Augusta Sexual Abuse Attorney

The Hawk Firm empowers survivors of sexual abuse. We do this by offering legal resources that allow our clients to hold perpetrators financially accountable. If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse and want to initiate legal action, look no further for assistance; you’ve come to the right place.

An Augusta sexual abuse attorney from our firm can manage your case with the tact and attention to detail it merits. Today, you can explore your options during a free case review. We want to learn what happened and how we can support you. All of our conversations are confidential; your story is safe with us. You can trust Jacque, Erin, and the rest of our experienced legal team. Call now.

Table of Contents

• How Can a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help Me?
• We Can Seek Financial Recovery for Your Various Hardships
• Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse Cases in Augusta
• What Should I Do After Enduring Sexual Abuse?
• We Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Augusta

How Can a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help Me?

It takes courage to seek help after enduring sexual abuse. We strive to offer comprehensive support to guide you through this difficult time. You don’t have to feel alone once you retain our help; we intend to stand by you through each step of the legal process.

The Hawk Firm Offers Compassionate Legal Advocacy

Our lawyers in Augusta go above and beyond for each of our clients. We understand that sexual abuse is a sensitive matter, and we want you to feel comfortable throughout the entirety of your case. Our firm’s attorneys do everything possible to secure damages for the physical, emotional, and financial trauma you’ve endured.

There are many benefits to partnering with an Augusta sexual abuse attorney from our firm.

We pride ourselves on:

• Transparency: The attorneys at our firm always provide transparency. That way, you always know what’s going on with your case and what options you have moving forward. We don’t sugarcoat anything; we want you to understand the reality of your situation, so you can make informed decisions.
• Compassion: Each of our attorneys are compassionate individuals who have a lot of empathy for what our clients have gone through. Each case and client receive personalized attention. You will never have trouble reaching your attorney if you want a status update or have a question.
• Our investigative skills: The Hawk Firm thoroughly investigates sexual abuse cases and gathers compelling evidence, such as witness testimony. The information we gather aims to support your case.
• Quality over quantity: Too often, law firms take on too many cases at a time. This means they won’t have enough time to give each case the attention it needs. At our firm, we carefully consider each case before we take it on. That way, we can expend all of our resources to fight for a fair outcome.

We Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis (No Upfront Fees or Costs)

You may have many financial concerns while considering your legal options. We want to alleviate those concerns. So, we offer help on a contingency-fee basis.

As our client:

• You pay nothing out of pocket for our services. We don’t charge any upfront fees to get our help. That means you can retain our service without paying a dime.
• You don’t worry about hourly rates. We don’t charge by the hour. We base our attorney’s fees based on your case’s obligations—not the time we put into it.
• Our fees come from your final settlement. We take a percentage of the settlement we recover on your behalf as payment for our help. We mutually decide on this percentage at the beginning of our partnership.

We Can Seek Financial Recovery for Your Various Hardships

We understand that financial recovery can’t account for each of your challenges. Still, compensation can offer a measure of justice and closure. Your case may also empower other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward, giving them the strength to hold their abuser accountable.

Our team seeks compensation that reflects your situation. Recoverable damages may comprise:

Medical Costs

Depending on the abuse you sustained, you might have physical injuries that require medical attention. You could receive compensation for any mental health services you sought.

Recoverable medical costs can also comprise:

• Emergency room care
• STI testing
• A forensic assault examination
• Medications
• Treatment for physical injuries, such as internal bleeding
• Hospitalization
• Residency at a long-term care facility

You could recover additional costs to those listed here. Our attorneys consult with your healthcare team to learn about the treatment you required (and may continue to require in the future). That way, when we approach the liable party for compensation, we request a sum that reflects your hardships.

Emotional Trauma

The law allows you to seek financial recovery if the sexual abuse resulted in mental health complications, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Fear
• Sleep issues
• Suicidal ideation

You may ask: “How could my lawyer put a value on mental health problems?” Emotional distress is considered a “non-economic damage,” meaning that it doesn’t have a concrete dollar value. We consult with mental health professionals and learn your story to determine what you’re owed for this expense. The state does not cap how much you can seek for mental trauma, so this could comprise a significant portion of your claim.

Lost Income

Emotional trauma or physical injuries could cause you to miss work while you recover. Because of this, you could lose income. Through a civil claim, you could recover compensation for the income you lost while recovering from the incident.

If the sexual abuse impedes your earning power, you could also include diminished earning capacity in your claim. We can explore recovering this expense when you connect with our firm serving Augusta.

Various Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Your losses aren’t limited to your physical and emotional challenges following sexual abuse.

You may have spent money out of pocket for certain items and expenses, such as:

• Relocating. You may have moved residences to distance yourself from the perpetrator. Your case could account for the cost of moving fees, a security deposit, and other expenses.
• Legal measures. You may have filed a protective order against the perpetrator. The local court system may have charged filing fees to approve the order.

You may have other recoverable expenses than those listed here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse Cases in Augusta

We want you to have all the answers you need to feel comfortable partnering with us. If you have any specific questions regarding your circumstances, feel free to give us a call.

What Constitutes Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is any sexual activity that happens without consent. This can extend to non-consensual kissing, touching, or other forms of sexual activity. Sexual abuse can happen as an isolated incident, or it could happen over time.

Who Can I Sue After Surviving Sexual Abuse?

Who you can sue following sexual abuse largely depends on your situation. For instance, imagine a situation where someone sustains sexual abuse at the hands of an educator. In that instance, the survivor could sue the perpetrator for the abuse and the institution for allowing the abuse to happen.

You don’t have to sort out issues of liability during your case’s progression. That’s our job. We can determine the liable party in your case and take action against them.

How Much Can I Recover Following Sexual Abuse?

How much you can recover for your losses, again, depends on your situation. Our lawyers can consider various elements of your case to determine what you need. We want you to recover everything you need to start rebuilding your life.

What Can I Expect During My No-Obligation Case Evaluation?

When you call our team for a free case review, you can learn more about the benefits of partnering with our sexual abuse lawyers in Augusta. You can also ask questions about your options and learn your next steps. Remember: everything you share with us is confidential. Nobody has to know you called unless you tell them.

Does It Matter How Long Ago the Sexual Abuse Happened?

State law outlines how long you have to file a lawsuit after surviving sexual assault. There are many factors that determine your filing period, including how old you were when the incident happened. Our team can evaluate your situation and abide by all filing deadlines. We intend to protect your right to compensation through any means necessary.

What Should I Do After Enduring Sexual Abuse?

Surviving sexual abuse can make you feel powerless, and we aim to return that power. Your next steps depend on whatever you’re comfortable doing. While not necessary, the following considerations could promote smooth legal proceedings. Some recommendations include:

Ensuring Your Own Safety

Your safety is paramount at a time like this. If you’re in immediate danger, we recommend calling 911 and notifying law enforcement of your concerns. If not, you may consider changing residences or cutting off contact with the perpetrator, if possible. Our team can implement legal measures (such as protective orders) to prevent the other party from contacting you.

Seeking Support

There are many organizations in the Augusta area that offer support to sexual abuse survivors.

Some of these organizations include:

• Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault
• The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
• Piedmont Augusta

You could also connect with support systems through your social media networks.

Considering Your Legal Options

You have legal options in the aftermath of enduring sexual abuse. Our lawyers can handle your civil case from beginning to end. We can identify the liable party, calculate your losses, and investigate your case. While we manage your case, you can focus on healing.

We Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Augusta

We advocate for survivors of sexual abuse after enduring:

Verbal Sexual Abuse

Verbal sexual abuse is any spoken or written words that express or imply sexual content. This type of abuse is common and can happen in any setting.

Examples include:

• Sexual jokes
• Describing something sexually
• Comments about someone’s physical development
• Sending text messages that are sexual in nature
• Making sexual innuendoes

Verbal sexual abuse can result in long-term mental health complications. It’s also a power dynamic in some unhealthy relationships.

Covert Sexual Abuse

Covert sexual abuse is when someone performs acts without another party’s knowledge, such as:

• Taking pictures without someone’s knowledge
• Following someone
• Stalking someone on social media with harmful intent
• Cyber harassing someone in a sexual manner

We can investigate your circumstances and find evidence to support your case.

Visual Sexual Abuse

Visual sexual abuse is when someone exposes another to sexually explicit content, either in the form of photos, drawings, or videos.

Types of visual sexual abuse could include:

• Showing pictures or videos of someone naked or performing a sexual act
• Performing sexual acts in front of other people who have not consented
• Flashing private parts to someone without their consent

Physical Sexual Abuse

Physical sexual abuse is when someone sexually touches someone else without their consent. This type of abuse can cause physical injuries and significant emotional harm.

Types of physical sexual abuse could include but are not limited to:

• Non-consensual touching
• Fondling
• Intercourse
• Tickling
• Kissing
• Penetrative sex

If someone performs any of these actions on you without your consent, you could file a sexual abuse claim against them. This claim can hold them accountable for their actions, and you can recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Contact an Augusta Sexual Abuse Attorney Today

If you survived sexual abuse, contact The Hawk Firm in Augusta today. Our team can handle the case with the utmost care. We understand these sensitive matters and want to ensure you feel comfortable during your case’s progression. Reach out to an Augusta personal injury lawyer.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Dial (706) 429-5529 to get started.

Client Testimonials

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Star Review

“Best Law Firm in the CSRA! Thank you Hawk Firm for handling all of my legal needs with outstanding professionalism! Highly recommend The Hawk Firm to anyone in need of legal services!” -Rob W.