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Norwalk Sexual Assault/Abuse Attorney

Sexual Assault/Abuse Attorney in Norwalk 

No one should ever be subject to sexual assault or abuse. Filing criminal charges against the perpetrator can help provide some sense of justice, but it does nothing to help a survivor overcome the emotional and physical damage of such an event. A Norwalk sexual assault lawyer can file a sexual assault personal injury claim to recover compensation for the emotional trauma and physical injuries experienced. 

For over 30 years, the Norwalk sexual abuse attorneys of Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge have been fighting for justice after injuries in Norwalk. Give us a call today to speak with a compassionate Norwalk attorney for sexual assault cases and discuss how we can help you recover compensation after an act of sexual assault in Norwalk or childhood sexual abuse. 

Choosing Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge as Your Norwalk Sexual Assault Law Firm

The Norwalk sexual assault lawyers at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge understand that sexual assault or abuse is a traumatic event that can be difficult to discuss. To that end, we work hard to make our clients feel comfortable and supported as we learn about their cases and advise how to take legal action and seek compensation. 

The legal team at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge is skilled at building a case, negotiating aggressively, and successfully litigating cases in court, and for over three decades, we’ve been recovering compensation for injured clients that often reach seven-figure amounts. 

Our firm’s Norwalk sexual abuse attorneys have been the recipients of legal awards from national organizations such as: 

  • Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent
  • U.S.News: Best Law Firms
  • America's Top 100 Attorneys
  • Super Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers

If you’ve been the victim of a sexual offense in the area, our Norwalk sexual assault law firm has the experience you need to recover the compensation you deserve.

Sexual Abuse and Assault in Norwalk, Connecticut

Sexual abuse and sexual assault comprise a broad category of acts involving unwarranted sexual activity. The primary difference between the two is that sexual assault refers to sex crimes committed against an adult, whereas sexual abuse is the term used to describe non-consensual sexual activity involving a minor. 

Sexual violence is a widespread issue: The CDC reports that over one in two women and nearly one in three men experience sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lifetime, and statistics reported by the Connecticut Department of Education shed light on just how widespread sexual abuse is in Norwalk and other cities across Connecticut. 

Some of these metrics are as follows: 

  • 14% of Connecticut residents report experiencing childhood sexual abuse
  • 44% of Connecticut rape victims are under the age of 18
  • 14% of college women in Connecticut have been raped

A recent four-year study from Connecticut’s Office of Legislative Research found that out of the sexual assault and abuse incidents in which the crime was reported and a conviction was made, there were 1190 convictions for sex crimes involving adults and 1461 convictions for sex crimes involving Connecticut minors

Tragically, countless incidents of both sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse go unreported. The National Sexual Violence Research Center estimates that around 63% of rapes are not reported, while only around 12% of sex crimes involving a child are. These statistics show that untold thousands of individuals in Connecticut alone never see justice served after being the victim of a sex crime. 

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Time Limits

You can file criminal charges against the perpetrator of a sex crime, but doing so does nothing to compensate you for the damage that has been done. Recovering compensation requires pursuing a personal injury claim, and Connecticut law has different time limits in place for filing a sexual assault claim based on your age at the time of the assault. 

Victims of childhood sexual abuse have until age 51 — that is, 30 years from their 21st birthday — to seek compensation through a civil claim. For adults, if the perpetrator can be convicted of first-degree sexual assault or first-degree aggravated sexual assault, there is no time limit for seeking compensation. In most other cases, the victim has three years from the date of the assault. 

Compensation After Sexual Assault in Norwalk

You can seek sexual assault compensation for all areas in which the assault impaired your physical, financial, and emotional well-being, and a Norwalk lawyer for sexual abuse claims will work to identify a target compensation value based on the harm you’ve suffered. Sexual assault often leads to physical injuries and prolonged health conditions. A victim may experience a physical impact in the form of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, sexual dysfunction, problems with fertility, and difficulties conceiving a child later in life. 

Sexual assault and abuse are also highly traumatic, often leading to mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder while also seriously impacting areas of life such as relationships and academic and career success. 

You can claim sexual assault damages in the following areas:

  • Medical bills
  • Future medical costs
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Emotional anguish
  • Reduced quality of life

Compensation for sexual assault or abuse is unique to the individual case. A Norwalk sexual assault lawyer will investigate how the assault has impacted all areas of your life and build an argument for maximum compensation. 

How Our Norwalk Sexual Abuse Attorneys Build a Case

The Norwalk sexual assault attorneys at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge handle a variety of sexual assault cases. Types of cases our firm focuses on include the following: 

  • Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse
  • Child abuse cases involving perpetrators in authority positions 
  • Sexual abuse cases involving social media
  • Sexual assault cases involving negligent security or premises liability
  • Sexual assault cases involving negligent hiring and supervision

How we work to build a case depends on the victim’s age and how the assault or abuse took place. When a case involves a child who has been sexually abused by a teacher, for instance, we might seek compensation through the school, and when an adult is sexually assaulted on a university’s campus, compensation may come through the school’s liability insurance. You can speak with a Norwalk lawyer for sexual assault cases to learn more about your options for seeking your rightful compensation. 

How it Works

Contingency Fees

At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C., we handle all Sexual Assault/Abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today. Contact us online or call our New Haven law firm directly at 203-865-8430.

Questions

Sexual Assault/Abuse FAQs

Who Pays for Compensation in a Sexual Assault Case?

Compensation is typically derived from the insurance policy of the entity or organization found to be at fault for allowing the sexual assault to occur. Instead of seeking compensation from the perpetrator, a lawyer will work to build an argument rooted in a concept such as premises liability, security negligence, or negligent hiring. 

Can I Recover Compensation if the Perpetrator Is Facing Criminal Charges?

Yes. You can seek sexual assault compensation regardless of whether the perpetrator is facing criminal charges. A conviction of sexual assault can help to strengthen your case, and in some cases, it allows the time frame in which you can take action to be extended. For example, a conviction of felony sexual assault removes the three-year statute of limitations, meaning there’s no time limit in Norwalk for seeking compensation. 

Can a Norwalk Sexual Assault Lawyer Help if the Perpetrator Was Not Convicted?

A Norwalk lawyer for sexual assault or abuse cases can help you even if the perpetrator is not convicted of the crime. However, it’s harder to achieve success in a criminal case because the burden of providing proof lies with the victim, as it is not always possible to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the perpetrator committed the crime you’ve accused them of. 

It can be easier to achieve compensation through a civil claim than a criminal conviction. If a civil case goes to court, you simply have to convince the court that it is more likely than not that the assault occurred. 

What Is the Cost of Hiring a Norwalk Lawyer for Sexual Abuse?

The Norwalk sexual abuse and assault lawyers at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge work on contingency. Our clients pay directly from the compensation value we win, and only if we win your case, which allows the victims of sexual assault to seek justice without having to pay legal fees up front. 

Speak with Our Compassionate Norwalk Sexual Assault Lawyers Today

If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse in Norwalk, CT, the Norwalk sexual assault lawyers at Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge are ready to fight for you. It can be emotionally challenging to discuss events involving sexual assault, but our compassionate lawyers work to make you feel as comfortable and supported as possible as we listen to your story and fight to recover the compensation you deserve. 

Contact Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Norwalk attorney for sexual assault.

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