Were you the victim of sexual abuse or assault in St. Cloud, Minnesota? You can recover damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and financial expenses. Our St. Cloud sexual abuse lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience, and we’ve obtained more than $90 million in compensation for our clients. Call us at (320) 255-1000 today for legal help.
Regardless of any criminal proceedings against your assailant, you may be able to file a lawsuit in civil court to pursue justice and receive financial compensation.
Our law firm is a preeminent personal injury law firm in the State of Minnesota. When you hire us, we can dedicate the full force of our experience and resources to hold the perpetrator of your abuse (or another negligent party) financially accountable for their actions.
We also serve other types of injury cases such as St. Cloud child injuries, wrongful death claims, boating incidents, St. Cloud slip and fall cases, and more. Contact our law office in St. Cloud to learn more about our legal services. You can speak with one of our trusted personal injury attorneys about your case at no charge by scheduling a free consultation today.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help With Your Sexual Abuse Case in St. Cloud
Sexual abuse is one of the most despicable acts imaginable. It’s taken seriously in the criminal justice system, and for good reason. But that isn’t enough. Even if your abuser is found guilty in criminal court, that does nothing to compensate you directly. That’s where a civil claim could be of benefit to you.
The St. Cloud personal injury attorneys with Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help you fight for the full justice you deserve. We’ve been standing up for victims’ rights since 1979, and we take a thoughtful, caring approach to each case we take on. That means staying by your side at every stage of the process and cutting no corners to ensure your best case is put forward. We can help with your sexual abuse case in St. Cloud, MN, by:
- Investigating your case to collect evidence and arrive at your best legal course of action
- Evaluating all of the damages you have experienced
- Hiring experts to strengthen your claim further as needed
- Handling all of the necessary paperwork, communications, and negotiations on your behalf
If you’d like more information about how we can assist with your case, reach out today to set up your free, no-strings-attached consultation.
Sexual Abuse Laws in Minnesota
In Minnesota, sexual abuse is illegal, as are other sex offenses like rape and sexual assault. However, these crimes are not defined separately under state law. Instead, there are five degrees of “criminal sexual conduct” based on the type of unlawful sexual activity as well as the age of the victim. Sexual abusers may be arrested and tried in criminal court in accordance with these statutes.
Sex crimes, including abuse and assault, are also considered intentional torts in Minnesota, giving victims the right to file a lawsuit in civil court. In a civil case, the court can hold your assailant liable and award you money damages.
If a third party had a role in your sexual abuse, you might also be able to file a negligence claim against them. For instance, if you were assaulted at a nightclub that provided inadequate security measures, you might have a negligent security claim against the club itself.
Importantly, you may still be able to file an intentional tort claim even if your abuser is acquitted in criminal court. This is because the burden of proof standard in a criminal case (beyond a reasonable doubt) is significantly more difficult to satisfy than the standard in a civil case (by a preponderance of the evidence).
Contact our trusted St. Cloud sexual abuse attorneys today to learn more about your legal options.
How Common Is Sexual Abuse in St. Cloud and Minnesota as a Whole?
There are a few sources of data that shed light on the prevalence of sexual abuse in Minnesota. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) makes available a Sexual Assault Data Report based on statistics provided by postsecondary institutions. The most recent report is from 2020, and some of the numbers are as follows:
- There were 440 incidents reported to institutions in total
- Out of those 440 incidents, 197 were investigated, and 127 were referred for disciplinary process
- In 84 instances, the accused was found responsible for sexual assault
There are limited figures available for St. Cloud, specifically. Data from the St. Cloud police department indicates that there have been the following numbers of calls for rape in recent years:
- 2020: 56
- 2019: 75
- 2018: 56
- 2017: 61
- 2016: 68
While these data sets may be informative, it’s important to note that as many as 2 out of 3 sexual assaults go unreported. In addition, these data pertain specifically to rapes and sexual assaults, meaning they do not represent other forms of sexual abuse.
How Valuable Is My St. Cloud Sexual Abuse Case?
Sexual abuse cases must be evaluated based on the facts and circumstances involved in the particular situation. Not every abuse case carries the same consequences, nor does each person experience the effects in the same way. Some of the factors that may influence the value of your case include the following:
- The types of injuries you’ve sustained
- Whether another party in addition to your assailant may be held liable
- The severity of your injuries
- The impact the abuse has had (and will continue to have) on your life
- The nature of the sexual abuse
Our St. Cloud sexual abuse attorneys will work hard to properly evaluate your case with the help of experts if needed. From there, we will demand compensation from the at-fault party that accurately reflects all of the losses you’ve experienced.
Call us today to learn more about how much your case might be worth, as we can provide insight during your free consultation.
We Can Help With Any Type of Sexual Abuse Case in St. Cloud, Minnesota
Sexual abuse can take many forms, and it can happen almost anywhere. If this has happened to you, our legal team is here to help you make it through this incredibly difficult time as best we can. We can help with any type of sexual abuse case in St. Cloud, including:
- Sexual assaults
- Workplace sexual abuse
- Sexual battery
- College or school sexual abuse
- Domestic sexual abuse
- Daycare sexual abuse
- Boy Scouts of America sexual abuse
- Nursing home sexual abuse
- Child sexual abuse
We understand that sexual abuse can devastate not only the victim but the rest of their family. At Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we’re passionate about helping accident victims receive justice. If you hire us, we’ll treat your case with the privacy, respect, and attention it deserves.
What Damages Can I Recover if I’ve Been Sexually Abused in St. Cloud?
Victims of sexual abuse in St. Cloud, Minnesota, can recover two forms of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic.
Examples of economic and non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Lost wages
- Loss of quality of life
- Decreased enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Medical bills
- Therapy
- Childcare costs
- Decreased earning capacity
- Scarring and disfigurement
Punitive damages may also be available, which are given to “punish” the at-fault party for their conduct. However, punitive damages are not awarded in every case and require a stronger evidentiary showing.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s Child Victims Act establishes how much time sexual abuse victims have to submit a lawsuit. However, the law is complex, and there are numerous deadlines to consider.
It is critical that you file your lawsuit on time, as you’ll lose your ability to recover compensation in a court of law otherwise. The best way to determine the appropriate deadline for your case is to contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney in St. Cloud.
Schedule a Free Case Review With an Experienced St. Cloud Sexual Abuse Attorney
Sexual abuse and other similar offenses are deplorable actions that warrant the full force of available punishment from the legal system. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can take care of every aspect of your civil claim for damages against your abuser (and any liable third parties, if applicable).
Our St. Cloud sexual abuse attorneys will treat your case with the utmost respect, confidentiality, and compassion. We are here to help you achieve justice and ensure that the person who abused you answers for what they’ve done.
Contact us today at (800) 292-1979 to schedule your free case review.
Our personal injury law firm in St. Cloud, MN, also provides:
- Bicycle Accident Attorneys in St. Cloud, MN
- Boating Accident Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Brain Injury Attorney in St. Cloud
- Car Accident Lawyer in St. Cloud, MN
- Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Child Injury Attorney in St. Cloud, MN
- Dog Bite Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in St. Cloud
- Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in St. Cloud, MN
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in St. Cloud, MN
- Truck Accident Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Wrongful Death Lawyer in St. Cloud
