Sexual Assault Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
Helping Survivors Move Forward
- Guidance through civil lawsuits
- Phone consultations available
- Attorneys reachable nights and weekends
How Law House PC Helps Survivors
Guidance Through Civil Lawsuits
The criminal courts decide whether someone goes to jail. The civil courts decide whether a survivor gets compensated. While the district attorney will handle the criminal prosecution and you may act as a witness in the case, Law House PC can help you secure compensation in a separate civil lawsuit. That holds true even if no charges were filed and no arrest was made.
One Firm, Many Courts
Our full-service international law firm practices in California's criminal and family courts and handles civil claims. That range is imperative in assault cases, where a criminal case, restraining order, and civil claim can run at once.
Privacy From the Start
Many survivors worry about their name becoming public. California courts may allow a survivor to file under a pseudonym, so they don’t come up in public court records. Our attorneys also offer private consultations, whether in-person or by phone.
Compensation for Sexual Assault Survivors
California law allows survivors of sexual assault to recover costs from those responsible. A civil claim can seek damages for:
- Therapy and counseling
- Medical care
- Dental care
- Prescription costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
A consultation with one of our sexual assault attorneys can help determine if you have a case.
A Civil Claim Does Not Require a Criminal Conviction
Criminal charges and civil claims answer different questions in different courtrooms. In criminal proceedings, a prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest standard in American law. A civil claim asks only whether it is more likely than not that the assault happened. That lower standard means a civil case can succeed even when a criminal case was never filed, or when it ended without a conviction.
The choice to file also works differently. The district attorney controls a criminal case. A civil claim stays in the survivor's hands: the survivor decides whether to file and whether to accept a settlement offer.
Who Can Be Held Accountable?
Identifying the people and entities that may be legally responsible helps define the full scope of a civil claim and the potential sources of compensation. Those who can be held accountable include:
Perpetrators of Sexual Assault
The person who committed the assault can be sued directly, whether this person was a stranger, ex-partner, spouse, community member, or anyone else. Under California law, that holds true whether or not the perpetrator was ever arrested, charged, or convicted in criminal court.
Negligent Third Parties
In some cases, California law allows a claim against a third party whose negligence made the assault possible. Depending on the facts, a hotel or apartment complex that ignored broken locks, an employer that kept someone on staff after credible warnings, or a school or organization that failed to protect the people in its care may share responsibility. Our lawyer can review issues like prior notice, security, and supervision.
How Long Survivors Have to File in California
Deadlines shift with the facts, so contact our Los Angeles, CA, sexual assault lawyer to confirm the deadline that applies to you. Early action keeps evidence and witness memories intact.
FAQs Answered by a Sexual Assault Lawyer
Can I file a civil claim if the police never made an arrest?
Yes. A civil claim does not depend on an arrest, criminal charges, or a conviction. The district attorney decides whether to prosecute, but the civil claim is yours. Civil courts also use a lower standard of proof ("more likely than not" instead of “beyond a reasonable doubt”) so a civil case can move forward even when a criminal case cannot.
Will my name become public if I sue?
Not necessarily. California courts can permit survivors to file under a pseudonym so that court records do not display legal names. Judges weigh privacy requests on a case-by-case basis, and our attorney can make the request at the start of your case.
How long does a sexual assault civil case take to resolve?
Timelines vary based on the facts, whether a third party is involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. A consultation with a Law House PC attorney can give you a realistic sense of what to expect in your situation.
Can I still recover compensation if the person who assaulted me has no money?
Yes. Many claims name a negligent third party, like an employer, landlord, or school, alongside the perpetrator, and those defendants are often backed by insurance. A consultation can help identify every possible source of compensation.
