sexual assault

April 19, 2024

You May Be Able to File a Civil Lawsuit After a Sexual Assault

Serious injuries often result from accidents or unintentional harm in Valley Center and throughout Southern California, but they can also be caused by intentional acts. While many people assume personal injury lawsuits are only possible after motor vehicle crashes, slips and falls, and related types of injuries caused by another party’s negligence, it is essential to know that civil lawsuits can also allow someone who has been injured by an intentional act of violence to seek compensation. In some cases, the liable party (or parties) will include the perpetrator of the act of violence, but it is also possible that other individuals or entities can be held liable for negligence related to the assault.

In particular, victims of sexual assault in California can be eligible to seek financial compensation through a civil lawsuit, and a relatively new law in the state gives them significantly more time to do so.

Criminal Versus Civil Cases After a Sexual Assault

January 19, 2024

Where Do Sexual Assaults Happen and Who is Liable?

by Walton Law Firm

When a sexual assault occurs in Vista or elsewhere in Southern California, it can be incredibly difficult to think about the legal ramifications of the attack and who may be civilly liable. In fact, if you or someone you love experienced a devastating sexual assault, you might not even realize that it is possible to file a civil lawsuit and to hold one or more parties civilly liable for your injuries. Perpetrators of sexual assaults can be held criminally liable through the criminal justice system; there are many sexual assault cases where it is also possible to file a civil lawsuit. Frequently, these types of claims are made against a third party whose negligence was a causal factor in the assault. While you may also be able to sue the perpetrator in a civil lawsuit, third parties who are also liable due to negligence may have deeper pockets and may be responsible for paying damages that can help you get the care you need and get back on your feet.

Where do most of these kinds of assaults occur, and what types of third parties may be liable? Our Vista sexual assault lawyers can explain, and we can give you more information about seeking compensation by filing a civil lawsuit in the aftermath of sexual violence in California.

Locations of Sexual Assaults

August 4, 2023

When is a Third Party Liable for a Sexual Assault?

by Walton Law Firm

Who is at fault when a sexual assault occurs in Oceanside or elsewhere in Southern California? Obviously, it may be possible to file a claim against the perpetrator of the assault in addition to any criminal charges that occur, but in some cases, third parties can also be liable. Indeed, sexual assaults occur with an alarming frequency in the state, and it is important to understand that it may be possible to hold a third party civilly liable for harm. According to a UC San Diego Health report, “reported incidences of sexual harassment are 5% higher for women and 10% higher for men than the national average.” Indeed, the report found that “more than 86% of women in California (compared with 81% nationally) and 53% of men (compared with 43% nationally) report having experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime.

When can you potentially hold a third party liable for sexual assault in Oceanside or another part of Southern California? It will depend on the circumstances, but our San Diego County injury lawyers can provide more information.

Hotel/Motel, Night Club, and Retail Store Owner Liability for Sexual Assault