St. Louis Sexual Abuse Lawyer

As a sexual abuse survivor, you may be traumatized and feel like there is no justice without a criminal case. However, our team of St. Louis, MO, sexual abuse lawyers can help you recover compensation through a civil case.

Morelli Law Firm has recovered over $1 billion in settlements for our clients in our 25 years in business. Our personal injury lawyers in St. Louis, MO, can help you hold your abuser accountable for their wrongdoing.

How Long do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Claim?

After surviving sexual abuse as an adult, your filing time is the same for personal injury cases in Missouri. So, you have five years from the sexual abuse to file a claim for damages.

However, if you were a child when the abuse occured, when you turn 18, you have 10 years from the abuse to file a claim. Our team at Morelli Law Firm understands that the legal process can be overwhelming after you experience abuse. You can ask any additional questions in a free consultation.

What Damages Can You Recover After Sexual Abuse?

After sexual abuse, you may be distressed and unsure how you’re going to go through life with the trauma the abuse caused. While money cannot erase what happened, our team of sexual abuse lawyers in St. Louis, MO, can help you recover damages to help you regain your confidence and financial security, such as:

• Medical expenses: Compensation for the costs of medical treatment related to physical and psychological injuries caused by the abuse, including therapy, counseling, medications, and other healthcare services.
• Pain and suffering: Damages awarded to address the physical and emotional distress experienced as a result of the abuse, encompassing pain, anguish, emotional trauma, and mental suffering.
• Emotional distress: Compensation for the psychological impact of the abuse, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the costs of therapy and counseling.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Damages for the loss of ability to enjoy life’s activities and experiences due to the abuse, including hobbies, social engagements, and personal relationships.
• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost as a direct result of the abuse, as well as the potential long-term impact on earning capacity.

How Much does It Cost to Hire a St. Louis, MO, Sexual Abuse Lawyer?

When seeking legal representation for a sexual abuse case, it is important to understand the potential costs involved. Here is an overview of the typical cost structure and considerations when hiring a sexual abuse lawyer in St. Louis, MO:

Contingency Fee Arrangement

Many sexual abuse lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to worry about paying us for our services when you seek them. 

Instead, our fees depend on us winning you a favorable settlement. If we do not win your case, you do not owe us any attorney’s fees.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

While our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, it is important to note that there may be out-of-pocket costs associated with your case. These costs typically include expenses for gathering evidence, hiring expert witnesses, court filing fees, deposition transcripts, and other necessary resources to support your claim. As your legal representatives, we will keep you fully informed about any potential out-of-pocket costs and discuss them with you transparently.

Valuable Evidence in a Civil Sexual Abuse Case

As your lawyers, we understand the importance of gathering valuable evidence in your civil sexual abuse case. In order to support your claims and ensure a fair legal process, we will work diligently to compile a compelling collection of evidence. Here are some types of evidence that we will focus on:

Your Testimony

Your firsthand account of the abuse is a critical piece of evidence. We will work closely with you to help you provide a clear, consistent, and credible testimony that outlines the details of the abuse, including when it occurred, what happened, and who was involved.

Medical and Forensic Evidence

We will collaborate with medical professionals to obtain relevant medical records that document any physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or other medical conditions resulting from the abuse. In cases of recent abuse, we will explore the option of a forensic examination to collect evidence such as DNA, bodily fluids, or other physical evidence that can link the perpetrator to the abuse.

Witnesses and Corroborating Testimony 

We will identify and interview any witnesses who have knowledge of the abuse or circumstances surrounding it. Their corroborating testimony can help validate your claims. 

We will also reach out to character witnesses who can attest to your character, behavioral changes, or emotional distress following the abuse. Additionally, we will consider seeking testimony from relevant professionals, such as therapists, counselors, teachers, or coaches, who can provide additional support by documenting behavioral changes or disclosures you made.

Documentation and Records

We will search for any documentation or records that can substantiate your claims or demonstrate a pattern of behavior by the perpetrator. This may include diaries or journals containing personal writings that mention the abuse, photographs or videos that serve as visual evidence, or correspondence such as emails or text messages that establish contact or communication between you and the perpetrator.

Electronic and Digital Evidence

In today’s digital age, electronic evidence can be crucial. We will explore the possibility of obtaining social media posts, messages, emails, text messages, or phone records that are relevant to your case. These materials can help substantiate your claims or demonstrate a relationship between you and the perpetrator.

Contact Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, our team at Morelli Law Firm is ready to help get you justice for your pain and losses. Our St. Louis, MO, sexual abuse lawyers can help you gather evidence, file a claim, and build a strong case.

Contact us today for a free consultation to get started on holding your abuser accountable.