Connecticut Attorneys for Sexual Assault Victims
Our sexual assault injury lawyers help victims obtain justice
Sexual assault isn’t just a crime: it’s a violation that can have lifelong consequences. Survivors of sexual assault and abuse are left to deal with horrific trauma, feeling violated, unsafe, and too often, uncared for by the justice system. Even if the state presses criminal charges against the perpetrator, the victim’s voice too often goes unheard. We work hard to obtain justice for victims of sexual assault.
Talk to an experienced attorney for victims today
We understand talking about what happened during a sexual assault can be extremely difficult. But when you’re ready to do so, we do encourage you to seek legal advice. Talking to an attorney isn’t a commitment to file a lawsuit; it’s an opportunity to tell your story and understand your options. Whether you proceed with legal action is entirely your choice.
If you were sexually assaulted or your child was sexually abused, give us a call or contact us online for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
Sexual assault is a broad term for unwanted acts of a sexual nature, from kissing, to touching and groping of private parts, to rape. Sexual abuse is a term for similar acts that usually describes behavior directed at children rather than adults. Both sexual assault and sexual abuse are crimes in Connecticut, but they are also the basis for civil claims where victims can seek compensation for the traumas they have endured.
A sexual assault lawsuit is a civil claim against the person who assaulted you and possibly an institution that shielded or turned a blind eye to their behavior. This is separate from any criminal charges that the State of Connecticut might bring in connection with the same assault. Because the standard of proof is lower in civil cases, you may be able to win your civil lawsuit even if the defendant is acquitted or the charges are dropped in criminal court.
The advantage of filing a civil lawsuit is that the case you file is yours. In a criminal case, the prosecutor represents the state, and the victim of the crime has very little say in how the state pursues its case. Furthermore, in a criminal case, the focus is on the perpetrator, not the victim. In contrast, if you pursue your claim, you and your attorney are in control: you decide whether to file a lawsuit or settle out of court, whether to go to trial, and so on.
Our first step in any sex assault case is to listen, with no judgment and no pressure. You can tell us what happened in the safe, confidential environment of our office or at another location more convenient for you. After learning what happened, we’ll explain your legal rights and options under Connecticut law. Again, there’s no pressure to hire us or take legal action.
If you do decide to hire Walsh Woodard, we will launch an investigation into what happened and who was responsible. That includes the person who assaulted you, of course, but it may also include others who had authority over that person or allowed them to have access to you.
How the case unfolds from there is always the client’s choice. We understand the sensitivity of sexual assault cases and the importance of privacy and confidentiality for survivors, and we won’t take any legal action without your approval. Many cases can be resolved out of court with a confidential settlement. However, for victims who want their day in court, we are always ready and willing to go to trial and take your case before a judge and jury. Given the sensitive nature of what happened, if you decide to file a lawsuit, we can request to do so under a John Doe or Jane Doe pseudonym so your identity remains protected.
The legal deadlines that apply to sexual assault lawsuits are complex. In general, for adult victims, the ultimate legal deadline is three years from the most recent instance of assault, but you may lose access to insurance coverage which might be available for negligence claims after two years from the assault. Victims who were under age 21 at the time of the abuse have a much longer deadline. In addition, if the person who assaulted or abused you is convicted of certain sexual crimes, the legal time limit is waived.
On the other hand, there are shorter deadlines and notice periods that can apply in some circumstances, and which deadlines apply in your case is always dependent on the specific facts of your case. Furthermore, fully investigating a claim and building a winning case takes time. That’s why it’s always in your interest to talk to an experienced sexual assault injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Walsh Woodard represents victims of sexual abuse and assault on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t owe us anything up front or out of pocket. If we win your case, our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid. We will explain our contingency fee agreement in more detail during a free consultation.
