Victims of child sex abuse can pursue two different remedies. A victim of child sex abuse can file criminal charges against the offender seeking to have them convicted of a crime and sentenced to time in jail. But they can also file a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation for the physical harm and psychological damage that was caused by the abuse.

Cleveland attorney Tom Robenalt has extensive experience representing victims of child sex abuse. He regularly represents victims of child sexual abuse and provides guidance to help them navigate the legal system. A zealous advocate for the rights of his clients, Tom helps victims of child sexual abuse and their families by seeking justice for the harm they have suffered.

Civil Liability for Child Sex Abuse

Cleveland sex abuse attorney Tom Robenalt has extensive experience representing victims of child sex abuse. He will explain the differences between criminal charges and civil liability and regularly provides guidance to victims of child sex abuse. When he represents you, he will guide you through the legal system and help you seek justice for the harm you have suffered.

A civil lawsuit allows victims of child sexual abuse to seek financial compensation from their abuser and the people who enabled the abuse. In a civil lawsuit, the victim is not trying to send their abuser to jail. Instead, the victim is seeking financial compensation for the harm they have suffered.

The time limit for bringing a civil lawsuit against a child sex abuser is 12 years from the victim’s 18th birthday. If the abuse was fraudulently concealed, the statute of limitations is paused until the time the victim should have reasonably discovered the abuse through due diligence.

Take Action Against Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse

If you or your child were a victim of child sex abuse, you can seek closure by taking action to hold your abuser accountable. The attorneys at Robenalt Law know that it can be difficult to discuss past sexual abuse. But you can trust us to seek accountability from people who abuse positions of power and commit sexual abuse against children. We prosecute civil lawsuits against child sex abusers throughout the country, often taking on cases where an institution turned a blind eye to behavior that indicates sexual abuse of a child was occurring.

Even if there is not enough evidence to pursue criminal charges, there may be enough evidence to seek justice by filing a civil claim. The burden of proof is different in a civil lawsuit than in a criminal case, and you may be able to establish civil liability even if there is not enough evidence to bring criminal charges.

Fighting for Victims of Child Sex Abuse

In over 30 years of practice, attorney Tom Robenalt has learned that child sexual abuse inflicts terrible wounds on the victim. He knows that sexual abuse during childhood leaves emotional scars that can last a lifetime. He also understands that financial compensation will never make up for the harm that was caused. But it can pay for psychological treatment, compensate you for damage to family relationships, and more.

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be entitled to financial compensation for:

• the cost of medical and psychological treatment
• damage to family relationships
• lost wages
• psychological trauma
• pain and suffering
• punitive damages

At The Robenalt Law Firm, Inc., we have extensive experience helping victims of child sexual abuse recover compensation, even if the abuser was not convicted of a crime.

A victim of child sexual abuse can often bring a civil action, even if no criminal charges were filed or if the abuser was found not guilty in a criminal case. In addition to the abuser, other people may be responsible if they allowed the sexually abusive conduct to occur.

Victims of child sex abuse suffer greatly, in both the short term and the long term. Victims may experience extreme anxiety and often develop low self-esteem. Some people become aggressive, and others become suicidal.

If you were sexually abused as a child, or if you have a loved one who suffered from childhood sexual abuse, we want to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Call (216) 223-7535, email trobenalt@robenaltlaw.com, or use our online form.

We represent clients in Cleveland, throughout Ohio, and elsewhere. In most cases, there is no fee unless we win.