Sexual Assault Settlement Amounts

Sexual abuse survivors who pursue a civil lawsuit often want to know what sexual assault settlement amounts they can expect to receive. However, these cases vary greatly, so the amount of compensation you receive depends on many factors. This article will explain what you can expect in sexual assault cases and how damages are calculated. 

Our sexual abuse lawyers are known for receiving higher settlements than average, thanks to our powerful negotiation skills. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal options. 

Is There an Average Sexual Assault Settlement Amount? 

Due to the unique and highly personal nature of a sexual abuse lawsuit, research about average settlements in such cases can be misleading. Many people settle without filing a lawsuit and sign a non-disclosure agreement, so settlement amounts are not publicly disclosed. 

If a case goes to trial, the trial verdict will be reported. These cases may be different than those that were settled beforehand, such as if there is no clear evidence that the victim was sexually abused. While a civil case has a lower burden of proof, known as a preponderance of evidence, some cases may not meet this standard so obviously that a jury is not needed to decide. 

Also, the specific elements of the case will impact how much the victim receives. A lawsuit where an employee suffered workplace sexual harassment may receive less than if an adult sexually assaulted a young girl. Because of this, you need to speak to a sexual assault lawyer to understand what kinds of damages you might receive. 

Factors Determining Settlement Value in Sexual Abuse Cases

Illinois does not have a cap on potential damages, according to the Illinois Supreme Court ruling in LeBron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. This means that a fair settlement depends on the evidence available, insurance policy limits, and the severity of the sexual assault.

Liability of different parties determines what insurance companies are liable and how much they should pay. As an example, if a sex offender sexually abused a teenager in the Chicago Public Library system, the library is liable for inadequate supervision of patrons and for allowing a sex offender into restricted areas under the Chicago Municipal Code. 

Attorneys, insurance companies, and the justice system will consider several factors when deciding how much a sexual abuse victim should receive, including the following. 

Impact of Severity, Duration, and Victim’s Age

Factors like severity, duration, and the victim’s age will influence a sexual assault settlement.

Severity and Nature of the Abuse: While a civil trial is not the same as a criminal case, legal definitions of these forms of abuse will factor into our law firm’s argument. For example, criminal sexual abuse requires the use of force and sexual penetration. This is more serious than sexual harassment and therefore will receive more.

Duration of the Sexual Abuse: A person who was sexually abused for a long period of time, such as in a domestic violence situation, will suffer deeper psychological trauma. As such, their settlement will usually be higher.

Victim’s Age: Childhood sexual abuse leaves long-lasting emotional injuries that can completely change the victim’s future, so they often receive more. For example, a teenage girl was sexually assaulted during her theater class. She and her parents sued the school district, school principal, and others. They received a settlement for $3.5 million. 

Calculating Damages: Beyond Medical Bills

You may receive both economic and non-economic damages in a sexual assault lawsuit. Some of these include the following. 

Therapy and Counseling: Many sexual abuse survivors require significant treatment, which can be covered in economic damages.

Medical Expenses: We will utilize medical records to document the financial costs associated with your care. 

Lost Wages or Diminished Earning Capacity: Adults who are sexually abused often have to take time off work to recover or may only be able to work part-time. On the other hand, childhood sexual abuse victims may suffer from extreme mental health disorders that make it hard to maintain employment. This should be considered in your sexual abuse case.

Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress: The average sexual assault settlement has significant non-economic damages that reflect the long-term impact of sexual abuse. 

In some cases, a jury will award punitive damages, which are meant to punish the perpetrator. These are more common for violent sexual assaults or childhood sexual abuse. 

Why Strong Legal Representation Maximizes Compensation

A personal injury law firm is crucial in receiving a higher amount for your injuries. We will thoroughly investigate the abuse and gather evidence that may not be available to the general public. 

Our team of compassionate attorneys will work to reduce the trauma of sharing your story while still gathering essential testimony. This is especially important for childhood sexual abuse survivors, who may have severe trauma associated with the incident. 

The psychological impact of sexual abuse is often a key element of a settlement. Our attorneys will work with therapists and experts to understand both how the sexual abuse has impacted you and what future needs you may have.

Through this work, we can build a compelling case that considers every impact on your life. We will firmly negotiate with defendants, including individuals and institutions, as well as any relevant insurance companies. 

Often, insurance companies settle without going to trial. However, we are always prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you at trial if necessary. This way, we ensure that you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled. 

It is crucial that you initiate the process immediately, as Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations. If you fail to file before this deadline, you will not be entitled to a settlement. Contact us immediately for a free case review so we can begin investigating your sexual assault case. 

Illustrative Case Results: Potential for Significant Recoveries

Sexual assault cases, especially for childhood sexual abuse, can result in significant compensation for lifelong support and recovery. Our law firm has successfully negotiated million-dollar payouts for clients, including the following.

• $21,000,000 sexual assault settlement against a national hotel chain for failing to screen employees.
• $15,000,000 for several survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 
• $2,333,000 settlement for two women who were sexually abused by a CNA.

Negotiating Settlements in Sensitive Abuse Cases

Our sexual abuse attorneys advocate for your best interests and avoid unnecessary re-traumatization during the legal proceedings. We will protect your privacy, including petitioning the court to allow you to file under a pseudonym if we believe it is in your best interest.

Reliving sexual assault through testimony can be deeply distressing. We understand how challenging this can be and will do everything possible to minimize the psychological impact. Additionally, we can direct you toward helpful local resources, such as the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which can provide further support.

In any sexual assault case, our goal is to help you heal from what happened. For some people, facing the perpetrator can be empowering, while others may find it too difficult. We let you take the lead when it comes to being present during negotiations. 

While you will have to be present for some proceedings, we will reduce your exposure while still keeping you informed. 

Consult a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near You!

While there is no average settlement for sexual abuse due to the many factors involved, working with a nationally recognized law firm can significantly impact how much compensation you receive. Our firm has a 98% success rate and has secured over $450 million for our clients over the past 25 years. 

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to secure a settlement for you. This ensures that everyone, no matter their financial means, can access high-quality legal services.

To schedule a free consultation with our sexual abuse attorneys, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.