Whether it involves a stranger or someone you know, the pain of sexual assault runs deep. Our Columbus sexual abuse lawyers have the experience to get justice for you from the abuser and the institution that allowed the abuse to occur.
In fact, our client-centric approach has changed institutional policies and procedures to better detect and prevent sexual abuse in Ohio and across the country.
When you need a Columbus personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for the abuse you or your child endured, count on the attorneys at Cooper Elliott and our 100 years of combined experience. We’ve recovered over $700 million for our clients.
How a Columbus Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help You Get Justice
Even though you didn’t do anything wrong, sexual abuse is often difficult to discuss with others. Our focus is on the events leading up to the abuse, and we connect you to resources that can help you heal.
One of those resources may be getting you money to cover therapy bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the abuse.
While our results speak for themselves, here’s more information about how, exactly, we help you with your sexual abuse claim.
Hear About Your Experience
Talk to us about what happened and how the abuse has affected each aspect of your life. Not only does this help us learn where to look for evidence, but it also helps us explain to an insurance company or a jury why you’re entitled to the amount of money you’re asking for.
Gather Evidence
We’ll collect as much physical evidence as we can, including medical records, police reports, eyewitness statements, and other information.
Collaborate With Experts
We’ll collaborate with medical professionals, trauma specialists, and other experts who will discuss what happened and why.
Stand With You
Our lawyers will take your case as far as you want it to go. We won’t push you into anything you aren’t comfortable with, so if you want a quiet settlement over a public trial, we’ll do our best to make that happen.
Get You Maximum Compensation
We may be able to negotiate a good settlement with an insurance company or take your case to trial. We’ll do whatever it takes to get you the fair compensation you’re entitled to, but we’ll only go as far as you’re comfortable with.
For a free legal consultation with a sexual abuse lawyer serving Columbus, call 614-481-6000
How Much Financial Compensation Could You Get for Your Sexual Harassment Claim?
The types of compensation you may be eligible for are broken down into three categories: economic damages, non–economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses that can be tallied up through bills, receipts, or other documentation. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses for therapy or physical injuries caused by the abuse
- Past and ongoing therapy bills
- Lost wages from missing work
- Future reduced earning capacity if the trauma from the abuse is preventing you from working
Non-Economic Damages
Intangible losses that can’t be measured in dollars, non-economic damages include money for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental health difficulties
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (loss of companionship)
- Emotional trauma or psychological damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Punitive Damages
In particularly egregious situations where the person who abused you or your child–or the institution that covered up for them–showed a complete disregard for others or their actions are deemed exceptionally reckless, a judge may award you punitive damages.
Punitive damages aren’t always awarded, and you can’t ask for them. However, if a judge grants them, they tend to be large amounts of money since they’re intended to punish people and hold perpetrators accountable.
Columbus Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 614-481-6000
How Much Time do You Have to File a Sexual Assault Case in Ohio?
The statute of limitations for legal action in personal injury and sexual abuse cases is two years under Ohio law Section 2305.10.
Since the legal process takes a while, we recommend contacting a sexual harassment lawyer as soon as you can after the unwanted sexual contact.
If the abuse happened longer than two years ago, we may still be able to help you via a childhood sexual abuse time limit loophole, so schedule a free consultation with Cooper Elliott today.
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Common Questions for Ohio Sexual Assault Lawyers
We know you may have a lot of questions after your traumatic experience, so here are answers to some of the most common questions our sexual abuse clients ask.
What Can You Expect in Your Initial Consultation?
You will meet with an experienced attorney who will listen to your story and discuss the legal options available to you. We understand the challenges of speaking about sexual abuse, and we won’t ask you to share any uncomfortable details.
We have helped a lot of people who have been abused, and we have a clear understanding of how predators operate. It’s our job to fight for you.
We will be honest with you about how the legal system works and possible avenues we can explore to seek justice. Our attorneys will present you with different options, but you decide what steps you want us to take.
Will You Keep the Victim’s Identity Confidential?
The law permits us to file a lawsuit using “Jane Doe,” “John Doe,” or even someone’s initials in place of their name.
At the outset of a sexual abuse case, especially when a child is involved, we ask the court to issue an order prohibiting anyone from using the person‘s name in a publicly filed document.
Will the Victim Have to Testify if They Are a Child?
It depends on the specific situation. They may have to testify if the child is old enough to truthfully describe what occurred and if they are emotionally secure enough to provide the testimony.
If your child has to testify, measures are put in place to make them feel safe.
Why Take Legal Action Against the Place Where the Abuse Happened?
Whether it’s a school, an investment firm, or a nursing home, it’s often not a secret that someone within the organization is a predator. Co-workers may make jokes about staying away from this person, but nothing is done in earnest to protect someone from getting hurt.
It’s also not uncommon for organizations to actively cover up sexual abuse after it occurs to protect their reputation.
Any company that hires an abuser needs to take a very close look at its hiring practices, training, and workplace culture. A civil lawsuit can bring about important changes that prevent abuse from happening there again.
How Much do Lawyers for Sexual Abuse Victims Cost?
At Cooper Elliott, we don’t want to add to your burden during this difficult time, so we don’t charge you anything upfront. We work on contingency fees for sexual abuse lawsuits, which means we take a portion of your settlement to cover the costs of our legal representation.
Since you only pay us if we win, there’s no risk in scheduling a free consultation.
What Are the Benefits of Settling Out of Court Rather Than Going to Trial?
Most sexual abuse cases are settled out of court. Your lawyer can discuss the risks and benefits of going to trial, but here are a few of the most common reasons people choose to settle out of court:
- Lawsuits are risky. You could lose your case entirely, or a jury might award damages that are lower than you would get with a settlement.
- Privacy. Lawsuit results become part of the public record. That might make you feel uncomfortable.
- Timing. Trials take longer, so you might not get compensation as quickly as you would like. Pending lawsuits can also prevent you from putting this painful chapter of your life behind you.
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Contact a Columbus Sexual Abuse Lawyer to Schedule a Free Legal Consultation
When you’re ready to make your abuser–and the institutions that helped them cover it up–pay, schedule a confidential consultation with a Columbus sexual abuse lawyer from Cooper Elliott.
We have used our extensive experience to recover over $700 million for our clients. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
