Sexual abuse and sexual assault can cause physical and emotional injuries that affect a survivor for years. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, difficulty trusting others, and distressing memories may all follow a traumatic experience. Seeking financial compensation may not be an immediate priority, and no monetary recovery can undo what happened. A civil claim, however, may provide resources for treatment and other losses while helping hold responsible parties accountable.
Holder Susan Slusher Law Firm recognizes that coming forward after sexual abuse or assault can be extremely difficult, particularly when the abuse involved someone the survivor trusted. Founder and partner Mike Holder has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured clients. Chris Slusher has tried more than 60 jury trials in state and federal courts, including complex civil rights cases, and founder and partner Bogdan Susan has decades of experience personally guiding clients through difficult legal proceedings. The firm provides direct, compassionate counsel to individuals in Columbia and throughout Missouri.
Civil Claims After Sexual Assault or Abuse
A civil lawsuit is separate from a criminal prosecution. While a criminal case focuses on whether a crime was committed and the appropriate penalties, a civil claim seeks compensation for the harm suffered by the survivor.
Recoverable damages will depend on the circumstances but may involve:
- Medical and counseling expenses
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Future treatment needs
- Other losses resulting from the abuse or assault
Legal action may also provide a means of holding a responsible person accountable. In some circumstances, civil litigation can expose dangerous conduct or institutional failures and contribute to greater accountability.
There Is Support For Child And Adult Survivors
Discovering that a child has been the victim of rape, molestation, or sexual abuse can be devastating for an entire family. Rebuilding a sense of safety and trust can take considerable time, particularly when the abuse involves someone or an organization that a child or family believed they could trust.
Sexual abuse may occur in schools, youth organizations, foster or residential care programs, religious institutions, workplaces, or other settings. When abuse occurs within a trusted institution, the resulting loss of trust can affect both survivors and their families long after the abuse ends.
Adult survivors may also continue to experience the effects of abuse that occurred years earlier. In the aftermath of sexual abuse or assault, attention often turns first to physical safety, medical care, counseling, and emotional recovery. Exploring a civil claim may be one part of that process when a survivor is ready.
Who May Be Responsible In A Sexual Abuse Case?
The individual who committed the assault or abuse may be one potential defendant in a civil case. Depending on the facts and applicable law, questions may also arise about whether an institution, employer, property owner, or other party failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.
These cases can be factually and legally complex. Relevant evidence may include reports, communications, institutional records, witness statements, prior complaints, medical records, and other information concerning what occurred and what responsible parties knew.
Determining who may legally be held responsible requires an individualized review of the circumstances rather than assumptions based solely on where the abuse occurred.
How Long Do Survivors Have To Bring A Claim?
The deadline for bringing a civil sexual abuse or assault claim in Missouri depends on several factors, including the survivor’s age when the abuse occurred, the nature of the claim, when the injury was discovered, and which law applies.
Missouri has specific statutes governing certain claims involving childhood sexual abuse, including provisions addressing physical and psychological injuries. Because these deadlines can vary and Missouri law has changed over time, survivors should not assume that a claim is either timely or too old to pursue without having the circumstances reviewed by an attorney.
Exploring a civil claim may be one step in the legal process, and contacting an attorney can feel significant in itself. Survivors can seek information about their options when they are ready.
Why Choose Holder Susan Slusher Law Firm For A Sexual Assault Claim?
Holder Susan Slusher Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience helping Missouri clients through serious legal matters where careful preparation, discretion, and clear communication are essential.
Mike Holder has extensive experience pursuing compensation for injured clients and personally reviews, negotiates, and litigates the personal injury matters he accepts. Chris Slusher brings substantial courtroom experience from more than 60 jury trials in state and federal courts, including civil rights litigation, while Bogdan Susan has decades of experience personally representing clients through complex and sensitive legal proceedings.
The attorneys emphasize honest counsel, realistic expectations, direct communication, and individualized legal strategies. For survivors considering civil action, the firm can evaluate potential claims and explain available options without minimizing the seriousness or personal nature of what occurred.
Speak With A Sexual Assault Lawyer In Columbia, MO
Taking legal action after sexual assault or abuse is a personal decision, and survivors may choose to explore their options when they feel ready to do so. Holder Susan Slusher Law Firm serves clients in Columbia and throughout Missouri with discretion and respect.
To schedule a consultation and receive a free case evaluation, contact Holder Susan Slusher Law Firm at 573-499-1700.