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Washington Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Committed Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Washington State
If you have been impacted by sexual abuse, you may be able to seek justice. Contact the sexual abuse lawyers in Washington State at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner today.
When you or a loved one falls victim to sexual abuse, everything changes. Simple things are terrifyingly complex and you’re left trying to piece everything together. Perhaps you’re finding it much harder to trust, to love, and to accept yourself. Perhaps you’re wondering how you can fix it, or if any of this can even be fixed in the first place.
Well as understanding and dedicated Washington sexual abuse lawyers, we’re here to tell you that, while the recovery process is long and sometimes painfully slow, you can recover. We see our clients – fellow victims – recover often, and their bravery never ceases to amaze us.
Sexual Abuse Is Much More Common Than We Realize
First of all, let us reiterate that you’re not alone in this – neither legally or otherwise. Everyday, hundreds of people are sexually assaulted or abused in the U.S. alone. According to reporting from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, it’s estimated that a staggering one in three women and one in six men experience some form of sexual contact or assault during their lifetimes. Nationally, about 321,500 individuals over the age of 12 are sexually abused in some way annually. These numbers simply have to change.
As more investigation is being done on the nature of sexual abuse and its perpetrators, researchers now understand more about this horrendous criminal behavior than ever before. Psychologically, it’s suggested that sexual abuse is less about the actual sexual behavior involved in a violent crime, but rather more about an expression of dominance or power over someone else. For this reason, among so many others, sexual abuse of any kind is absolutely inexcusable. Victims must seek justice, and perpetrators must pay for their actions. Get in touch with the compassionate yet determined Washington sexual abuse lawyers at our law firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speak With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Washington State Today
If you or a loved one has been victimized by sexual abuse, the time to act is now. We understand that coming forward and speaking about it must be one of the most frightening aspects of seeking help. But, our Washington sexual abuse lawyers are experts when it comes to seeking justice for our clients while always remaining cognizant of their feelings and sensitive to confidentiality. There are much too many victims of sexual abuse living among us, trying to carry on normal lives, while their attackers take theirs for granted. It’s time for that to end – for good.
If you’re ready to speak to us about your situation, we’re ready and willing to listen. We are here and we’re ready to seek justice for victims of sexual abuse that were no fault of their own. Please, reach out to us now so we can help you continue the healing process. Contact us today.
Other Areas We Provide Help in
The attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner have been helping those who fall victim to misfortunes – tragedies of all kinds like car accidents, wrongful death of a family member, defective drugs, and much more – for many years. We live and work in this community and our entire concern is that our clients and neighborhoods are safe for folks like us to live and thrive. Whenever injustices happen that prevent this, it’s our personal mission to see that we help to restore, recover, and legally rectify whatever we can for those involved. It’s our personal and professional aim, and we’re quite successful at doing just that.
We Expertly Help Victims in All the Following Areas
Car accidents: Car accidents are the most common accidents that result in personal injury lawsuits. Car accidents can be caused by a variety of things, but they often leave their victims with physical and financial scars for years to come.
Drunk driving accidents: Beyond just car accidents, drunk driving accidents cause unjust damage and can change a victim’s life forever. Often, a criminal conviction punishes a drunk driver, but the victim may never receive compensation for damages. Fortunately, it is also possible to sue a drunk driver, which can sometimes be better for victims of these accidents.
Wrongful death: Wrongful death is the term for when an injury victim dies as a result of someone else’s wrongful conduct. Damages can be comparable to those given after a catastrophic personal injury case and is often divided among close relatives. Many different acts of negligence can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit.
Bicycle accidents: A bicyclist is nearly invisible to many drivers who are not expecting to see a bicycle on the road. As such, many traffic accidents involving bicycles are actually caused by the motorist, not the bicyclist, though he or she is often the one who suffers more from the accident.
Motorcycle accidents: Motorcyclists are just as vulnerable as bicyclists – only, vulnerable at much higher speeds. Even when a rider takes proper safety precautions, death or serious personal injury can still happen. In fact, serious injury can occur even when another driver doesn’t make physical contact with a motorcyclist (e.g., running an operator off the road).
Trucking accidents: When an 18-wheeler truck loses control, it’s especially dangerous. Unlike your average driver, truckers are closely monitored and regulated; therefore, a regulatory violation can assist with personal injury or wrongful death claims resulting from an accident.
Defective drugs: Generally, three categories of drug defects lead to a product liability lawsuit: design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn of any significant dangers. Of all personal injury lawsuits, product liability lawsuits are one of the easiest to win.
Other types of accidents: Just about all types of injuries could involve a personal injury lawsuit if the injury was caused by someone else’s misconduct. You might be able to sue a bar, for example, if their bouncer unjustly attacked you, or sue a grocery store for failure to clean a slippery floor.
Please contact us. We have successfully sought out justice and damages for victims of terrible accidents that were no fault of their own. Call our law office to discuss your situation today.
FAQs
What is considered sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse is generally any sexual contact or sexual behavior that happens without consent. It may involve manipulation, false information, bribery, threats, coercion, or physical force. Because every case is different, victims should speak with experienced Washington State sexual abuse attorneys about their specific situation.
What is consent?
Consent means there are actual words or conduct showing a freely given agreement to sexual intercourse or sexual contact. Consent may not exist when threats, violence, pressure, coercion, manipulation, alcohol, drugs, unconsciousness, sleep, disability, or age-related limitations are involved.
What should you do when you are a victim?
If you know or fear that you have been sexually abused, call local police or 911 as soon as possible. You should also seek emergency medical care if needed. Victims can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) for immediate support and resources.
How prevalent is sexual assault among children?
Sexual assault among children is serious and often underreported. The safety and well-being of the child should always come first. Any suspected abuse should be reported to the proper authorities immediately. Because these cases are sensitive, legal guidance may help protect the child from additional trauma.
How is sexual assault classified in Washington State?
Washington State treats sexual assault as a serious crime. Felony sexual assault crimes may include first degree rape, second degree rape, third degree rape, and indecent liberties. These classifications can involve force, coercion, lack of consent, incapacity, disability, or other situations where consent could not be freely given.
What is the statute of limitations?
The statute of limitations for Washington sexual assault cases can depend on the victim’s age, when the abuse was reported, and whether the case is criminal or civil. In some cases, reporting the abuse within one year may allow a longer prosecution period. A Washington sexual abuse lawyer can help determine whether a claim may still be available.
What is the statute of limitations for civil claims?
Civil claims involving sexual assault may allow victims to seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and personal injuries caused by the abuse. In many cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the injury or from the discovery of the injury, if tolling does not apply.
Why should victims seek help?
Victims of sexual abuse may experience long-term physical, emotional, and mental health effects, including pain, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance dependence, exposure to sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, or increased risk of self-harm. Seeking medical care, counseling, legal guidance, and local support can help victims begin recovery and protect their rights.
