Sexual Abuse Attorney In Ventura, California

Victims of sexual abuse often struggle with physical, mental, and emotional injuries. If you or a loved one are grappling with the aftermath of a sexual assault, you may be wondering if you have other options for legal recourse – even if the perpetrator is facing criminal charges. Victims of sexual assault can and do file civil lawsuits against their perpetrators – here is what you need to know.

Types of Damages Available in Civil Lawsuits

There are two avenues for justice after a sexual assault: in criminal court and in civil court. In a criminal trial, a defendant may face prison time and even additional fines. The Civil justice system, on the other hand, allows the victim to pursue their own money damages against the defendant or others who may be responsible. There are three types of damages available to plaintiffs:

• Economic damages provide compensation for the quantifiable costs of the assault. This includes medical bills, any lost wages, plus the ongoing costs of any mental health counseling or therapy.
• Non-economic damages is simply compensation stemming from losses that ar emch more difficult to quantify Victims of sexual abuse will have emotional scars that last a lifetime. Non-economic damages provide monetary compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and any subsequent loss in life quality following an assault.
• Punitive damages are damages that are designed to punish the defendant for their conduct where that conduct is wanton, willful and shows a reckless disregard for the rights of others.

Due to the horrifying nature of these crimes, juries often award high damages for pain and suffering. However, the perpetrator’s personal assets may not be sufficient to cover these damages. In some cases, victims may be able to file a civil action against a third party, in addition to the perpetrator of a crime. Some examples include:

• A college or university, if the incident occurred on campus and as the result of negligent security
• A business or municipal building where the security was not adequate

An employer who knowingly allowed or failed to prevent an employee from using their position to victimize someone

A personal injury attorney can help you determine who shares responsibility for your injuries.



On October 13th, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed bill AB 218 into law, impacting thousands of sexual abuse survivors who now have the right to file a lawsuit towards obtaining justice.

AB 218 enacts the following changes:

• Increases the age limit to file a lawsuit for victims of childhood sexual assault from 26 to 40
• Provides a three-year “lookback window” on claims which previously fell outside the statute of limitations 
• Extends the civil lawsuit filing deadline from three to five years for those who recently discovered that a psychological injury or illness manifesting in adulthood was in fact the result of sexual abuse endured as a child
• Expands the definition of childhood sexual abuse to be referred to as “childhood sexual assault”

If a cover-up was involved, AB 218 provides courts with the latitude to force defendants to pay up to three times the amount of actual damages to a plaintiff (treble damages)