Child Sexual Abuse

Anchorage Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is prevalent in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that one in four girls and one in 13 boys will be victims of sexual abuse during their childhood. These victims face a lifetime of trauma and may incur costs for medical treatment, therapy, and other pain and suffering. Anchorage child sexual abuse attorney Sean Brown is dedicated to making sure those who are responsible for causing this trauma are held legally and financially liable. The Alaska Accident and Injury Law Center of the Brown Law Firm, LLC offers compassionate and zealous legal advocacy for victims of child sexual abuse. If you or a loved one has suffered a sexual assault as a child, you may be entitled to compensation from the perpetrator or other accountable parties. Please call our office today at 907-222-9900 to learn more about your legal options.

Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Being sexually abused or assaulted as a child leaves lasting damage on victims. Criminal action may not always be available, or enough, to feel as if justice has been served. Criminal cases also do not allow for financial compensation victims need to cover the costs of ongoing care related to their abuse. Filing a civil action to hold those responsible for your harm not only makes sure those responsible bear the financial burden of the harm they caused, but can be therapeutic for victims as well. However, the decision to pursue a civil case is a personal one, as some victims may find it too traumatizing to relive their past pain. Contacting a knowledgeable and compassionate Anchorage child sex abuse lawyer who can assist you in determining what is right for you is an important step in the process. 

Typically, the victim of a child sexual assault is the plaintiff in the lawsuit against the perpetrator, either when they are still a minor or after reaching the age of majority. Sometimes, though, a legal guardian may file the suit on behalf of a minor. This allows an adult to represent the minor’s interest throughout legal proceedings. In Alaska, a person may bring an action at any time before the age of majority for felony sexual abuse of a minor. Once a victim reaches the age of majority, the claim must be made within three years. This statute of limitation can be tolled in cases with “delayed discovery” – starting the three-year timing to when “the plaintiff discovered or through use of reasonable diligence should have discovered that the act caused the injury or condition” that is the basis for a personal injury claim. If you have questions regarding the statute of limitations on your potential claim, a child sexual abuse lawyer in Anchorage can help you determine your legal rights and options.

In addition to filing a claim against the perpetrator, who is obviously the one most responsible for harming a victim of sexual abuse, there may also be others liable in a civil claim. Certain professionals have a duty to report if they suspect a child is being abused. Failure to do so can make them partially at fault in a child sexual abuse claim. Mandatory reporters include medical care providers, teachers as well as school administrators, and daycare providers. Business can also be held accountable for sexual abuses that occur on their property. If a property owner or business fails to keep children reasonably safe, such as a school who employs the perpetrator, they can be legally liable for the harm caused.  Damages that might be awarded to a victim of child sexual abuse are medical expenses related to the aftermath of the abuse, as well as any that are incurred for ongoing medical treatment. Mental health costs are included in this compensation, and often extensive in these cases. Damages for pain and suffering may also be recovered in these cases.

Experienced Child Sexual Abuse Attorney in Anchorage

Anchorage child sexual abuse attorney Sean Brown of The Brown Law Firm, LLC is committed to making sure victims have a voice, fighting on behalf of each client to protect their rights. The Alaska Accident and Injury Law Center represents residents throughout Western Alaska, including Anchorage, Aniak, Bethel, Hooper Bay, and Saint Mary’s. Although no legal action can make a victim of child sexual abuse whole again, it can provide a sense of justice and financial support for ongoing costs associated with trauma. If you have questions about your legal options, please call our office at 907-222-9900 today to find out more.