Have you been a victim of sexual abuse in Buffalo, New York? Our team at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you. An experienced Buffalo sexual abuse lawyer can help you seek financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, pain, trauma and more. Call us at (716) 222-2222.
Our attorneys at O’Brien & Ford have over 84 years of experience in personal injury law. We know that you’re suffering–and we know how to help. To date, we’ve already helped injured clients recover tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Even a successful criminal prosecution can’t get you the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers can help you pursue full compensation. Contact our law offices in Buffalo, New York, to schedule your free consultation today.
Why Trust O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help With Your Sexual Abuse Case?
Sexual abuse can impact every aspect of your life. You’ve gone through enough. Our Buffalo personal injury attorneys have the skills and resources to help you fight back.
Clients like you have trusted our team at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to fight for them since we opened our doors more than two decades ago. We’ve also been recognized as among the top 50 Super Lawyers in upstate New York.
When you hire us, you gain an advocate to:
- Investigate and determine who can be held legally responsible
- Identify all sources of compensation
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Hire experts to testify on your behalf
- Assess the value of your losses
- Negotiate for a full and fair settlement
Our experienced Buffalo personal injury lawyers are always prepared to fight for you at trial if the settlement offer isn’t fair. Contact us today to learn more.
Sexual Abuse Laws in New York: An Overview
New York criminal courts take any type of sexual assault extremely seriously. Conviction for sexual abuse can result in lengthy prison sentences. Even once released, defendants can be subject to a lifetime of sex offender registration requirements.
Securing justice in criminal court can give you a powerful sense of relief. That said, it doesn’t personally compensate you for the losses you have experienced.
Sexual abuse is a serious crime. It’s also an intentional tort. Under New York personal injury laws, you have the right to seek financial compensation for the intentional harm that the defendant caused. That’s true regardless of whether the abusive party was ever convicted of a crime.
Aside from the intentional tort claim against the abusive party, additional legal theories may be relevant in your case.
Vicarious Liability Laws in New York
Under state vicarious liability theories, employers can be held financially responsible for the acts of their employees.
Sexual abuse is often about power. Victims often only become victims because the abusive party occupies a position of power. If the abusive party obtained that position of power via their employment, their employer may be liable for allowing the abuse to occur. That’s true regardless of whether the employer actually knew the abuse was occurring.
Some examples of employers who have been held financially responsible for sexual abuse include:
- The Boy Scouts of America
- Colleges and universities
- The Roman Catholic Church and other religious organizations
- USA Gymnastics
- Schools
- Daycare centers
- Hospitals and medical facilities
- Nursing homes
- Massage parlors
As a victim of sexual abuse, you may not even realize that you have rights under state personal injury laws. Our attorneys in Buffalo can help you evaluate all of your legal options. We offer a free case review, so don’t hesitate to reach out to learn about how we can help today.
Premises Liability Laws in New York
While it may seem strange, it’s possible that someone completely unrelated to the abusive party could be liable for your damages. New York premises liability laws impose certain duties on property owners. Property owners must take reasonable steps to keep invited visitors, customers and guests safe.
Typically, premises liability laws require owners to maintain their premises in safe condition. These laws also require property owners to take reasonable security precautions. If you were a victim of sexual abuse while visiting someone else’s property, that property owner may be financially responsible.
Property owners are only liable, however, when the following are true:
- Criminal activity was reasonably foreseeable
- They failed to implement reasonable security measures
Examples of “reasonable security” can include locked fences, adequate lighting and even video surveillance cameras.
We Handle All Types of Sexual Abuse Cases in Buffalo
Rape is one of the most serious crimes in New York state. If you were a victim of rape, our lawyers in Buffalo will do everything possible to help you seek just compensation.
We also handle sexual abuse claims involving:
- Use of an authority position to coerce someone into performing sexual acts
- Exposing genitals to a victim
- Unwanted sexual contact or touching
- Forcing someone to watch sexual acts or pornography
- Producing or viewing child pornography
- Masturbating in front of a victim
- Child abuse
If you’re struggling in the wake of sexual abuse, call O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers today. Our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys will do everything possible to help.
What is My Buffalo Sexual Abuse Case Worth?
The value of any claim depends heavily upon the losses the victim has suffered. As we assess your case value, our attorneys will consider many different factors, including:
- The nature of any physical injuries you have suffered
- How the trauma you have experienced has changed your life
- Whether you have lost income, educational opportunities or career opportunities due to the abuse
- Your financial costs, including medical costs, therapy expenses, etc.
- The identity of the defendant and the nature of their acts or omissions
- The duration of the abuse
No two claims are exactly the same. Ou lawyers will work closely with you so that we can understand how the sexual abuse has impacted your life.
We know that reaching out for legal assistance isn’t easy. We’re here to help every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about your legal right to pursue compensation.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Sexual Abuse in Buffalo?
Like any personal injury victim, you can seek compensation for economic damages or non-economic damages. The damages you recover will depend on the types of losses you have experienced.
Our lawyers will help you identify and prove the damages you have suffered, which may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost career opportunities
- Lost educational opportunities
- Counseling and therapy
- Reduced earning capacity
- Specialized therapies
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Shame
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of fertility
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are also possible in sexual abuse cases. Punitive damages are available in situations where the defendant’s acts were intentional, malicious or shockingly reckless.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in New York?
Our attorneys at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t charge upfront fees or hourly rates. Our attorneys’ fees are based entirely on the amount of money we recover in your case. When your case is resolved, we take a set percentage of the final settlement or verdict.
Our Buffalo Sexual Abuse Attorneys Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Losses
Sexual abuse can be violent. Some victims struggle with severe physical injuries in addition to the emotional trauma of the experience.
At O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent injury victims in all types of cases, including those involving:
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Severe bruising
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Unwanted pregnancies
If you or a family member are struggling in the wake of sexual abuse, reach out to our Buffalo sexual abuse attorneys today. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand your options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit If I Was a Victim of Sexual Abuse in New York?
The New York statute of limitations in most personal injury cases is three years. Sexual abuse cases tend to be treated differently. It’s not always easy to step forward and pursue justice. So, you could have much more than three years to take legal action.
In the end, it’s always best to speak to an experienced attorney sooner rather than later. We’re here to help you understand the deadlines that will apply in your case, so give us a call today.
Contact a Trusted Buffalo Sexual Abuse Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
If you were a victim, our team at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you fight for compensation. Call today for a free consultation with an experienced Buffalo sexual abuse lawyer.