New York City Sexual Assault Lawyer

New York City Sexual Assault Lawyer

Sexual assault is a horrific and indefensible act. Victims face physical injuries and potentially life-long emotional and psychological consequences. If you have been assaulted in New York City, NY, you are entitled to seek compensation from the perpetrator and negligent third parties. 

A civil lawsuit may not erase the scars you will endure, but it can help you get the care you deserve. Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. has represented assault victims for decades. Call our law office at (212) 514-5007 for a free consultation with a compassionate New York City sexual assault lawyer. 

We will take over the fight while you focus on your recovery.

How Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. Can Help You After a Sexual Assault in New York

How Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. Can Help You After a Sexual Assault in New York

As the victim of assault, you may be hesitant to pursue criminal charges against your attacker. What’s more, law enforcement may decline to pursue such charges. Still, you most likely want justice. You can pursue a civil claim against your attacker or a negligent third party for your financial and emotional losses after a sexual assault.  A New York City personal injury lawyer can help.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. has represented victims in New York City, New York, for over 20 years. We are committed to giving you the personal attention and compassion you need during this difficult time.

You can count on our law firm to:

  • Provide support, guidance, and legal advice to help you make informed decisions about your case
  • Investigate the circumstances of your attack to determine if any third parties can be held liable
  • Use expert testimony to document the full extent of your damages and strengthen your case
  • Negotiate on your behalf to seek a fair settlement or take your case to trial

As the victim of a senseless assault, you should not be burdened with the high costs of seeking the care you need. Contact our law office today for a free consultation with a New York sexual assault lawyer to discuss how we can help you.

How Common is Sexual Assault in New York City?

Between March 20 and April 4, 2021, New York City experienced a 332% surge in the number of reported sexual assaults from the year before. Week over week, sexual assaults were up 94% in the city. 

Between January 1 and April 4, 2021, there were 174 rapes reported in New York City. Only 14 were committed by strangers, and 160 were committed by acquaintances. This includes people the victim may have just met shortly before their assault.

In 2020, there were 1,427 reported rapes in New York City, including:

  • Bronx: 327 sexual assaults
  • Brooklyn: 465
  • Manhattan: 274
  • Queens: 309
  • Staten Island: 51

The number of sexual assaults is expected to climb dramatically throughout 2021 due to lessening COVID-19 restrictions. 

What is Sexual Assault in New York?

Sex crimes are treated very seriously under New York law. Sexual assault is any sexual intercourse without consent. It can be charged in three degrees. The degree depends on the age of the victim, the reason for incapacity to consent, and whether force was used

These laws criminalize illegal sexual contact, child sexual abuse, and sexual assault. However, the criminal justice system only addresses criminal penalties for crime. It does not compensate victims. 

However, victims of sexual abuse are entitled to seek damages for their injuries through a civil claim.

Can I File a Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Assault in New York City, NY?

Sexual violence is not simply a criminal matter in New York. Victims of sexual assault are entitled to pursue a civil claim against their attacker and any other parties whose negligence contributed to their assault.

Sexual assault falls under New York’s intentional tort law. An intentional tort is a purposeful wrongful harm, like battery and assault.

A civil lawsuit allows you to seek financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained. Although it cannot erase the trauma you have endured, it can alleviate the financial burdens of your injuries. It can also ensure you receive the medical care, therapy, and other care you need. You may also seek some level of justice in pursuing a civil claim.

Sexual assault victims are entitled to seek damages through a civil lawsuit, even if their attacker is not arrested, charged, or convicted. Moreover, the civil court system requires a lower standard of proof than criminal court.

Third-Party Liability for Sexual Assault in New York City

You may have a sexual assault claim against parties other than your attacker. In other words, you may have a case against third parties whose negligence caused your attack—even if your attacker is never found,

These third-party cases generally fall under premises liability law and negligent security. For example, businesses and organizations can sometimes be held liable for the actions of their employees. Likewise, if your assault happened on someone else’s property, the property owner may be responsible for your injuries. 

These third-party claims may be filed against:

  • Bars, nightclubs, and lounges
  • Apartment buildings and housing complexes
  • Sports leagues, clubs, and recreational organizations
  • Schools, universities, and colleges
  • Workplaces
  • Businesses
  • Security companies
  • Religious organizations 

At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., our sexual abuse lawyers will determine all parties who may share liability for your assault.

What Damages Can I Seek After Sexual Assault in New York City?

A personal injury lawsuit for sexual assault allows you to seek financial compensation for the economic and non-economic losses you have endured.

Economic damages compensate for your financial losses after an injury. Non-economic losses compensate for personal, non-monetary losses due to the accident.

You may be able to recover:

You may also be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages punish a defendant for their misconduct rather than compensate a victim for their damages. These damages are rare, but they may be available in sexual assault cases.

At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we will help you seek justice and fair compensation from the at-fault parties. This compensation can’t erase your psychological, emotional, and physical harm, but it can help you move forward.

We Fight for Compensation for All the Sexual Assault Injuries You Have Suffered

The New York City sexual assault lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. are committed to seeking compensation for the full extent of the harm you have endured. We recognize that your assault goes beyond the physical injuries you sustained. 

We represent sexual assault victims who have suffered:

Contact our law office today for a free consultation with a compassionate personal injury lawyer who will fight for you.

What is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Sexual Assault in New York?

You have a limited amount of time to file a civil lawsuit after a sexual assault. The statute of limitations for intentional torts is just one year in most cases. For third-party claims involving premises liability, you generally have three years to file your case.

Victims of child sexual abuse may also be entitled to file a lawsuit for abuse, even if it occurred many years ago. New York recently extended its “look-back window” for child sexual abuse lawsuits. 

The Child Victims Act allows victims whose statute of limitations expired to bring a lawsuit against perpetrators and institutions. For future cases involving child victims, victims have until they are 55 years old to bring a claim, an increase from the previous limit of 23.

Contact a New York City Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free Consultation

A civil lawsuit may give you the sense of justice you cannot achieve through the court system. It can also help you recover the compensation you deserve for the immediate and long-term impact of your assault. 

Contact Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. today to schedule a free consultation with a New York City sexual assault lawyer. We will handle all administrative tasks and the investigation so you can focus on recovering and moving forward.


Visit Our Law Office In New York City, NY

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor, New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007

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