El Paso Sexual Assault Lawyer

If you or a loved one were a victim of sexual assault in El Paso, TX, our lawyers can help you get justice. You may be entitled to financial compensation from your attacker or someone who allowed the attack to take place. 

An El Paso sexual assault lawyer at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain, suffering, and distress.

Our lawyers have over 43 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We’ve helped injured clients and their families recover tens of millions of dollars over the years.

Contact our El Paso, TX law office at (915) 591-1000 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You Were a Victim of Sexual Assault in El Paso

How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You Were a Victim of Sexual Assault in El Paso

A criminal conviction can give you a sense of justice if you were sexually assaulted. However, not all rapists are convicted. Some are never even caught. Regardless of whether criminal proceedings are ongoing, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation in civil court.

That’s where our El Paso personal injury lawyers can help. At Mission Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a 99% track record of successfully recovering compensation for our clients. We’ve also been recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

When you hire us, we will:

  • Conduct a comprehensive investigation
  • Identify all parties who are legally liable for your damages
  • Hire experts who can testify about complex aspects of your case
  • Assess the value of your damages award
  • Protect you if the defense attorney accuses you of false accusations
  • Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement deal

In the aftermath of a sexual attack, you could be left struggling financially. Our El Paso personal injury attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.

How Common is Sexual Assault in Texas?

Sexual assault is shockingly common. Across the U.S., over 430,000 people aged 12 and older are sexually assaulted every year.

In 2020, Texas had the highest number of reported rape cases in the United States. 13,509 rapes were reported that year across the state.

According to the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, one out of every five Texas women has been a victim of sexual assault. Unfortunately, most people who are accused of sex crimes never spend a day in jail–and about 80% of all sexual assaults in Texas are not reported.

Overview of Texas Sexual Assault Laws

Sexual assault, or rape, is a criminal offense in the state of Texas. Your attacker will face serious prison time and register as a sex offender if they’re caught by law enforcement and convicted.

Sexual assault is also an intentional tort. As the victim, you have the right to sue for damages in civil court regardless of whether your attacker is facing criminal charges. You may have a valid personal injury case if you’ve been a victim of any type of unwanted sexual contact–regardless of whether you were raped.

Because the standard of proof is lower in civil court, you may be able to secure compensation even if your attacker is acquitted of a second-degree felony.

Your attacker can be held financially responsible for:

  • Assault, meaning that the defendant threatened you and you feared for your safety
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress
  • Battery, meaning that the defendant made unwanted harmful contact and injured you

All three of these legal issues often arise in cases involving sex offenses. If the attack occurred on someone else’s property, you may have a valid premises liability case under Texas negligent security laws.

What Facts Will Impact the Amount of My Settlement or Verdict in an El Paso Sexual Assault Case?

The value of any personal injury claim depends primarily on the types of losses the victim experiences.

Some facts that will be relevant to your case value include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The cost of your medical treatment, counseling, and other expenses
  • How the attack impacts your work and earnings
  • The identity of the responsible party
  • The nature of the defendant’s actions
  • How the attack has impacted your emotional health and well-being

Your settlement or verdict should account for the full range of losses you have suffered. You’re also entitled to compensation for anticipated future losses.

Our El Paso sexual assault attorneys are here to help you fight for every dollar you deserve. Call our law firm today so that we can get to work.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Sexual Assault in El Paso?

Sexual assault victims in Texas can pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced future earning potential
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Counseling 
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Anxiety or depression
  • PTSD and fear
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Scarring 
  • Damage to personal relationships
  • Loss of fertility
  • Loss of consortium

Your attacker can also be held liable for punitive damages if they’re caught. Texas courts award punitive damages to punish a defendant for intentional wrongdoing.

You Can Trust Our Attorneys to Fight to Recover Full Compensation for All of Your Injuries

Victims of sexual assault often suffer severe physical injuries.

At Mission Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle sexual abuse cases involving:

  • Facial injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Extreme bruising
  • Broken bones
  • Genital injuries
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Internal organ damage
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Concussions
  • Back injuries

The emotional trauma you have experienced is also significant. You deserve to be compensated for the damage to your mental health and well-being. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Damages if I Was Sexually Assaulted in El Paso, Texas?

Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. As long as you weren’t trespassing, you could have a valid claim against the owner of the property where your attack occurred.

Examples of potentially responsible parties include a:

  • College or university
  • Rental apartment complex
  • Parking garage
  • Hotel
  • Hospital or nursing home
  • Bar, restaurant, or nightclub
  • Shopping center
  • Office building

The fact that someone other than your attacker can be responsible for your damages might seem counterintuitive. After all, it’s the attacker who committed a crime. However, under Texas law, someone who could have prevented the attack might also be responsible financially.

People can always be held responsible for their own negligence. 

The elements of negligence are:

  • A legal duty of care existed
  • A breach of duty occurred
  • The breach caused some type of harm, or damages

Under Texas law, property owners who open their premises to the public have a duty to provide adequate security. In other words, businesses must take steps to prevent crimes that are reasonably foreseeable.

Businesses may be required to:

  • Install security systems 
  • Maintain working locks and deadbolts
  • Hire security guards
  • Install fences or gates
  • Provide adequate lighting
  • Respond to threats and alerts
  • Train employees to respond to violence

The types of precautions that a business must take depend on the circumstances. For example, if there is a history of violence in the neighborhood, stronger precautions will be required. The types of security required can also depend on the nature of the business itself. 

You can count on our team to gather the evidence you’ll need to establish liability. Our El Paso sex crimes lawyers have years of experience handling these types of investigations. We’re ready to get started working on your case today. 

Our El Paso Sexual Assault Attorneys Handle All Types of Sexual Abuse Cases

Our lawyers in El Paso have experience representing clients in all types of cases involving sex crimes, including:

  • Rape
  • Statutory rape
  • Child abuse
  • Child exploitation
  • Unwanted sexual contact
  • Domestic violence
  • Rape on college campuses
  • “Date rape” and the use of the drugs
  • Aggravated assault and the use of deadly weapons
  • Coercion, threats, and intimidation 

We’re here to help regardless of the circumstances of your attack. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation and get the legal advice you deserve.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After I Was Sexually Assaulted in Texas?

The statute of limitations in Texas is typically two years. You’ll have two years from the date of your attack to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. After two years pass, you forfeit your right to seek compensation. 

However, there are exceptions to this deadline, depending on the offense. 

If the attacker is charged with a sex crime, the statute of limitations will be tolled until the defendant has dealt with their criminal defense strategy.

Contact an El Paso Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free Consultation

The losses that you experience due to an attack can be far-reaching. Our lawyers at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers will do everything possible to help you recover the full financial compensation you deserve. Call today to speak with an El Paso sexual assault lawyer who can protect your legal rights.

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