Have you been sexually abused in Minneapolis, Minnesota? Call Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for a free, confidential case evaluation. You have rights as a survivor, especially when you were abused by a trusted member of a religious institution, a coach or teacher, or a healthcare provider. You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, therapy, and lost wages. Our Minneapolis sexual abuse lawyers are here to help you demand the maximum case results you deserve.
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC is a top-rated personal injury law firm in Minneapolis that offers compassionate, reliable, and aggressive legal representation when you need it most. Drawing on decades of combined experience handling complex and challenging injury claims, our award-winning Minnesota litigators have forced employers, government agencies, multi-national corporations, and powerful organizations to pay our clients millions in compensation.
Don’t let your abuser or those responsible for their actions off the hook. Demand accountability and fight for justice by putting our respected legal team in your corner. We offer a free consultation, so call our Minneapolis sexual abuse lawyers at (612) 333-4662 for help today.
Why Survivors of Sexual Abuse Choose Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC
- Our law firm is known for securing life-changing results by focusing 100 percent of our attention on each case and client. We will protect you and your rights every step of the way.
- We have recovered more than $200 million in case results for our clients and have over 40 years of experience representing sexual abuse survivors in Minnesota (founded in 1986).
- Our team of highly-rated attorneys has earned awards and national recognition for the exceptional work they perform on behalf of personal injury clients.
- There are no fees for your sexual abuse civil case unless we secure you financial compensation for your losses, guaranteed. You will pay us $0 upfront.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse broadly refers to unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact that’s harmful or offensive.
Some common examples of sexual abuse include:
- Rape
- Statutory rape
- Molestation
- Groping
- Indecent exposure
- Sodomy
Sexual abuse or sexual assault can occur if someone else touches your genitals, anus, or, if you’re a female, breasts in a sexually explicit manner, either over or under your clothing. It can also involve forcing you to watch sexually explicit behavior, such as masturbation or sex with a third party.
What’s Institutional Sexual Abuse?
Institutional sexual abuse refers to nonconsensual sexual contact within an institutional setting – such as a church, camp, school, medical facility, nursing home, or prison.
Many times, survivors of institutional sexual abuse are children or vulnerable adults who can’t consent to sexual activity. Survivors may feel pressured to have sex or engage in sexually explicit activities because their abuser is a person of power or authority, such as a coach, member of the clergy, counselor, medical professional, or government official.
At Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC, we take allegations of institutional sexual abuse very seriously. If you or your child has been abused in an institutional setting, it’s important to know that you have the right to take legal action against the individual who actively abused you/your child and the institution itself.
Churches, camps, children’s organizations, and schools are responsible for the actions of their employees. If an employee abuses their position of authority to have sex or to achieve their own sexual gratification, the institution can be held accountable for resulting trauma, injuries, and costs.
Our sexual abuse attorneys in Minneapolis will be your family’s most aggressive and passionate legal advocate and will fight to ensure that you’re compensated appropriately. Bringing a civil claim can also help to protect others from suffering the same trauma you were forced to endure against your will.
Can I File a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against an Institution?
Yes, you can file a civil lawsuit against an institution in Minnesota for sexual abuse. Institutions are responsible for what transpires under their authority. They must ensure the reasonable safety of children and adults within their care and premises. They also absorb vicarious liability for the actions and misconduct of their on-duty workers. If an institution falls short of its duty of care, it can be held liable for any sexual assault or abuse that occurs.
Institutions That May Be Held Liable
A variety of institutions, organizations and corporations can be held legally responsible for a case of sexual abuse in Minnesota, depending on the circumstances. Any institution where sexual abuse takes place could potentially bear liability.
Common examples include:
- Schools (public and private)
- Colleges and universities
- After-school programs
- Churches, synagogues and religious centers
- Youth camps
- YMCA centers
- Boy/Girl Scouts
- The military
- A government agency
- Employers and corporations
- Hospitals and health care facilities
- Nursing homes
Everyone has the right to live, play, learn and exist in environments that are free from sexual abuse and assault. When an institution fails to provide this environment due to negligence, it can be held responsible through a civil lawsuit in Minnesota.
When an Institution May Be Responsible
Institutional liability in Minneapolis can arise in a sexual abuse case where the survivor was in the care or control of an institution or establishment at the time of the assault. An institution can be held directly or vicariously responsible, depending on who was negligent.
In some cases, an institution is negligent in failing to adequately protect those within its charge. Examples include negligent staff hiring or training, inadequate supervision, and failing to respond correctly to complaints. Institutional negligence can create a dangerous environment where perpetrators find opportunities to prey on victims.
In other cases, institutions are vicariously liable for the crimes of their on-duty employees through the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. If a perpetrator was within the course or scope of their employment at the time that sexual abuse took place, the institution can be held responsible as the defendant’s employer.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a law known as the statute of limitations that imposes a strict deadline or time limit on a sexual abuse survivor’s right to file a civil claim. These deadlines change according to the age of the victim at the time of the abuse and the type of defendant.
Minnesota Statutes §541.073 states that an action for damages based on sexual abuse must be commenced within:
- Six years of the alleged sexual abuse in the case of alleged sexual abuse of an individual 18 years or older
- At any time in the case of alleged sexual abuse of an individual under the age of 18, except as provided for in subdivision 4
- Subdivision 4 states that a vicarious liability or respondeat superior claim (meaning a claim against an institution) involving a sexually abused minor must be brought before the child turns 24 years old
- Before the plaintiff is 24 years of age in a claim against a natural person alleged to have sexually abused a minor when that natural person was under 14 years of age
Don’t wait to contact an attorney in Minneapolis about a potential sexual abuse claim. If you wait too long and your statute of limitations expires, the courts will most likely bar you from filing. Consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to file your claim by the deadline.
How Can a Sexual Abuse Attorney in Minneapolis Help Me?
A sexual abuse attorney in Minneapolis will handle every aspect of your civil case for you while you focus on yourself, your recovery and your well-being. A lawyer will discuss your legal rights (for free during an initial consultation at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC) after a thorough review of your unique situation.
If the lawyer takes your case, they will launch a comprehensive investigation into the abuse or assault, gathering timely evidence such as eyewitness accounts, medical records, forensic and DNA evidence, photos and video footage, and police reports. Your lawyer can also hire experts, specialists, physicians and psychologists to strengthen your claim.
Your sexual abuse lawyer will aggressively pursue the justice you deserve by taking over settlement negotiations with an insurance company or filing a civil lawsuit in Hennepin County on your behalf, if necessary. An attorney can handle all legal appearances and communications for you and keep your identity anonymous throughout, if desired.
How Do I Know if I Have a Sexual Abuse Case?
If you were sexually assaulted or abused in Minneapolis, your first step in initiating a civil lawsuit should be to report the crime to local authorities. Start by telling someone you trust what happened. Get professional medical care, including a sexual assault forensic exam, within a few days, if possible. Then, report the abuse to the police.
Filing a police report initiates an investigation into the defendant(s) that could lead to charges being filed. In general, Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC does not pursue sexual abuse or assault cases unless criminal charges have been filed or there is an active criminal investigation. After filing your report, you can discuss your right to hold an abuser or institution civilly liable for your harm.
Speak With Our Minneapolis Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
Sexual abuse is a heinous crime that has lasting repercussions for survivors. Filing a civil lawsuit is a strong measure of justice that can be delivered against not only the individual perpetrator, but all parties and institutions that played a role in allowing the sexual assault or abuse to occur.
A successful claim can hold parties accountable and bring you closure during an extremely difficult time. To speak directly to an award-winning Minneapolis trial attorney who’s ready to fight for you, contact us to arrange a free, confidential case review. Call (612) 333-4662 to get in touch with our knowledgeable sexual abuse lawyers.