Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Sexual assault is one of the most serious harms a person can suffer, and the legal system offers paths to accountability for that harm that go beyond criminal prosecution. A civil claim can allow you to pursue compensation for medical expenses, therapy, lost income, and even your pain and suffering. It can also affect change in institutions and organizations whose negligence made the assault possible in the first place.
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we’ve spent decades taking on powerful defendants on behalf of people who deserved better, including sexual assault survivors. Tommy Fibich, our founding partner and a board-certified civil trial lawyer, founded this firm on the principle that no wrongdoer should escape accountability. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, we’re ready to help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation, and let one of our attorneys walk you through what a civil claim could mean for you.
When Can You File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Sexual assault is both a criminal and a civil offense, which means there are two separate legal ways to hold perpetrators accountable: criminal prosecution and civil litigation. While prosecutors decide whether to bring criminal charges, you are in control of the decision to bring a civil claim. You decide whether to file, and you stand to receive financial compensation for what you’ve been through, regardless of whether the perpetrator was ever charged or convicted criminally.
To bring a civil sexual assault lawsuit in Texas, you generally must show that another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing contributed to the harm you suffered. That party could be the perpetrator of sexual violence themselves, but it could also be an institution, employer, or organization that failed to protect you despite having the duty and the means to do so. When it comes to figuring out who is liable for sexual assault and holding them fully accountable, the right legal team can make all the difference.
It’s worth noting that Texas law sets filing deadlines for civil claims. For most adult survivors, the deadline is five years from the date of the assault. For survivors who were minors at the time, the window is typically much longer. Because these deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances, it’s worth speaking with an attorney sooner rather than later to understand where you stand.
Keep in mind that you don’t need a perfect memory of what happened to move forward. Research on the deleterious effects of trauma on memory has been accepted by courts throughout the country, and the attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are well-versed in presenting that science. Even if you didn’t report immediately, your memory has gaps, or your reaction at the time wasn’t what you think it “should” have been, you still have the right to seek justice.
Institutions and Parties That May be Liable
Who can be held liable for sexual assault?
Civil liability in sexual assault cases can extend well beyond the individual perpetrator. In many cases, an institution or organization played a role by failing to screen authority figures, ignoring complaints, or allowing dangerous conditions to persist.
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Schools and educational institutions at every level, from K-12 districts to major universities, have a legal duty to protect students from sexual misconduct. If administrators ignore complaints, fail to investigate possible abuse, or allow known predators to occupy positions of authority, the institution itself can bear responsibility. Federal law, including Title IX, provides survivors with additional avenues to seek accountability beyond civil lawsuits. If a school failed to protect you from being sexually assaulted, we can help you explore your options.
Hospitals and Medical Facilities
Patients are in an inherently vulnerable position in hospitals and other medical facilities, and those facilities have a heightened duty to protect them from unwanted sexual contact. If a doctor, nurse, or other staff member commits sexual assault, the facility that employed or credentialed that person can share responsibility. This is a distinct possibility if the facility had prior complaints on file, skipped proper background checks, or ignored red flags. A thorough civil claim can target not just the perpetrator, but also the institution that gave them access to vulnerable patients.
Rideshare Companies
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have faced sexual assault civil lawsuits across the country from passengers assaulted by their drivers, and those cases have exposed serious failures in screening and oversight. These companies often argue that drivers are independent contractors to limit their exposure, but that defense doesn’t always hold up. If a rideshare driver assaulted you, the company’s negligent hiring practices or inadequate safety policies may render it liable for any acts that occurred during the ride.
Employers and Workplaces
Sexual assault at work is a serious legal matter that goes beyond standard harassment. If a coworker, supervisor, or third party commits assault on the job, the employer can bear responsibility, especially if the company ignored prior complaints or fostered conditions that allowed the assault to occur. Texas law recognizes that employers have a duty to maintain safe working environments. When they fall short of that duty, that failure may give rise to a civil claim.
Religious Institutions
Churches and other religious organizations are not immune from civil liability. When clergy members or other religious leaders commit sexual abuse, their institutions can be liable if they knew about prior misconduct, concealed it, or failed to warn the community. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have previously filed cases against religious institutions implicated in sexual abuse. We understand the particular challenges these cases present to sexual abuse survivors, including institutional resistance and the emotional weight that survivors carry from deep personal and spiritual betrayal.
Youth Organizations and Camps
Youth sports leagues, summer camps, scouting groups, and after-school programs often place children in close contact with adult leaders. If those organizations fail to screen staff, heed warning signs, or look into reported abuse, they can be held civilly liable for sexual abuse. Perpetrators in these settings frequently use grooming tactics, which is why abuse often goes unreported for years. Our attorneys know how to build strong cases even when considerable time has passed.
Get in Touch with an Experienced Houston Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has spent decades fighting for survivors of serious harm across Texas, and we’re ready to fight for you. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients, including one seven-figure settlement in a sexual assault case. Our team will stand by you and pursue full accountability on your behalf. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We’re here to listen.