In 2017, Massage Envy—a chain of massage parlors with franchises established all over the United States—came under significant public and legal scrutiny when more than 180 women reported that they had been sexually assaulted while receiving massage services at Massage Envy locations. This was part of a nationwide pattern of sexual misconduct by massage therapists toward customers. In addition, massage clinic owners often respond insufficiently to sexual assault allegations or deliberately obstruct investigations.
If you experienced sexual misconduct, you have the right to pursue legal action against your abuser in civil court. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group know how to navigate cases involving sexual abuse in spas and massage parlors. From start to finish of your case proceedings, your legal representative will work tirelessly to enforce your rights, protect your best interests, and ensure you receive the restitution you deserve for the harm you have suffered.
All customers who receive services at spas and massage parlors have the right to decline certain services, to keep certain articles of clothing on for the duration of their visit, and to end their treatment session at any time if they become uncomfortable. A massage therapist who insists on massaging intimate areas of the body, attempts to undress a customer themselves, or refuses to stop a particular treatment or allow a customer to leave has not only violated that customer’s rights but may also be criminally liable for an act of physical or sexual assault.
Importantly, it is not necessary to prove that penetrative sexual intercourse or any other specific type of sexual contact occurred in order to have grounds to sue for sexual assault inside a spa or massage clinic. Inappropriate touching, groping, and sometimes unwanted sexual comments can all potentially serve as the basis for a sexual abuse lawsuit, as a qualified attorney from Phillips Law Group can further explain during a free, no-obligation consultation.
In many situations, the managers and owners of massage parlors or spas where employees act inappropriately with customers can be held civilly liable for damages alongside the therapist who actually engaged in sexual misconduct. Sometimes, this simply entails holding an employer vicariously liable for harm their employee caused in the course of performing their job duties.
In other situations, however, massage clinics may be directly liable for failing to conduct appropriate background checks on employees, not responding quickly enough to allegations of misconduct, or failing to ensure therapists were properly supervised on the job. Naming a massage parlor as a co-defendant in this type of claim can be key to recovering fairly for the long-term effects of sexual abuse. Damages can include lost future working capacity, future medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost enjoyment of life.
In addition to being physically and psychologically traumatic, experiencing sexual assault from an esthetician or a massage therapist can be an isolating experience. It can be difficult to make a report even if you have extensive evidence to support your claim, and the large companies that own many popular massage parlors can make for intimidating opposition in civil court.
Fortunately, you have help available from legal professionals who have decades of experience fighting for justice and winning cases like yours. Call today to learn how Phillips Law Group handles lawsuits involving sexual abuse in spas and massage parlors.
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