If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, then you may be entitled to compensation. In addition to a potential criminal investigation against the person who harmed you, you could bring a civil claim to recover compensation for the injuries and damages that you suffered as a result of the assault.

It can be difficult for claimants to think about pursuing legal action after a sexual assault. To help ease this process, consider hiring a Cincinnati sexual abuse lawyer to represent you. The Fitch Law Firm LLC offers a free consultation to learn more about your situation. This consultation is confidential, and there is no obligation to work with us. Call now to schedule your appointment.

Understanding Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes a wide variety of acts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It generally refers to any sexual act in which consent was not given freely, and it can include sex trafficking. The CDC reports that over one in three women and around one in four men have experienced some kind of sexual violence during their lifetime.

Here are some examples of acts that constitute sexual abuse:

Rape
Unwanted touching
Indecent exposure
Constant harassing
Mental coercion to perform or engage in sexual acts
Disseminating child pornography

There are other ways that sexual abuse occurs. This is not an exhaustive list. Survivors of sexual abuse often face serious mental, emotional, and physical injuries. These may last a lifetime for some individuals, even with intensive treatment. The effects can include:

Anxiety
Depression
Eating disorders
Sudden changes in personality
Withdrawing from society
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Issues engaging in intimacy
Sleep disorders or disturbances
Stress-induced physical conditions

It is important to receive treatment if you are the survivor of sexual abuse. This can help to limit further suffering while also creating a record of the injuries and outcomes that you are facing as a result of the abuse. Such records can support your claim for compensation if you decide to pursue legal action against the person who hurt you.

Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC to schedule a free consultation. Whether you are ready to take action or simply want more information about your options, we are here for you.

For a free legal consultation with a sexual abuse lawyer serving Cincinnati, call 614-545-3930

Hold an Abuser Responsible

Proving that someone is responsible for a sexual abuse injury is different in a civil case compared to a criminal case. You are allowed to pursue civil action independently from any criminal investigation that may happen regarding the situation. A lawyer can help you understand more about this and how your civil claim would work. Keep in mind that you only have two years to pursue your claim, according to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2305.10.

In general, survivors of sexual abuse can assert a variety of claims against the persons or companies that may be responsible for the injury. These include the following:

Sexual Battery

The most common civil claim available to sexual abuse victims is battery. This claim seeks to hold someone responsible for the non-consensual willful, intentional, and malicious touching of your person.

Negligent Hiring and Supervision

Another set of claims that may be available to you may involve negligent hiring and supervision. If, for example, an employer hires someone with a criminal record, including charges for sexual battery, indecent exposure, or assault, and said employee engages in improper sexual conduct while employed, the employer can be held liable.

In general, the plaintiff must show that the employer should have known or knew that the employee was not a good fit for the position. Negligent supervision involves a situation in which the employer does not perform its legal duty to supervise its employees in a responsible manner.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

The emotional and mental trauma that results from sexual abuse cannot be understated. It can leave the survivor with a lifetime of pain and difficulty engaging in intimate relationships with others.

A claim for the intentional infliction of emotional distress can hold someone responsible when they cause serious, severe, and debilitating emotional distress to the survivor as the result of intentional conduct.

Basic Negligence

You may also be able to file a claim for basic negligence. In this type of action, you must prove that the defendant owed you a duty to act with reasonable care, failed to act according to that duty, and caused you damages as a result.

These are just a few examples of claims that may be available to you. There may be other theories of liability that apply to your unique situation. A Cincinnati sexual abuse lawyer may review your specific situation to help you assert each possible claim and seek the financial recovery that you deserve.

Cincinnati Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 614-545-3930

What Your Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Do

In addition to identifying all of the damages that may be available to you, your lawyer will perform a variety of important tasks on your behalf. Having someone assist you with the legal process can take a great deal of stress off your plate and help you focus on recovering.

Some of the ways your lawyer will work on your case include:

Investigating the situation and collecting evidence
Interviewing witnesses
Determining who is liable
Filing important documents with the court
Responding to the opposing party
Exploring your rights under any insurance policies
Protecting your privacy
Preparing you for any court appearances or depositions
Negotiating a settlement if that is what you choose
Attending court hearings on your behalf
Preparing for trial

Compensation for Cincinnati Sexual Abuse Survivors

Survivors of sexual abuse in Cincinnati are often surprised to discover the various types of damages they have the right to recover when pursuing a civil claim or lawsuit. When someone else is responsible for causing you to suffer a serious injury or illness, they can be compelled to cover your damages in their entirety.

To ensure every loss is taken into account, your lawyer will need to separate your damages into two categories known as economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are monetary. They include all of the ways your life has been impacted financially by the sexual abuse you suffered.

Examples include:

Loss of income
Diminished earning capacity
Mental health counseling
Doctors’ co-pays
Hospital bills
Ambulance fees
Physical or occupational therapy
Drug or alcohol treatment programs
Childcare expenses
The cost of household maintenance

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify because they do not come with inherent monetary values. Examples include:

Physical pain and suffering
Inconvenience
Emotional distress
Loss of love and companionship
Loss of guidance and support
Loss of society and advice
Diminished quality of life
Damage to your personal or professional reputation
Scarring and disfigurement

You could also be awarded punitive damages. The jury may award punitive damages if they find the defendant’s actions grossly negligent or reprehensible. We can discuss punitive damages during your free case review.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

Resources for Sexual Abuse Survivors in Cincinnati, Ohio

Your well-being is important to us. While you consider legal action, we’ve compiled some resources for sexual abuse survivors:

Ohio’s Sexual Violence Helpline. Here, sexual abuse survivors have 24-hour access to advocates who provide confidential support, crisis response services, and information about more resources near you.
Students for Survivors. Students at the University of Cincinnati offer and have compiled resources for sexual abuse survivors. You don’t have to be a student of the university to gain access to these resources.
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN). RAINN is a non-profit organization that seeks to support survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones. In addition to offering a live chat service, it also provides a wealth of resources to those looking to move forward after an assault.

Our law firm also offers itself as a resource during this challenging time. When you connect with our team, you can share your story with a compassionate team member who wants to help you. We aim to make the claims process as easy as possible.

We Offer Help on Contingency

No one wants to worry about affording legal aid––especially after coming forward with sexual assault allegations. That’s why The Fitch Law Firm LLC extends a helping hand on a contingency-fee basis.

You owe nothing unless your case is resolved, meaning you don’t have to stress about hourly rates or retainers. Some of the funds we recover for you pay for our help. You pay nothing out of pocket.

Contact Our Sexual Abuse Advocacy Team Serving Cincinnati Today

At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we strive to provide clients with the compassionate and informative legal support they want after getting hurt. To schedule your private and free consultation with a team member, call our office.

Call or text 614-545-3930 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Shawn G

2021-06-15

Kristin Peterson did a great job!

Mindy Michael

2021-05-20

Had them for my son and I they were quick to respond to any emails or messages and very helpful to help us get what we deserved. All of the girls on staff were very thoughtful and helpful. Thankful for Becky who even offered personal services!!

Steve Rogers

2021-05-14

When we looked into seeking representation after my son's car accident we did not know anybody who had experience with as an attorney with car wrecks. So we looked online at all the firms that specialize in auto accidents, then by using as our criteria the reviews we selected The Fitch Law firm. Right from the start they were extremely helpful . They explained how the process would go based on our specifics of the accident and then basically did all the work to file a claim and get all that we were entitled to. Working with Becky and Kirstin was perfect, they kept us informed every step of the way and if we had questions they had time to explain them making sure we understood each time. Our case was not a high dollar amount but they still offered above average service and looked out for us like it was. I highly recommend The Fitch Law firm without hesitation.

Julianna Poole-Sawyer

2021-02-28

Our experience with the Fitch Law Firm was incredible. We worked with Kirstin, and she's really gone above and beyond for us. I cannot recommend them highly enough. After our car accident, we were so overwhelmed by the insurance companies, and Kirstin made everything so easy for us. We never would have gotten such a good settlement without her. They seem to really care about their clients, and they are very responsive. They worked hard to answer our questions thoroughly and in a timely manner.

Nicholas Mavromatis

2020-12-17

I was involved in an accident as the passenger of the responsible party during Feb. of 2020. I completed physical therapy in June of the same year. I worked with a firm that was not as responsive as I would have liked, so I sought representation elsewhere to ensure the claim was handled correctly. I couldn’t have been more fortunate to task The Fitch Law Firm with this case. Associate attorney Kirstin Peterson was assigned to my case, and I couldn’t have asked for someone so thorough, professional, responsive and down right genuinely caring than her. There were some unforeseen obstacles, but throughout my doubts she maintained consistent in reassuring me she was doing everything she could to make sure things were going as smoothly as possible. I highly recommend this firm and having nothing but more than positive things to say about the associate attorney assigned to my case. Thank you so much Fitch Law Firm, and Kirstin Peterson. You guys are extraordinary in what you do!

William Hafford

2020-12-07

I simply gave you guys a good rating due to information i received from a friend. Your right iv never been a client of yours but if I need a good attorney I will keep you in mind.

Latisha Mcgary

2020-11-11

I was in a car accident on 10/21/2018 that was not my fault. I googled different accident laywers. And came across the fitch law firm. From the first time i walked thru the doors mr fitch and becky made me feel at ease. Mr fitch thought my case woukd be good to take on. The other parties insurance was extremely difficult to deal with.and i can say mr fitch represented me well. And Becky checked in on me and kept me updated on the case. Its been 2 years and my case finally settled i was ok with the amount given. And i will use the fitch law firm again if ever needed.

Mariah Mason

2020-09-29

They were very helpful and responsive. I loved how professional they were & how I wasn’t just another “Number” to them. I thank everyone in the office for their help ESPECIALLY my time I spent & got to know Attorney Kirstin. Thank you Fitch Law Firm :)