What Is the Average Settlement for Sexual Assault Lawsuits?

According to a study investigating the lifetime economic burden of rape on a victim, a sexual assault survivor will wind up losing over $120,000 in overall damages as a result of the incident.

The study went on to explain how those losses usually include substantial medical bills for abuse-related injuries, lost work productivity, property damage, emotional distress, and other costs.

To reflect this, average sexual assault settlement amounts hover around a comparable and equal value. Considering this host of losses, it’s critical that sexual abuse survivors consider their options for financial recovery after an attack. Below, we’ll go over in depth a survivor’s rights when it comes to filing a lawsuit and provide more information about how our team here at Kermani LLP can help you pursue justice if you’ve been targeted in a sexual attack.

The Importance of Seeking Compensation

Considering the average settlement for sexual assault lawsuit claims can exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars, it’s important to consider your legal rights if you were sexually abused.

Seeking compensation is important for many reasons. For one, you are entitled under the law to financial compensation that restores you back to the economic position you were in before the incident. This money will help you cover costs associated with the attack, like your medical bills or income you lost missing time from work. It can also help you cover the emotional distress you suffered.

Another reason filing for compensation is critical is because it could help deter the perpetrator from committing similar crimes or force an institution to take corrective measures. For instance, the ongoing lawsuits awarding compensation for Mormon Church victims continue to result in protective institutional changes.

If you’re also seeking out a criminal case against your perpetrator, then it’s important to be aware of the differences when it comes to restitution vs. compensation. Restitution is a form of financial relief you will be awarded if the other party gets convicted of a crime, whereas compensation is provided by a court if you pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the suspect. Restitution is limited, whereas compensation should fully cover the extent of your losses.

Factors that Influence Settlement Amounts

Sexual abuse settlement amounts are always determined on a case-by-case basis, so you can never assume how much your case will be worth until you take the time to fully analyze the extent of your losses. In general, the most common factors that will influence your settlement amount include the severity of the attack, the impact of the incident, the duration of the abuse, and the strength of your case.

Severity of the Attack and Impact of the Incident

The most critical factor that determines the size of your settlement award is the severity of the attack and its impact on you. As a general rule, the more serious the attack is, the greater the impact it has on the survivor’s overall quality of life. That said, it follows that more serious attacks result in bigger settlement awards.

Duration of the Abuse

In general, your potential settlement award will be higher when the duration of the abuse you suffered is longer. The main reason for this is that long-term abuse leads to longer-term injuries and losses.

Strength of Your Case

One of the biggest factors that will influence your settlement award is the strength of your case. When you hire the right representative, they’ll be sure to collect significant evidence and documentation to back up your claims. By presenting a solid case upfront, your lawyer is increasing the chances that the other party will negotiate a more favorable settlement quickly.

Types of Compensation in Sexual Assault Cases

A sexual assault often results in a host of economic and non-economic damages. When you pursue a legal compensation claim, any sexual assault settlements you agree to should accurately reflect those losses. Some of the most common types of damages in sexual abuse claims include medical bills, lost income due to abuse, pain and suffering claims, and property damage.

Average Payouts for Sexual Assault Cases

Sexual assault compensation is awarded with the goal of restoring the victim back to the financial state they were in prior to the attack. That said, determining how much compensation for sexually abused victims is appropriate depends on the specific circumstances of each individual attack. The right assault lawsuit payout can only be determined by considering the specific losses of each case, but typically, the average sexual assault lawsuit payout exceeds tens of thousands of dollars.

How to Pursue Compensation for Sexual Assault

Pursuing sexual abuse compensation begins by officially reporting what happened, starting to document your losses, and reaching out to an attorney. Once you get in touch with an attorney, your lawyer can discuss payment arrangements or lawsuit funding for sexual abuse claims. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, though, which means you won’t have to pay for your legal representation until you win your case. From there, your attorney will begin collecting significant proof, filing the right paperwork, and negotiating with the other party.

Challenges in Sexual Assault Settlement Cases

Pursuing a sexual assault settlement case will likely present several challenges. For one, the potential for victim blaming is very high since it will be difficult to prove consent. It’s often extremely difficult to produce evidence for sexual harassment cases or instances of unwanted sexual assaults. For another, the survivor may fear retaliation and want to avoid any additional psychological trauma associated with providing testimony or defending themselves in court.

The good news is that a seasoned sexual assault attorney will know how to navigate these challenges and any other issues that surface throughout your claim.

Why Legal Representation Matters

A sexual assault is often traumatic for survivors, and pursuing a legal case for compensation alone can further compound the grief you’re experiencing. The main reason for this is because you’ll be expected to defend yourself and provide substantial documentation that proves your claims. Hiring the right legal representation for abuse victims ensures that your grief isn’t compounded by the challenges associated with your legal pursuit of justice. Your attorney can handle the claim while you focus on healing.

The right legal advocate can also maximize your overall settlement award by considering losses you may not have considered, like pursuing punitive damages for sexual abuse.

Contact Our Supportive Legal Advocates at Kermani LLP Now

The average sexual assault settlement typically exceeds tens of thousands of dollars because the losses associated with these types of attacks are substantial. Survivors are often left with physical and emotional scars that take a lifetime to recover from, and some sexual attacks result in permanent consequences like unintentional pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.

Here at Kermani LLP, our team of understanding and compassionate lawyers can help you seek out justice if you’ve been targeted and sexually attacked. We’ll stand by your side, especially if you’re facing institutionalized abuse or a perpetrator with a strong legal team of their own.

Schedule a free case evaluation by leaving your contact details on our online form now to get started.