If you experienced sexual assault, your safety and well-being should come first. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or local authorities right away.

You may also want to seek support from a trusted medical provider, therapist, counselor, or victim advocate. Sexual assault can be deeply traumatic, and you deserve care, support, and privacy as you decide what steps feel right for you.

If possible, preserve anything that may help document what happened, including messages, photos, clothing, medical records, names of witnesses, reports, or communications with any organization or institution involved.

You do not have to navigate this alone. An attorney can help you understand your rights, protect your privacy, and determine whether you may have grounds to bring a civil claim.

You may be able to file a civil lawsuit after sexual assault, depending on what happened and who may be legally responsible. A civil lawsuit is separate from a criminal case and focuses on accountability and compensation for the harm you experienced.

In some cases, a civil claim may be brought against the person who committed the assault. In other cases, a claim may also involve an organization, business, school, employer, property owner, health care facility, religious institution, or other party that failed to take reasonable steps to protect you.

Every case is different. An attorney can review your situation, explain your options, and help determine whether another party may be legally responsible.

Many survivors do not come forward right away. Some need time to process what happened, feel safe, or understand their legal options.

Even if the assault happened years ago, you may still have options. Some states have extended deadlines or special legal windows that allow survivors of sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse to bring civil claims after the standard deadline has passed.

Because these laws vary by state and can be complicated, speaking with an attorney can help you understand whether you may still be able to file a claim.

No amount of money can undo what happened, but a civil lawsuit may help survivors pursue accountability and financial support for the harm they experienced. Compensation may include:

• Counseling, therapy, and mental health treatment
• Medical expenses related to the assault
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity
• Loss of quality of life
• Other long-term effects of the assault

A lawsuit may also help expose failures that allowed the assault to happen and help protect others from future harm.

Sexual assault cases require compassion, discretion, and the resources to investigate what happened. Survivors deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and privacy throughout the legal process.

Morgan & Morgan is America’s Largest Injury Law Firm, with more than 1,000 attorneys and over 35 years of experience handling serious injury and abuse-related claims. The firm has recovered more than $30 billion for clients and has the resources to investigate complex cases involving individuals, businesses, institutions, and other responsible parties.

If you experienced sexual assault, Morgan & Morgan can review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next step at your own pace.

Morgan & Morgan works on a contingency fee basis, meaning the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win your case. You can start with a free, confidential case evaluation.