Daytona Beach, Florida: Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse of children is among the worst type of offense imaginable. Justice can never be complete for the child victims of sexual abuse, but our legal system at least requires an offender to answer to the criminal justice system and to financially compensate the victim.
In addition to a criminal action, a child abuser may be made to face his or her actions in civil court, via a lawsuit for damages due to sexual assault.
Experienced and Compassionate Attorney for Child Sexual Abuse Cases
Attorney James W. Ledford, P.A., of Daytona Beach, has successfully represented more than 25 childhood victims of sexual assault or molestation — helping the children and their families find some measure of peace by using the civil legal system require the abuser to make financial amends for the lifelong harm caused.
Child Sexual Abuse Case: $500,000 Settlement
We recently achieved a $500,000 settlement on behalf of a young boy for whom the sexual abuse began when his father remarried. His family eventually discovered that the boy’s new step-brother was sexually molesting the child.
Since opening our doors in 1983, our law firm has delivered high-quality legal services to our clients in the Daytona Beach area.
Using Civil Lawsuits to Stop Sexual Predators
Sexual abuse may be perpetrated by clergy, teachers, day care centers, doctors, scouting leaders, babysitters, or family or friends. When a trusted adult takes advantage of a child, the effects on the child can be disastrous. The sexual abuse itself combined with the fact that it is performed by someone in an authority position over children can cause a lack of trust in our institutions by the victims that can last a lifetime.
Sexual predators often have familiar patterns of abusing children for years. They may even have been re-hired into positions of authority because the employer failed to properly research the employee's past. Employers may be held legally responsible for harm caused by their employees if the employer knew or should have known that the employee was a sexual predator or otherwise dangerous.
Sexual Predators Must Be Stopped
If you suspect that someone is sexually abusing your child or another child who you know, you should immediately seek legal advice from a knowledgeable lawyer. Both the criminal and civil proceedings should go forward carefully, with the first goal being the safety of the child in question.
If you have questions about civil sexual abuse lawsuits, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a free consultation with attorney Jim Ledford. We can begin to answer your questions and give you guidance on how to proceed. or send us an e-mail.
Before your appointment, we invite you to print out and complete the information in our Case Evaluation Form for Sexual Abuse of Children.
