Bozeman Sexual Abuse Attorney

Experiencing sexual abuse is devastating and traumatic for victims. Oftentimes, they are left feeling alone and helpless. However, victims of sexual abuse can take their perpetrators to court and obtain proper justice. Sexual abuse victims have avenues outside the criminal court system; they can also bring civil suits against their perpetrator for additional compensation. Our Bozeman sexual

The Bozeman sexual abuse attorneys at Heenan & Cook, PLLC can help victims get the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering. We are admittedly committed to helping the victims of sexual abuse obtain justice in every way possible.

 

Bozeman Sexual Abuse Legal Resources

Why Choose Us?

Our attorneys are committed to the law but we are equally committed to our clients. We ensure our clients receive the care and compassion they deserve through this difficult process. The sexual abuse claims attorneys at Heenan & Cook, PLLC are here for you through every step of the claim litigation.

The Bozeman sexual abuse lawyers will always put our clients’ needs first and foremost. We are here to explain the legal challenges and fight to obtain proper justice for victims of sexual abuse.

We have decades of experience handling complex litigation claims, personal injury claims, and sexual abuse claims.

How Can a Sexual Abuse Claims Attorney Help?

When you have been injured or abused by another person, you deserve justice and proper compensation for your pain and suffering. However, compensation is not always easy to obtain and collecting evidence can be difficult. An experienced sexual abuse claims attorney can make the process easier and more efficient.

It is easy to lose account of details and laws after going through a traumatic experience. Fortunately, a skilled attorney can keep track of all evidence, laws, and any details that may affect your case. Attorneys will always be the best advocate for their client, and they realize you are dealing with a terrible situation.

An experienced Bozeman sexual abuse attorney will simplify the situation and handle all legal aspects, while allowing the victims to focus on their recovery process.Bozeman sexual abuse lawyers

Sexual Abuse Claims in Montana

Under Montana laws, sexual abuse can take many forms. The most common types of sexual abuse claims filed in Montana include:

The legal statute of limitations for a sexual abuse crime in Montana is complicated and filled with several exceptions to the rule. Depending on the facts, age of the victim and additional circumstances the statute of limitations that a victim has to file can vary substantially.

The main aspect of any sexual abuse case is consent. Montana has various definitions and laws regarding consent. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network has compiled a database of the legal consent laws in Montana. The three most important aspects of consent of a sexual abuse claim are:

  1. Definition of consent
  2. Capacity to Consent
  3. Defenses to Consent

Every state has different laws surrounding sexual abuse cases. It is always important to understand your rights and know when your rights may expire (statute of limitations).

What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Sexual Abuse Claim in Montana?

A successful personal injury lawsuit against the perpetrator of sexual abuse could result in various types of compensation for a survivor. This includes both compensatory and possibly punitive compensation. 

Compensatory damages

A civil lawsuit could help individuals recover compensation for a variety of types of expenses they incur as a result of the sexual assault or abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Any medical bills related to the abuse or assault, including hospital stays, transportation, ambulance costs, medications, mental health counseling, etc.
  • Pain and suffering damages, which include the emotional toll that the sexual assault inflicted on the individual at the time the incident occurred and in the time since the incident. 
  • Lost wages if the sexual abuse survivor had to take time away from work for counseling and recovery as a result of the incident.

Punitive damages

Punitive damages could be awarded in a sexual abuse case as a form of punishment against the abuser or assaulter. The judge could demand that the defendant pay these damages in addition to the compensatory damages if they (the judge) believe that the survivor has not been adequately compensated under the circumstances or if the actions of the defendant were particularly egregious. This could include situations where the defendant intended to harm the survivor and situations where criminal conduct occurred.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For Sexual Abuse Damages in Bozeman, MT?

When we examine Montana law, we can see that sexual assault is defined as “A person who knowingly subjects another person to any sexual contact without consent…”

There may be various ways that individuals can be held responsible for sexual abuse damages. Clearly, the actual person accused of and convicted of sexual assault or abuse would be responsible for paying damages in a civil claim, but it is important to point out that civil claims are separate from criminal actions. Prosecutors are responsible for filing charges against a person accused of sexual assault. Survivors are responsible for filing civil actions against these individuals.

In addition to the person who actually perpetrated the abuse, institutions or employers who shielded the abuser from liability could also be held responsible in a civil case. This could include schools, religious institutions, youth organizations, and more. Any person who knew about the abuse and failed to take steps to prevent or report the situation immediately could be held responsible.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Sexually Assaulted or Abused in Montana?

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or sexual assault in Montana, there are various steps that you can take to move forward. If you are an adult who was abused as a child, coming forward can be difficult, even today. 

We encourage you to speak to a skilled Bozeman sexual abuse attorney who can walk you through the steps necessary towards gaining justice and compensation for what happened to you. A major part of the recovery process should include mental health counseling for as long as you need it. 

If you have discovered that your child was sexually abused or assaulted, you need to contact the police and report the incident. If the sexual abuse was recent, you need to get to the hospital immediately for an evaluation. It is crucial to collect evidence that can be used against the perpetrator of this abuse and assault. We also encourage you to reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible. Law enforcement officials and prosecutors will handle the criminal charges, but your attorney can help walk you and your child through the civil claims process.

Contact Us

Our attorneys work with our clients on a personal level to ensure they receive proper representation and dependable service. We are here to offer a deeper understanding of the legal challenges around sexual abuse cases and how we will overcome those challenges in a cost-effective manner.

Our Bozeman sexual abuse lawyers at Heenan & Cook, PLLC are here for you if you have experienced sexual abuse and want to file a claim against the perpetrator.

Arrange a free consultation with our team by completing our online contact form or calling us at (406) 898-4WIN.