Survivors of child sexual abuse can seek justice and financial recovery by filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit in Washington state. It can be difficult to relive such abuse through legal action, but survivors do not have to do it alone. They can hire sexual abuse lawyers who can handle their cases with the compassion and dedication they deserve.
Washington child sexual abuse lawyers can navigate survivors through the various stages of the legal process, such as gathering evidence, assessing losses, and meeting the filing deadline.
Identifying a Liable Party In a Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Washington State
Child sex abuse can occur in various settings, and predators often end up being close to the family, such as friends, associates, and caregivers. For example, child sexual abuse can occur in a school, religious institution, or simply at a friend’s house.
The first step in filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit in Washington state is to listen to the survivor’s story. Sex abuse lawyers will often identify multiple parties that are liable for the abuse, especially if an institution knowingly covered up the abuse or protected the abuser. If accusations of child sexual abuse are brought to administrators, and they fail to alert law enforcement and remove the predator, they share in the blame.
A sex abuse attorney can help you take legal action against:
- A teacher
- A daycare worker
- A summer camp counselor
- A clergy member or any other member of a religious Institution
- A parent
- A medical facility
- A property owner
Similarly, a child sex abuse lawyer may also file a lawsuit against the school, camp, daycare, religious institution, or medical facility where the abuse occurred.
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Assessing Damages in a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Washington State
No amount of financial recovery can undo the harm that has been done; however, survivors of child sex abuse don’t deserve the financial losses that come with their trauma. For example, Rand Health Quarterly notes that the psychological consequences of sexual abuse can leave a survivor unable to perform at their job. Their mental health can also have a negative effect on their personal relationships.
If you are a survivor of child sex abuse, you deserve access to the medical treatment that can help you heal. A child sex abuse attorney can seek awards to help make up for the years that your career and health suffered. For example, financial compensation may cover:
- Medical treatment to address any physical injuries
- Future medical bills for psychological care and counseling, such as therapy and medication
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning capacity
A personal injury law firm can help by assessing your losses and gathering evidence to substantiate them. For example, a law firm may hire expert witnesses, such as medical professionals, to support your case.
Meeting the Deadline for Filing a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Washington State
Time is an element that can deeply complicate a child sex abuse lawsuit. Adult survivors may not even remember their abuse from childhood at first. Many people require time and therapy to fully grasp what happened, which is why the statute of limitations for these types of cases is so frequently challenged in legislation. While some states have extended the filing deadline far beyond what it was, Washington State keeps this window of time relatively short.
Per RCW § 4.16.340, survivors of child sex abuse generally have the following civil lawsuit filing deadline:
- Three years from the date of injury due to abuse
- Three years from the time the survivor discovered or should have discovered their injury was a result of the abuse
The deadline begins counting down on the sexual abuse survivor’s eighteenth birthday, so they typically have until they turn 21 to file a lawsuit.
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Negotiating a Settlement in a Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit in Washington State
Another legal process a sex abuse lawyer can help with is negotiation. Some cases settle before they ever reach trial, which can save a lot of time, money, and emotional anguish, especially when it comes to child sexual abuse cases. Regardless, a legal team should be prepared to represent you in a trial and make your case before a judge or jury.
Specifically, a sex abuse attorney can prevent you from accepting an unfair settlement offer, which would bar you from seeking any additional compensation later on. They can handle the communications with the liable party, their insurers, and their legal representatives on your behalf so that you don’t have to. They can act as your advocate and support you the entire way through.
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Hiring a Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit Attorney on a Contingency-Fee Basis
Many personal injury law firms advocate for sexual assault survivors, and they want to do everything they can to help. One way they can do this is by taking a case on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay any upfront fees or hourly rates to secure a child sex abuse attorney. Their compensation will come as a percentage of your potential case outcome, whether that is a settlement or a verdict.
This allows a law firm to begin working on your case immediately, which helps you deal with the filing deadline. It also gives clients reassurance that their lawyers are working hard and are dedicated to their cases.
The Washington State Child Sex Abuse Lawyers With Van Law Are Here to Help You
If you or a loved one is a survivor of child sexual abuse, the Washington State lawyers with Van Law are ready to listen to your story and see how we can help you. Call us today for a free initial consultation. We can begin working on your case immediately to help you fight for the justice you deserve.
No obligation consultations are always free.
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