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How Sexual Assault Victims Can Use a Civil Lawsuit to Get Justice

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By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

Sexual assault is a heinous crime that can impact victims for the rest of their lives. As the #MeToo movement has illustrated, it is a disturbingly common and growing problem that affects many of us. Unfortunately, even in 2019, the criminal justice system does not always treat sexual assault victims fairly, and many sexual assault victims either lose at court or don’t even bother bringing their case to court for fear of the extreme and often degrading levels of scrutiny such a proceeding can bring to them.

Victims of sexual assault deserve to know there is another option: a civil lawsuit.

In addition to criminal prosecution, survivors of sexual assault can bring a civil lawsuit against their attacker or other individuals who were involved in the attack. Many of our clients who are survivors of sexual assault are surprised to learn that they are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, psychological counseling, present and future medical expenses, and loss of future wages stemming from the attack. Further, some of our clients have even been eligible for restitution from California’s Victim’s Compensation Fund.

In a matter as sensitive, traumatic, and emotionally brutal as sexual assault, it is important that any attorney representing you in a personal injury lawsuit have experience representing other sexual assault victims. It is also important that your personal injury attorney be compassionate and respectful—after all, the burden that survivors of sexual assault carry is not a light one.

At J&Y Law, we pride ourselves on representing survivors of sexual assault in a way that combines compassionate and empathetic client interaction with aggressive and unflinching legal representation. Our personal injury attorneys have seen up close the effect sexual assault has on our clients. We believe all sexual assault survivors, and we also believe that those who come to us for help never have to worry whether their attorney truly cares about their best interests.

One of the more common things our clients say to us is, “Well, I’m pretty sure it was sexual assault, but my friend or family member said it might not be, so I’m not sure anymore.” It helps to have an understanding of what sexual assault is, especially when so many people are invested in trying to make unacceptable actions seem nonchalant or like “a misunderstanding.”

Sexual assault is any time of sexual contact that is non-consensual. It can come at the hands of a stranger, close friends, casual acquaintances, co-workers, family members, and even sexual partners. Both women and men can be sexually assaulted. There is never an excuse for sexual assault, and victims never “ask for it” in any way.

If you have been sexually assaulted, it’s important to know that you did not deserve it—but that you DO deserve justice and compensation for the very real effect this attack has on your life. At J&Y Law, our experienced sexual assault personal injury attorneys are committed to providing sexual assault victims with the highest quality of legal representation. Even if you’re not sure whether you’re ready to file a lawsuit, we will help you understand what legal options you have—and what compensation you may be entitled to. Contact J&Y Law today.

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About the Author
Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.