Social workers often serve in positions of deep trust. They support children, families, individuals with disabilities, and people facing a variety of crises. When a social worker exploits that trust for sexual purposes, the harm can be devastating. Survivors may feel confused, ashamed, or unsure whether what happened was even “allowed,” especially when the abuse occurred during ongoing counseling or support.
Sexual abuse by social workers is never justified, and Phillips Law Group is focused on holding these professionals accountable. The power imbalance alone makes meaningful consent impossible in many of these situations. Reach out today to learn how a skilled sexual abuse attorney can help.
A social worker who commits sexual abuse can be held personally liable in a civil lawsuit. Survivors may pursue claims based on assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or professional misconduct. Even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction, a civil case can still move forward under a lower burden of proof.
Accountability may also extend beyond the individual perpetrator. Government agencies and private nonprofits that employ or contract with the social worker may be legally responsible if their negligence contributed to the abuse.
In some cases, organizations attempt to shield themselves by characterizing the misconduct as a purely personal act. However, if the abuse occurred at the hands of an employee or it was directly related to the organization’s negligence, they could be liable in a social worker sexual abuse claim.
The amount of time you have to file a civil sexual abuse claim depends heavily on the state where the abuse occurred. Statutes of limitations vary dramatically across the country. Some states have extended or eliminated time limits for certain types of sexual abuse claims, particularly those involving minors. Others maintain strict filing deadlines that begin running when the abuse occurred or when it was discovered.
Because these laws change frequently and differ from one state to another, it is critical to speak with an attorney before you file a lawsuit. Phillips Law Group can answer your questions about the deadline for a social worker sexual abuse lawsuit.
A civil lawsuit cannot undo what happened in the aftermath of sexual abuse. However, a financial settlement could compensate you for your physical, financial, and emotional losses. Some common types of damages in these cases include:
Survivors may recover compensation for past and future medical expenses related to the abuse. This can include a variety of medical care, including hospitalization, surgery, or therapy. Many survivors require ongoing counseling for years, the cost of which could be included in your claim.
Sexual abuse can interfere with a survivor’s ability to work or pursue career opportunities. Others experience long-term disruptions in their earning capacity. Compensation may include both past lost income and diminished future earnings when the abuse affects career progression.
Pain and suffering damages recognize the profound emotional toll of sexual abuse. It isn’t possible to objectively measure things like emotional distress or physical suffering, but our attorneys can seek compensation for both.
If you are the survivor of sexual abuse by social workers, it is crucial that you speak to an attorney right away. You might be entitled to financial compensation, and a lawsuit could provide you with a measure of justice as well. Instead of tackling this challenge on your own, let Phillips Law Group help you get the best possible outcome.
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