New York Sexual Abuse Lawyer

If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse, our New York sexual abuse lawyers can help you. We understand the emotional trauma and life changes you may have to make as a result of your abuse. With over $1 billion in recoveries, we’re here to help you fight for your voice to be heard and the compensation you need.

At Morelli Law Firm, we’re known for taking on some of the biggest companies, so when you’ve experienced sexual abuse, our attitude is no different toward your abuser. Our New York personal injury lawyers can help you discover if you have a sexual abuse case, understand the legal process, and determine what compensation you qualify for.

Who Can Be a Victim of Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It is essential to understand that the definition of sexual abuse includes individuals under the age of 18 and often involves abuse that occurs over a prolonged period. Here’s a closer look at the different aspects:

• Children and minors: Sexual abuse frequently involves minors who are under the age of 18. Children are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse due to their limited understanding, dependency on caregivers, and increased susceptibility to manipulation or coercion.
• Continued abuse: Sexual abuse is typically characterized by a pattern of repeated incidents over a period of time. It often involves an ongoing relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, where the abuse persists and may escalate gradually.
• Power imbalance: Sexual abuse often occurs within a context where there is a power differential between the victim and the perpetrator. This power imbalance can exist in various relationships, such as between an adult and a child, a teacher and a student, or an employer and an employee.
• Diverse range of victims: While sexual abuse can predominantly affect children and minors, it is important to recognize that individuals of any age can be victims. Sexual abuse can occur within relationships, marriages, or even in institutional settings, and it can impact people from all walks of life.

How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Claim?

If you were sexually abused as a child, The Child Victims Act allows you to file a civil lawsuit against your abusers and any other third parties until you are 55 years old. 

If the abuse occurred when you were an adult, our team can help you understand what your deadline is. Our team at Morelli Law Firm understands that going through the legal process after experiencing sexual abuse can be overwhelming. 

That’s why our team can handle a majority of the legal tasks while you heal from the physical and emotional injuries the abuse has caused. If you have any questions about your case or the legal process, we can answer them.

What Third Parties Could Be Responsible for Sexual Abuse?

In some sexual abuse cases, there may be additional parties that contributed to the sexual abuse by failing to protect you. Some of the most common third parties that you may hold accountable are:

Institutions and Organizations

You may have experienced sexual abuse within institutions and organizations such as schools, religious institutions, sports clubs, or youth organizations. These entities have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for individuals under their care, including protecting them from sexual abuse. If they fail to implement proper safeguards, adequately respond to reports of abuse, or neglect their duty to protect individuals from harm, they may be held liable for the actions of the perpetrators.

As a survivor, you have the right to seek justice and hold these institutions and organizations accountable for their failures. By seeking legal action against them, you can not only seek justice for yourself but also contribute to preventing future instances of sexual abuse within their premises or programs.

Employers

If you have experienced sexual abuse in a professional setting or employment relationship, it’s important to know that employers also bear responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employers have a duty to protect their employees from harassment and abuse, including sexual abuse.

If your employer was aware of the abuse or should have reasonably known about it but failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address it, they can be held liable for their inaction. If you’ve experienced sexual harassment, our New York sexual harassment lawyers can help you hold your employer and the liable parties accountable. 

Medical Professionals

If you experienced sexual misconduct by a healthcare provider, therapist, counselor, or other medical professional, it’s crucial to understand that they have breached their duty of care towards you. These professionals hold a position of trust and are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Engaging in sexual misconduct with those under their care is a violation of this duty, and you can hold them accountable for their actions.

What Constitutes Sexual Abuse in New York?

New York splits the definition of sexual abuse into three degrees. The three degrees of sexual abuse include:

• First-degree sexual abuse: A person individual can be charged with first-degree sexual abuse if they engage in sexual contact with another person through forcible compulsion or if the victim is incapable of giving consent due to physical helplessness, mental incapacitation, or being under the age of 11.
• Second-degree sexual abuse: Second-degree sexual abuse occurs when a person has sexual contact with another person without their consent. This offense involves forcible compulsion or occurs when the victim is under the age of 14 or has a mental disability that renders them unable to provide consent.
• Third-degree sexual abuse: New York Penal Law Section 130.55 defines third-degree sexual abuse as the act of subjecting another person to sexual contact without their consent. This offense is committed with the intention of the perpetrator’s sexual gratification or to degrade or abuse the victim.

When you meet with our team for a free consultation, we can further detail what actions qualify as sexual abuse. We make a strong effort to avoid re-traumatizing you when discussing the details of your case, so we can stop at any time if you need a break.

What Compensation Can You Recover for Sexual Abuse?

We know that money can never erase what happened, but recovering compensation from the liable parties is helpful to cover any costs you may face. Here are some of the damages our New York sexual abuse attorneys may recover for you:

• Medical expenses
• Therapy and counseling costs
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs

Speak to a New York Sexual Abuse Attorney Today

If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse, our sexual abuse lawyers in New York can help you file a civil claim against your abuser and any third parties involved. At Morelli Law Firm, we build a strong case and help you get the settlement you need. 

Contact us for a free consultation today.