Child Sexual Abuse
As parents, we provide security, safety, and protection to our children to the best of our ability. It is both an essential need and an innate desire. Unfortunately, even when proper parenting measures are taken to safeguard our loved ones from the dangers of society, our children are at risk. Rarely can we predict the criminal conduct that may cause harm to our children. Even when provided with the assurance that we are entrusting our children’s care with morally and ethically responsible individuals, there can be unexpected consequences.
Daycare providers, school faculty, churches, youth organizations for the betterment of children, and other entities are being legally scrutinized for perpetuating child sexual abuse. While providing legal representation to parents whose children have been victimized by sexual predators, the legal team at Alba & Straile PLLC always reminds parents that it is neither their fault nor the child’s fault.
Although many of us, as parents, would like to insulate our children to safeguard them from potential dangers, we all know that this is neither realistic nor possible. Having children of our own, the attorneys at Alba & Straile PLLC can sympathize with our clients. It is a heartbreaking discovery to learn that a child was the victim of sexual abuse. While we cannot erase, from the minds of the children, the events that have occurred, we can do what is within our power to seek justice on behalf of the children.
Just a few of the Types of Child Sexual Abuse Cases that we represent are Claims against:
- Daycares
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Individual perpetrators and abusers
- Government entities
- Law enforcement organizations
- Probation supervision entities
- Businesses
- Religious institutions
Typically, there are two types of liability claims in child sexual abuse actions that may be filed. The first is against the perpetrator of the abuse. The second type is against the property owner, business owner, or organization that failed to safeguard a child while having a duty to do so. In the latter scenario, claims may involve negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent entrustment, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and other related negligence claims.
Civil and Criminal Consequences for Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse
In addition to seeking compensation through civil actions, victims of child sexual abuse may have other remedies available. For example, the court may award restitution to the victim of a criminal action involving the abuse of a child. Florida also has state-funded compensatory sources for victims harmed by the criminal actions of another.
Compensation for Recovery
Victims of sexual abuse may struggle with mental and emotional issues for many years following such abuse. By taking action through seeking compensation for a child in a negligence claim, a financial source can be made available to provide the child with treatment for psychological injuries. Parents and caretakers can take legal action against the parties who directly or indirectly contributed to the abuse. In addition, recovery may be available for damages caused by the overall ill effects on the victim’s quality of life, which therapy may never properly remedy or address.
Apart from an award of monetary damages, seeking justice on behalf of a child serves other purposes as well. As an immediate concern, it can aid in the prevention of future incidents by the same individual(s) or organization. In addition, however, and perhaps more importantly, proactive efforts in seeking justice can promote general awareness of issues involving child sexual abuse.
Aggressive Legal Representation for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse
If a sexual predator victimizes your child, the child sexual abuse attorneys of Alba & Strail PLLC urge you to seek legal guidance to safeguard the child’s legal rights. Our legal team is experienced in personal injury and criminal law. We are aggressive yet compassionate in fighting to protect the rights of children. Our goal is to hold culpable all the responsible persons and entities, seek compensation, and file for restraining orders and custody modifications if necessary. The unique facts of each case affect our strategies in pursuing justice.
Our Florida child sexual abuse attorneys can provide you with the sound legal representation necessary to effectively and efficiently protect your children. We represent clients throughout Florida. Contact Alba & Straile PLLC at (352) 371-9141 to schedule a consultation.