We're more than just a law firm. We're a community - a family that stands together against sexual assault. We understand the enormous impact these crimes can have not just on the victims, but also on their families. Our team is fiercely united in the fight against sexual assault and is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for those who’ve been affected.
According to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison.
If you’re uncertain whether you have a sexual assault class action claim, it’s important to speak with an attorney that is well versed in this area of practice. Call us now at (305) 709-8877 to speak with one of our qualified sexual assault class action lawyers. The initial consultation is free and anything you say is kept in the strictest confidence, even if you decide not to pursue your claim.
What Is a Sexual Assault Class Action Lawsuit?
Oftentimes if a sexual assault is perpetrated by someone in a position of power there can be many victims. Large companies, organizations, and institutions must have sufficient oversight to ensure that innocent people do not fall prey to bad actors. Whether it is a university, place of worship, hospital system, charity, government entity, or large corporation they all have a responsibility to not turn a blind eye to sexual misconduct. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, in addition to filing criminal charges, you also have the right to pursue a civil claim. That can be done on an individual or class-wide basis.
It is absolutely crucial to speak up if you have been a victim of sexual assault. All it takes is one person to break down the cycle of abuse. While we know it is certainly not easy to speak up, especially if you were hurt by someone in a position of power. If you take a stand, we can help ensure that your abuse never has the opportunity to hurt anyone again.
If you suspect that you may not be the only one that has suffered abuse, but other victims are afraid to come forward, then pursuing a sexual assault class action lawsuit may be a good option for you. It will allow other victims to join in the suit, while also having the potential to enact futures changes in policy that would have prevented the abuse from happening in the first place.
Who is Liable in a Sexual Assault Case?
In a sexual assault case, the following people can be held liable for your attack:
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Perpetrator of the assault
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Perpetrator's employer, depending on the circumstances surrounding the assault
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Churches, temples, and other religious institutions
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Schools, colleges, and universities
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Property owners
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Doctor's office, hospital, or clinic
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Charity, NGO, state government, or federal government
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A corporation can also sometimes be held liable for acts committed by executives, directors, or other officers of the company
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How can a Class Action Lawsuit Help Me?
Class actions streamline the legal process, making the lawsuit more efficient than if individual plaintiffs went to trial. The cost of the lawsuit is spread out among the plaintiffs. There are no attorney fees paid upfront, and if the case is successful, the attorney is paid out of the recoveries. In some cases, the defendant is required to pay the attorneys’ fees for the plaintiffs.
In each class action, the members of the class are represented by class representatives, one or more people who serve as the public face of the class action. The class representative plays an active role in the case and acts as the voice for the entire group. This allows the other class members to play a more passive role in the case and wait for the outcome of the proceedings.
If you have concerns about being a class representative, our top-rated class action lawyers will help you evaluate all the potential repercussions. As always the final decision will rest with you, the client on how to pursue your civil case. What is most important is bringing your abuser justice and raising awareness, so that action can be taken in the future to prevent these types of incidents from happening.
Ultimately, a class action involves one lawsuit, one court, and a single decision. This makes getting justice much more attainable and far less stressful for people who may not want to be the face of a lawsuit.
What if someone from a college, universitY, ASSOCIATION, OR RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION assaulted me?
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If you endured sexual abuse or sexual harassment on a college campus, you have several options for taking action to ensure your attacker is brought to justice. First, you can report the incident to campus officials. Your university’s policy on campus sexual violence will determine how they handle the incident. You might be required to present your case to the school board through a procedure referred to as campus adjudication. If you have any further questions about this process, do not hesitate to speak with one of our sexual assault lawyers today.
Colleges that receive federal funding must ensure that all students receive equal educational opportunities. This includes students of all gender identities and sexual orientations. The U.S Department of Education requires colleges to provide this guarantee. This provision is part of your civil rights under Title IX. This also means responding to reports of sexual misconduct and giving victims access to support services. If your university fails to do so, they may face liability for violating Title IX.
Reporting the assault to your school is not a substitute for filing a report with the law enforcement officers. Reporting the incident to the police is difficult, especially considering what you have gone through. Particularly if the abuser is someone in a position of power, such as a teacher, dean, counselor, pastor, rabbi, or other spiritual leader. However, it is a crucial step in stopping the cycle of violence. If you do not report the abuse, then this person is likely to hurt other victims in the future.
How Common is Sexual Assault on College Campuses?
The Association of American Universities conducted a survey on sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses. As part of the survey, more than 181,000 students were asked to participate from over 33 different colleges and universities across the country. Data showed that 13% of students experienced non-consensual sexual acts, either due to force or an inability to consent. Female, transgender, and non-binary students had even higher rates.
Researchers found that reports of sexual assault indicate that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault when in college. About 66% of students face sexual harassment on campus, but only around 10% report it to the university or staff.
Only 20% of female students report their unwanted sexual encounters to the police. One thing is clear from the data, sexual assault on college campuses happens far more frequently than reported.
Examples of Sexual Assault Class Action Cases
Michigan State University- Larry Nassar's victims are set to receive a compensation of $500 million from Michigan State University - the institution where Nassar served as a sports physician from 1997 to 2016.
It was found that Michigan State either knew or should have known about Nassar's predatory conduct and tolerated his abuse over decades. Mr. Nassar received a prison sentence exceeding 100 years for the abuse of more than 300 young female gymnasts, with over 30 of these cases occurring at Michigan State University. Read more about the Michigan State University settlement here!
New York Knicks - Ms. Browne Sanders, a former employee of the NBA team, the New York Knicks, received a sum of $11.5 million. The payment was made in response to her dismissal from the team after she reported instances of sexual harassment. The misconduct was attributed to Isiah Thomas, who served as the team's President of Basketball Operations at the time. Read more about the Knicks settlement here!
University of California – Seven patients of Dr. James Heaps accused him of sexual assault between 1983 and 2018 when he worked at the UCLA Student Health Center and UCLA Medical Center. The accusations include inappropriate sexual comments, inappropriate touching during the course of the examinations and using a medical device to simulate intercourse during the examination process. Read more about the $73 million settlement here!
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS
Horace Mann– A lawsuit was filed by former students of the esteemed Horace Mann school in Riverdale, New York, alleging sexual assault. Sadly, a victim of the assault tragically committed suicide in 2009 as a result of the enduring trauma from the incident. Since then, more than 60 additional students have come forward. Read more about the Horace Mann School Sexual Assault case here!
Harvey Weinstein- Hollywood film executive and producer, came under scrutiny after he was accused by numerous actresses - over 87 - of inappropriate behavior. This led to several lawsuits directed at both Mr. Weinstein and his firm, The Weinstein Company. Weinstein was convicted of sexual assault and rape and handed a sentence exceeding 23 years. Given his current age, this is effectively a life term. Read more about the Harvey Weinstein victim award.
Jeffrey Epstein– Mr. Epstein was a financial advisor to corporations and billionaires all over the world. His advice is said to have helped individuals and corporations save millions, if not billions in taxes. When Mr. Epstein died by suicide, he had a net worth of over $500 million and owned properties in New York City, Paris, Palm Beach, FL, and two islands near St. Thomas.
He is accused of sexual assault and abuse of dozens of young women. Since his death, the money from his estate has been placed in a special fund for the victims of his sexual assault. Read more about Jeffrey Epstein here!
Why File a SEXUAL ASSAULT Lawsuit?
At The G Law Group, our clients' well-being is our top priority. Specializing in representing victims of sexual assault, our law firm provides comprehensive support for those affected and their family members as they navigate all aspects of their case.
We understand the significant long-term consequences faced by assault victims, such as pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, suffering, nightmares, flashbacks, and so much more. Our sexual assault lawyers know that no amount of money will ever undue what happened, but it can go a long way in helping get the care and treatment that you need to get better. It will also help ensure that proper safeguards are put in place, so that there will be no more victims in the future.
We put our clients first, and that means more than just being attentive and providing personalized legal services. Our attorneys are deeply committed to making sure that our clients obtain all the social, public, psychological, medical, and legal assistance they need to make a healthy recovery.
Whether representing a larger group in a class action lawsuit or an individual victim, our firm is committed to amplifying the collective voice of victims, ensuring their stories are heard, and achieving justice for all those affected. Trust the top-rated sexual assault lawyers at The G Law Group to guide you through the complex legal process every step of the way.
If you've been a victim of sexual assault and need legal support, call (305) 709-8877 or fill out the form below for a 100% confidential, free case evaluation with one of our experienced attorneys. We are committed to fighting for you and ending the cycle of abuse!