If someone committed a sex crime against you or a loved one in Los Angeles, you may be able to take action to hold the perpetrator responsible in civil court. You may be able to pursue a claim or a lawsuit to potentially recover an award based on the physical, emotional, and financial losses you endured because they victimized you.
You do not have to relive this terrible time in order to build a case. Instead, a Los Angeles sex crimes lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to handle all aspects of your civil case for you. To learn more and speak with a member of our sex crimes team about your case for free, call (800) 794-0444 today.
Civil Cases Based on Los Angeles Sex Crimes
Many people do not understand that there are two types of courts involved when a perpetrator victimizes someone else, causing harm and financial losses. These are the criminal courts and the civil courts.
Criminal courts deal with proving the perpetrator is guilty of a sex crime and handing down a sentence. When it comes to criminal courts, any of the offenses listed under California Penal Code § 261 might constitute a sex crime. This might include:
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Sexual crimes committed against minors
If convicted in criminal court, these offenders may serve time and be listed in the California Sex and Arson Registry (CSAR) per California Penal Code § 290.46. However, none of this will allow you to recover compensation for the expenses and suffering you experienced as a result of being a victim of the sex crime.
This is where the civil courts come in. You may be able to work with a Los Angeles sex crimes lawyer to collect evidence and prove your case, securing a settlement or award based on your related expenses and losses. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we may be able to help you if you were the victim of:
- A member of the clergy
- Volunteer or staff from the Boy Scouts of America
- A doctor
- A coach
- Another leader or authority figure
It is important to note that a criminal conviction can help us prove your case but is not strictly necessary. The burden of proof is easier to meet in a civil case than in a criminal one, and the statute of limitations may be longer, as well. This may mean you can take civil action when it is not possible to prove a criminal case against them.
Let Us Build a Civil Case Based on Your Expenses and Losses
Our Los Angeles sex crimes team from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understands how difficult it can be for survivors of sex crimes. Even once any physical injuries heal, the emotional toll it takes can last years or even decades. We want to ensure you understand this was not your fault–the perpetrator should be held accountable.
You should not have to spend your own money to pay for related medical care, mental health counseling, trauma healing, and other aid. We may be able to help you take action against anyone who abused you and those who enabled it to happen. They should pay for your expenses and losses, not you.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case today.
For a free legal consultation with a Sex Crimes Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Securing a Settlement or Award in an L.A. Sex Crimes Case
This type of case can move forward in several different ways. In some cases, out-of-court settlements may fairly compensate victims. In others, the case may need to go before a judge and jury. In the most high-profile cases where there were dozens (or thousands, in some cases) of victims, there may be a mass tort. This will allow you to stand in solidarity with other abuse survivors and demand justice.
The types of losses and expenses we generally seek to recover for our clients in these cases may include:
- Costs of medical care, including mental health care
- Prescription costs
- Costs related to ongoing counseling and support
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Time Limits on Recovering Compensation in a California Sex Crime Case
It can sometimes be difficult to know exactly how long you have before time runs out and you lose the right to file a lawsuit in this type of case. While the personal injury statute of limitations in California is only two years, per California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, it is not always easy to determine when the clock began ticking or if other rules apply.
The best way to learn if you have a case against someone who hurt you by committing a Los Angeles sex crime against you is to talk to an attorney who handles civil cases of this type. You can reach a member of the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm team today.
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Speak with a Member of Our Los Angeles Sex Crimes Team
If you are a survivor of a sex crime in Los Angeles County or a nearby area, a Los Angeles sex crimes lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help. We take on tough cases, including those when a criminal conviction was not possible. You can discuss your case with a member of our team today, and we will evaluate it for free.
If we decide to work together to pursue a case against those who hurt you or failed to protect you, you will not need to pay us any upfront costs. We will take our fee only after we secure a settlement or an award. If we are not able to reach an agreement or collect an award, we will not get paid.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now at (800) 794-0444 to get started with your free consultation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
