Sexual Assault

Sex Abuse Lawyers in Houston

Have You or a Loved One Suffered from Sexual Assault? Our Firm Is Here to Help.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you may be facing a double injustice. The physical and psychological wounds you have suffered from the attack may never fully heal, and while your attacker may have to answer to criminal charges, this will not compensate you for the medical treatment, counseling, and emotional scars you may bear for years to come.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our Houston sex abuse lawyers believe that sexual assault victims are entitled to strong, dedicated legal representation.

Our firm is ready to stand by your side throughout every step of the process, helping you fight for the fair and adequate compensation you so rightfully deserve. Please do not hesitate to call us for a free consultation about how we can help.

Get in touch with our firm at (713) 496-0549 to schedule your free consultation. We accept weekend and evening appointments and speak Spanish to accommodate our diverse clientele. Habla Espanol.

Compassionate Advocates for Sex Abuse Victims

Oftentimes, the most vulnerable individuals in our communities are the ones who suffer sexual abuse. Tragically, children, adults with disabilities, and seniors are some of the most common victims of these atrocities. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual trauma, you need an advocate that understands the devastating, often lifelong impact of this form of abuse.

Contact our Houston sex abuse lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation. We can help you understand your rights, providing you with the superior legal representation you deserve.

Let us be your voice and your champion. No person should have to endure the lifetime of trauma that sexual abuse can inflict without receiving compensation to aid in your recovery.

Holding Liable Parties Responsible for Sexual Abuse and Assault

In sexual abuse cases, there may be multiple parties that should be held liable. Not only can a civil lawsuit be brought against an individual perpetrator but also against a third-party whose negligence or wrongdoing may have allowed the abuse to occur.

Sadly, sexual abuse can happen almost anywhere, and particularly in the case of children is often committed by someone the victim trusts or is in a position of authority.

Common places where sexual abuse can occur:

Primary and secondary schools
High school campuses
Colleges, universities, and other institutions
Places of employment
Child care facilities
Nursing homes
Hospitals
Churches
Hotels
Drug and rehabilitation centers
Parks and other places of recreation
Parking garages

Property Owners Have a Responsibility to Protect You

Sexual assault injury cases are often premises liability cases. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure that parking lots, ramps, stairwells, and other out-of-the-way places on their property are adequately lit and secured to prevent violent attacks. If you were injured under these circumstances, it is your right to pursue a personal injury claim. When a property owner fails to provide a reasonably safe premises resulting in harm to you or a loved one, they may be responsible for damages related to your injuries. It is imperative to discuss your case with an experienced Houston sex abuse lawyer as soon as possible to determine your legal options and your ability to recover against a negligent property owner.

The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse

One of the most egregious forms of sexual abuse is when it is perpetrated against a child. In all sexual assault cases, there may be criminal and civil liability. Depending on the situation, the person or persons who committed the act, as well as any negligent third parties, may be held liable for damages. Unfortunately, many victims of sexual abuse and assault never come forward. According to the Children’s Assessment Center, The Advocacy Center for Houston and Harris County (CAC Houston), the true scope of the problem remains unknown as professionals fear that many victims of childhood sexual abuse “do not disclose or report their abuse.” Researchers believe that the prevalence of child sexual abuse could be as high as 35 percent. As many as 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men report experiencing sexual abuse prior to adulthood.

Sexual Abuse on College Campuses

The number of sexual assaults that occur on college campuses and universities is staggering. Despite numerous studies about the widespread problem and complete failure to protect students and staff, the unsettling trend continues. Men and women at Texas institutions and schools throughout the country continue to be the victims of horrific sexual trauma. Statistics of sexual abuse at colleges and universities:

Of the female undergraduate students surveyed at the University of Texas at Austin, fifteen percent reported that they had been raped. (The Dallas Morning News)

Female college students between the ages of 18 and 24 are three times more likely than all women to experience sexual violence. (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - RAINN)

Thirteen percent of undergraduate and graduate student rapes and sexual assaults are done through the use of “physical force, violence, or incapacitation.” (RAINN)

Instances of sexual assaults on college campuses are not only under-reported by victims but may also be under-reported by the institution, including 30 instances of rape that went unreported by Texas State University in 2016 and 2017. (The Texas Tribune)

Sexual Abuse Perpetrated by People in Power

Sexual assault and abuse can occur anywhere by anyone. Too often, people in trusted positions of power abuse their authority and commit unthinkable acts against those they should protect. When predators carry out these offenses, they and any other negligent parties must be held accountable. Sexual abuse can be committed by anyone, but people in positions of power often prey on unsuspecting individuals. Examples of authority figures that may perpetrate these acts include:

Members of the clergy
Employers
Teachers
Coaches
Doctors or other medical professionals
Family members
Camp counselors
Caregivers
Childcare providers

The Devastating Impact of Sexual Abuse

Many survivors of sexual abuse or assault never completely heal from the trauma. It can take years of counseling to even begin to feel comfortable in your own skin. Therapy can be expensive but may be essential to helping you cope with what has happened. Bringing a lawsuit may help you recover some of the costs associated with the assault. Damages resulting from sexual abuse can include but are not limited to:

Medical expenses
Costs related to therapy and counseling
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering

According to RAINN, 94 percent of women rape survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and thirteen percent of women who are raped attempt suicide. If you have lost a loved one who was the victim of sexual trauma, you might be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim.

How an Attorney Can Help

Sexual assault is something that no man, woman, or child should ever have to live through, but the reality is that millions of people have experienced some form of sexual abuse or trauma in their lifetime. The vast majority of sexual assault survivors never report the crime. Our Houston sex abuse lawyers hope to give survivors a voice, championing their rights and their recovery in court and beyond. Predators must be held accountable, and institutions that allow these obscenities to occur must be brought to justice. As your legal representative, we can help bring a claim for damages against all responsible parties, always pushing for the maximum compensation allowed in your case. Call our office at (713) 496-0549 to speak directly with a knowledgeable Houston sex abuse attorney today. We are devoted to giving sexual assault victims a voice and will help you come forward with your story of survival.

Billions of Dollars Obtained on Behalf of Our Clients

100% Free Consultation

More Than a Century of Collective Trial Experience

Our Houston sex abuse attorneys have decades of trial experience and have developed a reputation for excellence among our peers and clients.

Attorney Erin K. Copeland is a partner with Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs. Throughout her legal career, she has remained a dedicated advocate for those who have experienced sexual trauma. She proudly serves on the American Association for Justice Board of Governors and has recovered hundreds of millions on behalf of injury victims.

You can learn more about our successful cases here and how we can help you fight for fair compensation. We seek out and open every avenue to help you get the monetary damages you are entitled to.

Get the Justice and Recovery You Deserve: Contact Our Firm

We are here to help ensure that you receive the justice you deserve after suffering a sexual assault. Contact our offices in Houston, Texas to consult with our sex abuse lawyers. Our consultations are free, completely confidential, and no-obligation. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing unless we recover monetary damages in your case.

Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs at (713) 496-0549 or by sending us a message online.