If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted in Detroit – or if you have suffered sexual abuse or violence – an experienced sexual assault lawyer can help you sue the perpetrator as well as any other responsible parties for compensation for your pain and suffering as well as for money damages resulting from your injuries.
A skilled attorney will guide you through every step of your lawsuit, ensuring your rights are protected. Beyond the legal process, an attorney will also offer compassionate guidance and resources to help you navigate the emotional and practical challenges of pursuing justice.
How can an attorney help me sue?
A lawyer will help you by providing the following services to you:
- Evaluating the facts
- Preserving critical evidence including medical records, witness statements, and other documentation
- Identifying responsible parties which may include both the perpetrator and any institutions that were negligent, such as schools, employers, or hospitals
- Filing your case on time
- Guiding you through negotiations, settlements, and, if necessary, trial
- Fighting to secure compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, and emotional trauma
- Demanding that the perpetrator and other responsible parties be held fully accountable for your injuries and the harm they caused you
How do I file a lawsuit?
The first step to filing a sexual assault lawsuit is seeking the help of an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Timing is crucial because evidence can fade, witnesses may move or forget details, and institutions may lose key records. Your lawyer will help gather and preserve the critical evidence – including medical records, police reports, school or employment records, and witness statements – that you need to prove your case.
Next, your attorney will draft and file a formal complaint in the appropriate court and ensure that all defendants are properly served.
From there, your lawyer will guide you through negotiations, discovery, motions, and, if necessary, trial, all while protecting your rights and fighting to secure justice and compensation.
With a dedicated legal team on your side, you gain skilled advocates who are focused on protecting your rights, holding wrongdoers accountable, and helping you recover.
How long do I have to sue?
Michigan’s sexual assault statute of limitations gives the survivors of criminal sexual violence and abuse 10 years from the date of their assault to file a civil lawsuit for pain and suffering compensation as well as other noneconomic and economic money damages.
For survivors who were minors at the time they were assaulted, they have until either of the follow events occur (whichever is later) to file their lawsuit:
- They reach the age of 28 years; or
- 3 years after discovering their injury and its causal relationship to the criminal sexual conduct
It’s important to act promptly, because evidence can degrade over time and legal deadlines can be complex.
The experienced attorneys at Michigan Sexual Assault Lawyers can review your case, explain your deadlines, and help ensure you take the necessary steps to protect your rights and pursue justice.
