Phoenix Sexual Assault Lawyer

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Sexual assault is a horrific crime. Victims often suffer long-term emotional and physical consequences from the assault. If you were a victim of sexual assault, you could be entitled to compensation for damages from the offender and other parties responsible for the circumstances that led to the attack.

At Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our Phoenix sexual assault lawyers have more than 55 years of experience between us. We have a 98% success rate with personal injury claims. Since beginning our firm, we have represented more than 3,000 clients and recovered over $30 million in damages.

We are available 24/7 to discuss your Phoenix, AZ case with you. All consultations are confidential. Call Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (602) 595-5559 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Phoenix sexual assault attorneys.

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How Our Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Injured Because of Sexual Assault in Arizona

Sexual assault is not your fault. You did nothing wrong, yet you’ve suffered significant harm because of another party’s intentional torts and wrongdoing. Our Phoenix sexual assault lawyers at Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help.

With decades of experience in personal injury law and substantial resources, our Phoenix personal injury attorneys are equipped to handle the most complex sexual assault claims. Our lawyers are recognized by national legal organizations for their legal expertise and client services. We are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and are top-prated by Super Lawyers.

When you hire our top-rated personal injury lawyers in Phoenix, we will:

Investigate what happened to you to gather evidence supporting your claim
Obtain the results of the investigation by law enforcement agencies
Monitor the outcome of a criminal case against the offender
Identify all parties who could be liable for your damages in addition to the offender
Work with leading experts, as necessary
Aggressively negotiate fair insurance settlements
File a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to court if necessary

When you need a Phoenix sexual assault lawyer, the attorneys at Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. We will fight for your right to fair and just compensation for damages.

Contact Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced sexual assault lawyer in Phoenix, AZ.

Overview of Sexual Assault Laws in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Revised Statute §13-1406 defines sexual assault as knowingly or intentionally engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with someone without their consent. Oral sexual contact means oral contact with the vulva, penis, or anus.

Examples of sexual assault include, but are not limited to:

Abducting someone and raping them or performing oral sex on them
Forcing a date to have sex
A college student having sex with someone who is severely intoxicated
Forcing a spouse to have sexual intercourse
Drugging someone to have sex

Sexual assault is a Class 2 felony. Criminal penalties for a conviction include a presumptive prison term of seven years for a first offense. However, aggravating factors could increase the prison term for a conviction. These factors include sexual assault involving a minor under 13 years of age, the infliction of severe physical injury, and intentionally giving someone drugs without the person’s knowledge.

An offender may also be charged with related crimes, depending on the facts of the case. Related crimes include sexual abuse, public sexual indecency, and aggravated assault.

Who Is Liable for Damages Caused by Sexual Assault in Phoenix, AZ?

The offender can be personally liable for any damages resulting from the sexual assault. However, other parties could share liability for the victim’s injuries and damages.

Examples of parties who might be liable in a sexual assault case include, but are not limited to:

Employers
Colleges and universities
Nurses, doctors, hospitals, and medical facilities
Motels, hotels, and resorts
Teachers, tutors, and coaches
School administrators
Non-profit organizations, including sports leagues and youth organizations
Churches, clergy, and religious organizations
Nursing home administrators and owners
Property and building owners
Business owners
Amusement parks
Sports and entertainment venues

Third parties can be liable for sexual assault damages because of negligent hiring practices, insufficient security, inadequate lighting, and other breaches of their duty of care. Our Phoenix sexual assault attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault to identify all parties who could be liable for damages.

What Are the Consequences of Sexual Assault in Phoenix, AZ?

A sexual assault can cause the victim severe harm and trauma.

A sexual assault victim may experience one or more of the following injuries:

Broken bones
Unwanted pregnancy
Soft tissue injury
Disfigurement
Spinal cord injury
Traumatic brain injury
Internal organ damage
Sexually transmitted diseases and infection

Victims of sexual assault also experience severe emotional trauma. They may develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), chronic depression, severe anxiety, and other psychological conditions.

The trauma can result in eating disorders, sleep problems, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts or attempts. The emotional pain and suffering can be as debilitating as a physical injury.

What Damages Can I Receive for a Sexual Assault Injury Claim in Phoenix, AZ?

A sexual assault injury claim includes compensatory damages for your monetary losses, emotional distress, and physical injuries.

Examples of the economic damages you could receive for a sexual assault claim include:

Past and future medical bills
Rehabilitative therapies
Reconstructive surgery
Mental health therapy
Past and future lost wages
In-home person and/or nursing care
Out-of-pocket expenses
Diminished earning capacity

Sexual assault causes more harm than financial losses. Victims also suffer emotional harm and other intangible losses.

The law provides compensation for these non-economic damages, including:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Psychological conditions
Loss of enjoyment of life
Scarring and disfigurement
Mental anguish and trauma
Disability and impairment
A decrease in quality of life

Assault injuries can also result in punitive damages. Juries award these damages as a way to punish a defendant for specific types of conduct.

Arizona’s punitive damages law requires the at-fault party to have acted with an “evil mind” to justify punitive damages.

An evil mind can include acting:

With intent to cause someone harm
With the knowledge that the conduct could cause a substantial risk of harm to someone
Out of spite or ill will

Sexual assault may fit into one or more of these categories for a punitive damages award if you take your case to court.

How Much Is My Phoenix Sexual Assault Injury Claim Worth?

The amount you receive for a sexual assault claim depends on the circumstances and factors of your case.

Factors that can impact how much your sexual assault claim is worth include:

The extent of the physical injuries you sustained, including impairments, disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
The duration of your recovery
Whether you are able to return to work
The severity of the psychological trauma you sustained
The parties involved in the case
The strength of the evidence proving the legal elements of your claim
Whether you go to trial or accept a settlement offer

Another factor that can impact how much you receive for a claim is whether or not you hire an experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyer. These cases are complex personal injury claims. Having an experienced attorney on your side increases your chance of success.

Our Phoenix sexual assault attorneys analyze all factors that impact the value of your damages. We work to maximize your damages to increase the amount of money you receive for your sexual assault injury claim.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Sexual Assault Claim in Phoenix, AZ?

The Arizona statute of limitations for most civil cases involving sexual assault is two years from the assault date. A court can dismiss an action filed after the deadline passes.

However, there are exceptions to the statute of limitations that could change the filing deadline. Also, the statute of limitations may differ for different causes of action. The best way to protect your right to pursue a court claim is to meet with an attorney as soon as possible following a sexual assault.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Phoenix Sexual Assault Injury Lawyer?

At Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our Phoenix personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis. Instead of asking you to pay a retainer fee to hire our law firm, we are paid when you get paid. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover for your claim that we agree upon before you sign a retainer agreement.

We take cases we believe we can win. You can trust that we will do everything in our power to obtain the maximum compensation for your case. You owe no attorneys’ fees unless we win your case, so our payment is tied directly to our success as your attorney.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Phoenix Sexual Assault Lawyers

What you have been through in Phoenix, AZ, can be devastating. By filing a personal injury claim, you can hold the offender and the parties that enabled the offender responsible for your injuries. Our attorneys at Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, stand by your side and fight for justice in the civil courts.

Call us today to schedule a free case review with an experienced Phoenix sexual assault lawyer. Your consultation with our Phoenix sexual assault attorney is confidential.