If you or a family member were sexually assaulted in St. Petersburg, FL, we know you’re struggling with extreme trauma. It’s important to speak with an experienced St. Petersburg sexual assault lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation from your attacker and anyone who allowed the attack to occur.
At Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 300 years of combined experience. Over the years, we’ve helped our injured clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, in cases related to workplace accidents, medical malpractice cases in St. Petersburg, workers’ compensation, St. Petersburg wrongful death claims, and more.
You might not be thinking about money right now. However, money can help you get back on your feet again–and give you a sense of justice. To learn more about your legal options, call (727) 349-1728 at our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida to schedule a free consultation today.
Table of Contents
How Can Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers Help With My Sexual Assault Claim in St. Petersburg, FL?
Sexual assault is unforgivable. It has probably left you feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and alone. Financial compensation can’t take that away–but it can protect your future.
Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to help you fight for justice.
Three of our attorneys have been Board Certified by the Florida Bar Association, which is a distinction held by less than 2% of all Florida lawyers. We’ve also been recognized by Super Lawyers and earned an AV rating from the largest legal rating service in the country.
Hiring us gives you an attorney who will:
- Determine who is legally responsible for your damages
- Gather evidence to establish your right to compensation
- Work with leading experts throughout the legal process
- Calculate the fair value of your case, considering financial and non-financial losses
- Negotiate with insurance companies and defense teams on your behalf
- Handle all communications, paperwork, and legal issues so you can focus on recovering
The road to recovery might seem long and difficult. Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way we can. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Common is Sexual Assault in Florida?
In 2020 alone, 10,645 forcible sex offenses were reported to law enforcement officials across the state of Florida. Those sex crimes include rape, attempted rape, and forcible fondling. In Pinellas County, 121 forcible sex offenses were reported for every 100,000 residents in 2022.
Of course, it’s difficult to trust the statistics on sexual assault. While the data proves that sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem, it’s important to remember that studies show most sexual assaults go unreported.
As many as 80% of all rape victims never report the crime. The situation is even more dire on college campuses. More than 90% of all sexual assault victims on college campuses never report the attack.
Brief Overview of the Legal Basis for a Sexual Assault Lawsuit in Florida
You know that sexual assault and battery is a crime in the state of Florida. If caught, your attacker can be charged, convicted, and sentenced to prison.
You might not realize that sexual battery is also an intentional tort. You have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your attacker in civil court. Instead of jail time, the remedy in civil court is financial compensation.
You may also have the right to file a lawsuit against someone who allowed the attack to occur. If you were attacked while on someone else’s property, the property owner may be liable for negligent security.
What is My St. Petersburg Sexual Assault Case Worth?
No two injury claims are exactly the same. Your losses are different from anyone else’s, including victims of similar attacks.
While we can give you a more accurate estimate in a free case review, here are some factors to consider in the meantime:
- How serious were your injuries?
- How much money have you spent on medical care, rehabilitation, counseling, etc?
- Are you expected to require ongoing medical treatment or therapy?
- How has the attack impacted your quality of life and emotional well-being?
- Have you missed work and lost income due to the attack and injuries?
- Where did the attack occur?
- What types of evidence are available to support your claim for compensation?
The best way to know how much compensation you really deserve is to speak with an experienced lawyer. We’re always available to discuss your case, so call our law firm for a free case review today.
What Types of Compensation Are Available if I Was Sexually Assaulted in St. Petersburg, FL?
Like any car accident victim, victims of sexual assault can seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Your economic damages should make you financially whole again after an injury and often include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Psychological counseling and specialized therapies
- Property damage
Non-economic damages attempt to compensate you for the significant personal losses you have suffered, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety disorders
- Damage to personal relationships
- Depression
- Shame and humiliation
- Loss of consortium
If your attacker is caught, the court may also award punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed solely to punish individuals for intentional wrongdoing.
Our Lawyers in St. Petersburg Will Fight to Recover Full Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Our team at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers often handles cases involving:
- Severe bruising
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Genital injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Broken bones
The impact of a sexual assault will extend well beyond the physical injuries you suffer. You can also count on our sexual abuse lawyers to fight for compensation for the emotional suffering and trauma you have endured.
Our Attorneys Handle All Types of St. Petersburg Sex Crimes Cases
Our St. Petersburg sexual assault attorneys handle all types of sexual assault claims, including those involving:
- Rape
- Attempted rape
- Muggings or robberies
- Date rape
- Statutory rape
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse
- Unwanted sexual activity
We know that you’re going through a difficult time right now. Fortunately, getting legal advice is easy. Call our offices to schedule your free case review today.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Damages After a Sexual Assault in Florida?
Your attacker can be held financially responsible for the damage caused by their intentional criminal attack. That said, it’s not always easy to recover full compensation from the attacker–especially if they’re also paying for a criminal defense.
Someone whose negligence allowed the attack to happen could also be liable.
Depending on the location of your attack, any of the following parties might be liable:
- Colleges and universities
- Landlords and apartment complexes
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Nightclubs
- Shopping malls
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Hotels
- Parking garages
- Sports complexes
- Office buildings
- Your attacker’s employer
- Government agencies responsible for overseeing parks and public spaces
These claims are based on negligent security.
How Do I Prove I’m Entitled to Compensation if I Was Sexually Assaulted in Florida?
Under Florida premises liability laws, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for invited guests and visitors. Business owners are held to a heightened duty of care. That duty includes a duty to provide adequate security to prevent reasonably foreseeable crimes.
To establish liability, you must show that the crime was “reasonably foreseeable” and that the owner failed to take reasonable security precautions to prevent it.
These cases tend to turn on what is “reasonable” under the circumstances.
When we investigate and gather evidence to establish liability, some of the factors that our lawyers will examine include:
- Whether there was a history of past criminal activity in the area
- The type of business or property involved (owners of nightclubs, for example, should take different security precautions than owners of daycare centers)
- Any prior complaints about security measures
Business owners can often take simple precautions to prevent attacks, including:
- Installing adequate lighting
- Fixing broken locks
- Installing gates and fences
- Hiring security guards
- Responding to security alerts
- Installing security systems
- Training employees to recognize and respond to threats of violence
If a negligent third party had a duty to provide adequate security and failed, you can count on our lawyers in St. Petersburg to fight to hold them accountable.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Sexual Assault in Florida?
The statute of limitations in Florida gives injured parties four years to file a lawsuit based on assault. The four-year limitations period starts to run on the date of your attack. However, if the claim is based on negligence, you’ll only have two years to take action.
The statute of limitations may also be paused while criminal charges are pending. That can give you additional time to take legal action.
Contact a St. Petersburg Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Sexual assault should never happen. If you were attacked, a St. Petersburg sexual assault lawyer can help you fight for full compensation. Contact Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 349-1728. for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
