Virginia Sexual Abuse in School Lawyer

When you entrust your child to the supervision of a school, you have every right to expect they will be cared for and well supervised. If a child is victimized by another student, teacher, or other individual in a school setting, a Virginia sexual abuse in school lawyer could be instrumental in filing a compelling civil case for compensatory damages. A seasoned sexual abuse attorney could provide you constant guidance and support at each stage of the lawsuit process and fight for the most possible damages that may be owed.

Liability in School Sexual Abuse Cases

There may be a number of entities or persons liable for the claimant’s damages in a sexual abuse case. For instance, if a teacher is alleged to have sexually assaulted or abused the accuser, but the school was negligent in its screening practices when hiring the individual, both the perpetrator and the institution may be considered liable.

As another example, if a fellow teacher, administrator, or other school official fails to properly handle allegations of abuse or engages in negligent supervision, they may be found to bear liability for the incident. A sexual abuse in school attorney in Virginia would carefully evaluate the plaintiff’s case and the circumstances of the abuse incident to identify all persons or entities who may have caused or contributed to the claimant’s damages.

Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

A Virginia sexual abuse in school attorney would advocate fearlessly on behalf of a survivor of assault or abuse to ensure that all available damages are claimed. In addition to the considerable emotional and physical trauma that may be endured by the abused individual, the claimant may also suffer numerous financial losses such as medical expenses or time missed from work due to the trauma they experienced.

The court may award compensation for claimant’s economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages may also be available in sexual abuse cases.

Economic damages refer to measurable losses such as hospital bills, prescription costs, and lost income, while non-economic damages are non-quantifiable damages, including pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Finally, punitive damages are a separate classification of damages designed to punish an at-fault party for, particularly shameful or shocking behavior.

Filing Deadline to Bring a Claim Alleging Sexual Abuse

As is the case with other types of civil cases, there are established deadlines fixed by state law in which claims alleging sexual abuse or assault must be filed. Under Code of Virginia § 8.01-243, a minor child who is the claimant of sexual abuse has 20 years from the day they turn 18 to file a civil claim. When the claimant does not immediately identify the abuse, but they later remember or discover the assault, they would have 20 years from the date that the abuse occurred to start a lawsuit.

A civil case may be filed at the same time the state files criminal charges or at a different date. While civil and criminal cases are independent of each other, a criminal ruling against the alleged offender could be valuable in proving a civil claim. It is essential to retain a skilled Virginia attorney who is familiar with the laws governing sexual abuse in school claims who could fight for a fair settlement or court award.

Reach Out to a Virginia Sexual Abuse in School Attorney

If you have suffered at the hands of a sexual abuser, you do not have to remain silent. A Virginia sexual abuse in school lawyer could seek the justice you need and deserve against all parties who could be culpable for your injuries.

An attorney could draw upon extensive resources to build a forceful claim for damages on your behalf. Schedule your confidential case review today.