Are you the survivor of sexual abuse or assault that you suffered in Ann Arbor, Michigan? If so, the legal team at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, wants you to know that you are not alone, and that you have an advocate standing by to offer you a helping hand. We understand the severe physical and emotional toll that these heinous crimes can take, and we are committed to helping survivors stand up and demand accountability and compensation for what they’ve suffered. You should not have to bear the burden of someone else’s terrible act, and we want to help you get the resources you need to rebuild your life.
If you’re ready to take the first step on a path to justice, contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, today. We offer free and confidential consultations, so there’s no risk in speaking with an experienced, compassionate sexual assault lawyer serving Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sexual abuse and assault encompass a range of non-consensual and unwanted sexual activities aimed at control and power. These include rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, sexual harassment, and forced prostitution. The targets of these acts can be anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or orientation, and they often endure profound psychological, emotional, and physical repercussions. Crucially, survivors may be entitled to compensation for what they’ve suffered. This is distinct from and in addition to the criminal case the state may pursue against the perpetrator.
Sexual assault is not only a criminal offense but also a civil wrong. While the state may pursue criminal charges against someone it believes has committed sexual abuse or assault, it does so in an effort to punish the perpetrator for the harm they’ve done to society at large. A sexual assault survivor, on the other hand, can pursue a civil case against the wrongdoer entirely independent from the state’s criminal case. Doing so is about seeking justice and accountability for what the survivor personally suffered because of the perpetrator, apart from the more general harm that such acts cause society.
Survivors of sexual assault can pursue various forms of compensation through civil courts, which address both tangible and intangible damages. The former are called economic damages and might include medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages. The latter are called non-economic damages, which cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Rather than compensate the survivor, these are designed to punish the perpetrator and deter similar conduct in the future. This compensation plays a critical role in the survivor’s healing process, aiding in recovery and providing financial stability.
Pursuing civil litigation against sexual assailants holds them accountable in ways that criminal law sometimes cannot. Civil courts require a lower standard of proof than criminal proceedings, which can make it easier for survivors to win their cases. Holding perpetrators civilly liable not only contributes to the survivor’s sense of justice but also serves as a deterrent to future offenses. It sends a powerful message to society about the seriousness of sexual assault and the consequences such egregious behavior can have, reinforcing the rights of survivors and the responsibilities of individuals to respect those rights
Those who’ve been the targets of sexual abuse or assault can demand compensation for what they’ve suffered. This compensation can take several different forms. For example, economic damages compensate a survivor for financial losses directly resulting from the assault and may include:
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are awarded for the intangible losses suffered by the survivor, which can include:
In some cases, a survivor may be awarded punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, the goal of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. These are not tied to the specific harm suffered by the survivor but are instead aimed at penalizing the perpetrator.
The aftermath of sexual abuse or assault is a difficult time, and it’s not one you should have to go through alone. You deserve support, and there are several organizations in the Ann Arbor area that can provide it, including the following:
While you take the time to rest and recover from what happened to you, let the sexual assault attorneys with Atnip & Associates, PLLC, get to work on your case. We can:
We are prepared to do this work for you without charging you any upfront fees. We know how difficult things might be right now, and we do not want to add to your burden. That’s why you’ll only pay us if and when we win your case and recover the compensation and justice you deserve.
If you have experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault in the Ann Arbor region, we want you to know that you are not alone. The entire legal team at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, is standing by to offer our help, support, and guidance as you pursue accountability from the person who hurt you and compensation to help you rebuild your life. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation with a sexual assault attorney who serves Ann Arbor, Michigan. We look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and explaining your rights.
