may involve physical force, threat, or manipulation. It can also include showing pornography, exposing children to sexual acts, or forcing them to watch or participate in sexual acts.
Sex abuse in Seattle often happens when the victim is young and unable to understand what’s happening or unable to give consent. Sex perpetrators may use force, trickery, or emotional manipulation to exploit the victim.
While many of the sex abuse cases involve minors, even adults are victims of this crime. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), one in ten women is abused by their partner, and 8% of rape occurrences happen at workplaces. All victims of sexual abuse have the right to pursue the liable party for compensation and justice.
The abuser, the person who failed to protect them, or even the institution that enabled the abuse to happen may be at fault for the sexual abuse you endured.
Once you have identified the responsible party, a lawyer from our team can evaluate what damages you sustained as a result of the abuse. You may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Therapy and counseling costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Mental anguish
Although they’re rare, sexual abuse survivors may be entitled to obtain punitive damages. These damages aim to punish the other party for the injuries and hardship they caused you. Your lawyer can determine whether you qualify for this form of compensation.
People we’ve helped
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
There are many notable cases in Seattle that have brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse and helped victims get justice.
Clergy Abuse
While churches are supposed to provide spiritual nourishment and comfort for the community, they can be breeding grounds for predators. In fact, several people have filed lawsuits against the Catholic Church in Washington state, alleging that it failed to protect children from sexually abusive priests and cover-ups by church leaders.
Per the Seattle Times, in 2016, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain released the names of persons who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children from 1923 to 2008. He also apologized to victims and their families for the church’s failure to protect children from abuse by clergy members.
Abuse in Schools
Schools have also been targeted by predators because of the access they have to children and the ability to be alone with them. Schools have been sued for failing to protect students from sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, and other staff members.
Suffering sexual abuse takes a toll on every part of your life. After going through such a trauma, you should focus on putting your life back together and healing, not building a legal case against the other party. Have one of our sexual abuse attorneys at Herschensohn Law take charge of it on your behalf.
They can:
- Speak to specialists and experts
- Interview witnesses
- Gather medical records and other types of evidence
- Identify the responsible party and hold them accountable
- Recover a settlement during negotiations
- Maintain communication with parties involved
- Fight for you during a trial, if needed
We want you to be a part of this case as much as possible, so our attorneys can keep you posted on the status of your case. If you still have questions, contact us right away. With Herschensohn Law on your side, you’ll never be in the dark.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Our Seattle Sexual Abuse Lawyers?
We understand that this may be a difficult time for you, not just physically and emotionally but also financially. Our attorneys consider these hardships, so they can take your case on contingency.
Under this payment agreement, we don’t take our fees unless and until we recover for you. So, we don’t ask for anything hourly, up front, or out of pocket.
The statute of limitations for sex abuse is complicated. RCW 4.16.340 extended the amount of time a victim has to take action. Survivors must file within:
- Three years of the date of the action that caused the injury; or
- Three years of the date that they discovered the abuse occurred; or
- Three years of the date that they knew or should have known that their abuse caused their injury
The statute of limitations also pauses until after a child has turned 18. You should not be tasked with determining when the time for taking action expires. Our team will help you determine how long you have to take legal action and protect your right to seek justice.
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
If you or a loved one suffered sex abuse in Seattle, you may have grounds to hold the other party accountable for your damages. A lawyer from Herschensohn Law can investigate what happened, review the evidence, and pursue the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Call Herschensohn Law today at (206) 588-4344 for a free consultation.
Our results speak for themselves
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.