Atlanta Sexual Assault Lawyer
Victims of sexual assault and rape in Atlanta, GA, have the right to hold the perpetrators and other responsible parties financially accountable for their injuries. Were you a victim? An experienced Atlanta sexual assault lawyer at Hasner Law, PC can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers have more than 80 years of combined experience representing victims of assault. We’ve recovered millions for our clients and know what it takes to secure a meaningful financial award to help you find a sense of justice.
When you’re ready to get started, call our law offices in Atlanta, Georgia, at 678-888-4878 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney who can help.
How Hasner Law, PC Can Help With a Sexual Assault Claim in Atlanta
Sexual assault is an unimaginably traumatizing experience. As the victim, you’ve experienced something unthinkable. Financial problems can further magnify your trauma. You might have medical bills to pay–and you could be unable to work while you recover mentally and physically.
You don’t have to let police and prosecutors in Atlanta, GA, control the entire process. Victims of violent acts have a right to pursue a civil claim against their attacker. An Atlanta personal injury lawyer at Hasner Law, PC can help you get the financial security you need and deserve.
Our attorneys will:
- Identify all responsible parties
- Work with experts and professionals to assess the fair value of your injuries
- Handle all paperwork and insurance negotiations
- Fight to recover the maximum compensation available so you can get justice
Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys focus on you and your rights. It’s important to punish the attacker. It’s also important to make sure you have the resources you need to move on with your life.
If you’re interested in learning more about how our compassionate team can help you get justice, call our law firm today for a free case review.
How Common is Sexual Assault in Atlanta?
Over 80% of women in the United States are victims of some form of sexual assault or harassment during their lifetimes. Furthermore, 43% of men report being victimized.
Sexual assault is a serious problem, both in the state of Georgia and nationwide. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps track of reported crimes statewide. In 2018, 2,938 rapes were reported in Georgia alone. Over 1,800 of those rapes occurred in the Atlanta metro area.
What is My Atlanta Sexual Assault Case Worth?
You might be wondering whether it’s possible to put a price tag on the pain you’ve suffered after a rape or sexual assault. In the personal injury context, you’ll have to demand the compensation you deserve. Defendants and insurance companies won’t hand over a check for a fair amount just because you’ve suffered a trauma.
There are a number of factors that come into play when putting a value on your civil claim.
Some of those include:
- The cost of your medical care
- The nature, severity, and permanence of your physical injuries
- The emotional harm you’ve suffered
- How the ordeal impacted your personal life and relationships
- Whether your career prospects were impacted or diminished
With our attorneys by your side, you won’t have to worry. We’ll bring in respected experts and specialists to testify on your behalf. We’ll do everything possible to get the maximum compensation you deserve to move on with your life.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Sexual Assault?
You deserve justice–regardless of whether your attacker has been charged with a crime. At Hasner Law, PC, we’ll fight to recover the maximum available compensation in your case.
That includes economic damages for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages while you recover
- Ongoing medical care
- Diminished earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Psychological counseling
You also deserve compensation for the subjective losses you’ve suffered.
These non-economic damages compensate you for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of consortium and damage to personal relationships
Money can’t erase the trauma you’ve suffered. But it can help you get the medical and emotional care you deserve.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rarely available in Georgia personal injury cases. However, they are available to punish extremely harmful behavior. Sexual assault claims are one area where a judge may be inclined to award punitive damages.
Punitive damages aren’t meant to compensate you for any specific loss. Instead, they’re designed to punish the victim and deter future bad behavior. Rest assured, if punitive damages are possible in your case, we will pursue them.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Sexual Assault Injuries
Victims of sexual assault often suffer a range of injuries–both physical and emotional. At Hasner Law, PC, we’re here to fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Some common physical injuries sustained by victims of sexual assault include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Back injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Unwanted pregnancies
We’ll also fight to recover compensation for PTSD, anxiety, and depression–all common mental injuries caused by sex crimes.
How Do I Establish Liability for Sexual Assault in Georgia?
The perpetrator of a crime has primary responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Victims are entitled to file a civil lawsuit to hold that person accountable–regardless of whether criminal charges are pending.
As a practical matter, it can be difficult to recover fair compensation from your assailant. They may not have enough assets to pay a personal judgment. Plus, the acts or omissions of multiple other parties could have made it possible for that person to assault you.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Business owners
- Bar and restaurant owners
- Gas stations
- Nightclub owners
- An employer, if the person who assaulted you was working at the time
- Employers of negligent employees
Our lawyers can fight to hold these and other parties accountable by proving negligence.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Sexual Assault in Georgia?
A person can be held liable for negligence if they failed to act as a reasonable person would have under the circumstances.
In legal terms, you’ll have to prove four key elements:
- A legal duty of care
- A breach of the duty of care
- The breach directly caused the harm you suffered
- Damages
The legal duty of care varies depending upon the defendant’s identity. For example, under Georgia premises liability laws, property owners are required to provide adequate security to keep visitors and guests safe. If you were sexually assaulted in a restaurant parking lot with a history of criminal activity, it would be reasonable to assume that the owner should provide security to keep you safe.
That security might include:
- Video surveillance cameras
- Adequate lighting
- Fences and gates
- Physical security guards
Failure to install adequate security is often enough to establish a breach of the duty of care.
Employers can also be held responsible for the acts of their employees. This legal theory is called “vicarious liability.” Assume a nursing home caregiver sexually assaulted your loved one. The nursing home could be held responsible for negligent hiring practices.
Holding the Attacker Responsible for Damages
There are two primary legal systems in Georgia. They operate side-by-side. Once your attacker is identified, law enforcement will charge them with a crime. In crime cases, prosecutors must prove that the defendant committed the sexual assault based on a “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard.
As the victim, you also have the right to sue the attacker for damages in civil court. The burden of proof in civil cases is much lower. The standard is a “preponderance of the evidence.” In other words, you’ll have to show that it’s “more likely than not” that the attacker assaulted you.
Bottom line? You have the right to hold the attacker responsible even if prosecutors are unable to convict in criminal court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit Based on Sexual Assault in Georgia?
Injured parties have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under the Georgia statute of limitations. The timeline starts on the day you were assaulted. Once the two-year anniversary of the assault passes, you’ll lose your right to file suit in civil court.
There are exceptions that could apply in your case. However, it’s always best to take legal action sooner rather than later. Our lawyers are ready to start fighting for you. If you were hurt, call to speak with an Atlanta sexual assault attorney today.
Contact an Atlanta Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you a victim of sexual assault in Atlanta? You have legal rights and options. Call an experienced Atlanta sexual assault lawyer at Hasner Law, PC to get help fighting for justice today. Your consultation is always 100% free of charge, so don’t hesitate to take action.
