What to Expect in Settlement Amounts for Sex Abuse Lawsuits

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), a sexual assault happens every 68 seconds in America. Every nine minutes, that victim is a minor.

Despite these startling numbers, only around 25 out of every 1,000 offenders will ever wind up in jail. That said, seeking justice through criminal court is only one avenue for victims. Those impacted by sexual abuse also have the opportunity to pursue justice through civil court. They can achieve this by filing a lawsuit for financial compensation against their offender or another negligent party who contributed to the incident.

On average, sexual assault settlement amounts are substantial, especially when the attack has significant consequences like the development of an STD or unintended pregnancy. Are you considering pursuing a sexual assault lawsuit? If so, then we’ll guide you through what to expect with your settlement award below.

Key Factors Influencing Sex Abuse Settlements

Some of the key sexual abuse settlement factors that could influence your case include:

• The strength of your evidence.
• The quality of your legal representation.
• The severity and impact of the abuse and your losses.
• The level of negligence displayed by the responsible party.

Another factor that could impact your settlement is how much time has passed since the attack. All states have their own statute of limitations on sexual assault lawsuits, so you’ll need to make sure that the time limit hasn’t passed when you pursue your case. In most states, the statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits is around one or two years. Certain circumstances, like being a minor when the attack occurred or not reasonably identifying who was responsible for some time, might extend the time limit on your case.

The average settlement for sexual assault lawsuit cases tends to exceed tens of thousands of dollars because the impact of this type of abuse is serious. Sexual abuse causes lifelong, irreversible harm.

Types of Damages in Abuse Lawsuits

Sexual assault settlements should fully compensate the injured party for everything they went through. The settlement should include both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages are losses that are financial in nature and very easy to prove. A few examples of economic damages you might incur after sex abuse include medical bills, lost wages, and a loss of future income. Non-economic damages are more subjective and difficult to prove. After sex abuse, you might be eligible for compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.

In some rare cases, you might also be entitled to pursue punitive damages. This type of award isn’t meant to compensate the victim but instead financially penalize the offender. Punitive damages are most appropriate in situations like institutional abuse claims, cases involving extreme negligence,

Impact of Abuse Severity on Settlements

The impact and severity of the sexual abuse are directly related to the settlement award. In general, the more serious the offense or the more significant the injuries and harm, the greater the payout will be. Some cases, like sex trafficking lawsuits or cases involving pregnancies, will always result in a higher payout due to the aggravating factors surrounding the crime.

According to The Crime Victims Center, 33% of girls and 17% of boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. In general, any type of abuse that occurs to children is considered much more severe, which is why childhood molestation compensation is usually very high. The impact of abuse on a child has the potential to cause lifelong trauma, more severe physical injuries, and more significant emotional distress. That said, you can expect any assault lawsuit payout that involves children to be significant.

The Importance of Evidence

One major challenge you’ll have to face to receive your sex abuse lawsuit payout is producing enough evidence to prove what happened and the extent of your losses. Without solid proof, your case will fall flat. If you’re struggling to determine what types of evidence to secure or how to find the right evidence, then it’s best to consult with an attorney who can help.

Average Settlement Amounts

Sex abuse lawsuit settlements range significantly based on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the attack and the victim’s losses. That said, most of these cases lead to settlement awards in the tens of thousands of dollars range. Some states do have caps on the overall sexual abuse settlement amount you can receive, so your award will be limited to that maximum value.

Real Cases and Settlement Examples

Currently, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering approving a $4 billion settlement for victims impacted by juvenile facility sexual abuse. The lawsuit alleges widespread sexual abuse in these juvenile facilities dating back to 1959 and still occurring up until recent years. If approved, then this case would be the biggest settlement in U.S. history.

In another landmark case, more than 84,000 individuals were awarded $850 million after the Boy Scouts of America organization was accused of grooming and abusing countless children over the years. The victims were all children when the incidents occurred, and most of those victims are now in their 60s and 70s.

Maximizing Your Settlement Value

Pursuing sex abuse legal claims after experiencing an attack is an extremely complex situation, and it takes a significant emotional and mental toll on victims. For that reason, it’s critical that you consider hiring a sexual assault attorney to help not only support you but also ensure you maximize your settlement value. Sexual assault settlement amounts vary on a case-by-case basis, so your legal representation matters.

The right sexual abuse lawyer assistance will ensure justice is served by identifying and documenting all your losses, verifying that all your paperwork is filed correctly and in a timely manner, negotiating with the other party, and representing you in court if the other party isn’t willing to offer a reasonable settlement outside of court.

An experienced attorney will be your best legal advocate, ensuring you don’t minimize your losses by failing to consider them all and always taking care to uphold your rights throughout your legal process. 

Here, at Kermani LLP, our lawyer will do their best to safeguard you from needing to defend yourself more than is necessary to prove your case, as they’ll understand the severity of what you’ve gone through.

Start Your Pursuit of Justice Now by Contacting Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys

If you’re ready to talk to a lawyer, then we can help. Schedule a free and confidential case review with our team of compassionate sex abuse attorneys here at Kermani LLP by leaving your contact details on our online form. You can also call our office directly at (855) 537-6264.