Have you been the victim of a sexual assault? Don’t let your abuser – or other responsible parties – off the hook. Contact the Kansas City sexual assault lawyers at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers to help fight for the compensation you deserve.
Collectively, our attorneys have more than three decades of experience. We stand up and fight for injury victims every day and have won more than $70 million in cases involving motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents in Kansas City, wrongful death claims, brain injuries, and more.
We’re ready to advocate to make things right for you, too. To get started, simply contact our law office online or give our team a call at(816) 408-3448. Your first case evaluation is free, so reach out for help today.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted in Kansas City
The person who sexually assaulted you may face criminal charges. But that won’t do much to compensate you for the injuries or suffering you’ve experienced as a direct result of the abuse. Filing a personal injury lawsuit and demanding damages for your medical bills, loss of income, and anguish can accomplish that.
You shouldn’t have to take on your attacker or challenge lawsuits on your own. That’s where we can help you.
When you trust our personal injury lawyer in Kansas City to represent you, we’ll:
- Help you understand all of your legal options
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault
- Gather evidence to help us demonstrate that you were sexually assaulted and sustained damages as a result
- Work closely with leading injury experts, including medical professionals, and psychologists
- Determine who, other than the person who committed the sexual assault, might be liable for your injuries
- Negotiate to secure a fair settlement offer on your behalf
- Have a respected trial attorney argue your case before a jury, if necessary
Focus on getting better. Focus on moving forward. Let our law firm handle your case and fight for the money you deserve.
How Common is Sexual Assault in Kansas City?
According to data from the FBI, there were a total of 382 rapes reported in Kansas City, Missouri in 2020. Statistically speaking, the chances of being the victim of a violent crime like sexual assault in Kansas City is 1 in 64.
Unfortunately, sexual assaults and rapes are all too common – in Kansas City and across the United States. Studies have found that there’s a sexual assault occurring somewhere in the United States every 68 seconds. Given that most sexual abuse goes unreported, someone is probably victimized far more often than that.
What is My Sexual Assault Case Worth?
There’s significant evidence to show that rape victims (and others subjected to sexual abuse) have significant costs after an attack.
One study found that the average lifetime cost of rape exceeds $122,000. That amount factors in things like medical bills, a loss of income, and pain and suffering.
However, every case is different. The value of your specific case will depend on many of the following factors:
- What types of injuries did you suffer?
- What are your present and future out-of-pocket costs?
- Will your injuries or the trauma of the attack affect your ability to work?
- Who is liable for your sexual assault?
The attacker’s conduct and state of mind can also influence your case’s value. If there’s clear evidence that they harmed you “without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others,” then punitive damages may be available. As a result, the value of your personal injury lawsuit would increase.
What Damages Are Available in Sexual Assault Cases?
As the victim of a sex crime may have the right to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Therapy
- Loss of income and wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Depression and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our law firm will fight to secure the compensation that accurately represents the extent of your trauma and suffering. Contact our law office to learn more about our legal representation.
Can Anyone Other Than The Attacker Be Liable For Sexual Assault?
Yes, under Missouri state law, anyone who contributes to an assault can be held financially accountable for the repercussions.
You might have a legitimate negligent security or premises liability claim if you were sexually assaulted on someone else’s property.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- Property owners
- Landlords and management
- Nightclubs
- Bars
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Schools
- Daycare centers
- Colleges
- Hotels
- Government agencies
You could also have a claim against the attacker’s employer if the assault happened while they were working.
Our sexual abuse lawyers will work tirelessly to investigate your case and determine who could potentially be liable for your suffering. The more people we can hold accountable, the better the odds of securing maximum financial compensation on your behalf.
Sexual Assault Can Cause Devastating, Catastrophic Injuries
Don’t underestimate the potential physical consequences of a sexual assault. Particularly violent attacks can leave victims struggling with serious injuries and debilitating pain for the rest of their lives.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent victims of sexual abuse who’ve suffered injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Trauma to the face
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue damage
- Genital injuries
- Unwanted pregnancy and more
In the most tragic situations, sexual assault can result in death. If someone has died due to a sexual assault in Kansas City, MO, our wrongful death attorneys are standing by to help. Money won’t bring your loved one back, but it can help secure financial justice (and maybe some closure) for your family.
Can I File a Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit If My Attacker is Charged With a Crime?
Yes. Sexual assault is both a crime and a tort. This means that a person accused of sexually assaulting another person can face criminal charges and be sued for the harm they caused.
Can pending criminal charges or a completed criminal case affect your civil sexual assault injury case? It could. Here’s why.
The Burden of Proof For Sexual Assault in Civil Cases
The burden of proof is different for civil and criminal cases. It’s much lower in civil cases (by a preponderance of the evidence) than in criminal cases (beyond a reasonable doubt).
The person who assaulted you may not be convicted if the state doesn’t have enough evidence to support the charges. However, in a civil case, you simply have to prove that your story is more likely true than not. So, you could win your civil case even if your attacker isn’t found guilty of the same events in a criminal proceeding.
Your Case May Be Delayed If the Criminal Charges Are Pending
The defendant in a criminal case can ask for any related civil matters tolled – or paused. This way, they can focus their energy on defending against criminal sexual assault charges. The related injury lawsuit will be put on hold until the criminal case is resolved.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit in Missouri?
Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Missouri is five years. This means that the clock on your lawsuit will begin to run on the date you were sexually assaulted. Once five years go by, you will forfeit the right to file a lawsuit and hold your attacker financially accountable for what they’ve done.
If the victim of sexual abuse is a minor under age 18, a different timeline applies. An action must be brought within ten years of the victim’s 21st birthday or within three years of the date the victim discovered that the injury was caused by sexual abuse – whichever is later.
If a sexual assault is fatal, family members will have just three years from the date of their loved one’s death to take action.
It’s important to act quickly and ask for help as soon as possible after an assault – and not just because you have a limited time to file a claim. Evidence of your assault can disappear. It can become damaged or lost. If there were witnesses, their memories could fade and become less trustworthy over time.
Calling a trusted personal injury attorney in Kansas City can help ensure that your rights are protected and set you up to win your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trusted Kansas City Sexual Assault Lawyer
You may be entitled to a significant financial recovery if you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted in Kansas City, Missouri. Sexual assaults are all too common here, and those who inflict this type of trauma must be held accountable. At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, it’s our goal to help victims of sexual assault stand up and fight for the compensation that’s more than deserved.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no cost to hire us unless we win your case. No win, no fee. That’s our guarantee to you.
Your initial consultation is also free. Do not hesitate to contact our skilled and respected Kansas City sexual assault lawyers to learn about your rights. Our team is standing by to take your call whenever you need us the most.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Kansas City, MO
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Kansas City Office
1509 NE Parvin Rd Ste A,
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 408-3448
Open 24/7
Areas We Serve In Kansas City, MO
Terrace Lake Gardens, Downtown KC, River Market, Crown Center, Midtown – Westport, Power and Light District, Country Club Plaza, West Bottoms, Crossroads, Winnwood Gardens, South KC, Brookside Park, Winnetonka, Sunset Hill West, Pendleton Heights, Quality Hill, Harbortown Villas, Washington-Wheatley, Northeast KC, Hospital Hill, East Side, Plaza Area, Briarcliff West, Scarritt Renaissance, Manheim Park, Coleman Highlands, Old Westport, South Hyde Park, Central Hyde Park, Country Club District, Knoche’s Park, Eastwood Hills East.
