Compassionate support. Strong legal advocacy from experienced sexual assault and sexual abuse lawyers.
If you or someone you love has survived sexual assault in Louisiana, you deserve both compassionate support and strong legal advocacy. At Brandt & Sherman Injury Attorneys, our Lafayette sexual assault lawyers stand with survivors. We help you pursue justice, hold perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable, and seek the financial recovery you need to move forward.
With more than 50 years of combined experience fighting legal Goliaths, we have recovered millions for Louisiana families. Unlike billboard firms, you work directly with your attorney for personal guidance and steady, respectful communication.
Do I Have a Sexual Assault or Sexual Abuse Civil Case?
You may have a civil case if someone sexually harmed you without consent, or if an institution failed to act after warning signs, prior complaints, or known risks. A civil case is separate from a criminal case and falls under Louisiana personal injury law. Even if criminal charges were never filed, a civil claim may still be possible depending on the facts and evidence.
Many survivors reach out because they are asking practical questions like: Who can be held responsible? What evidence matters? Will I have to be in the spotlight? We can answer those questions and explain your options in a private consultation.
What Counts as Sexual Assault in Louisiana?
Sexual assault is a broad term that can include non-consensual acts such as rape, sexual battery, and other unwanted sexual contact. Sexual abuse often refers to a pattern of misconduct or situations involving a power imbalance, grooming, or abuse within trusted relationships. These acts can be prosecuted criminally, but survivors can also pursue civil accountability and compensation.
Sexual assault and abuse can occur in many settings, including:
- Workplaces
- Schools and universities
- Churches and religious organizations
- Youth programs and recreational activities
- Within families or trusted relationships
Civil cases can help survivors access financial resources for recovery and also push institutions to change unsafe practices.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
A civil sexual assault lawsuit may be filed against the perpetrator and, in many cases, against organizations that enabled abuse through
negligence or cover-ups. Depending on what happened, responsible parties may include:
- Schools, universities, and youth programs that failed to respond to reports
- Churches or religious organizations that ignored warning signs or moved offenders
- Employers that failed to address sexual harassment or assault complaints
- Property owners that failed to provide reasonable safety measures in foreseeable-risk situations
These claims are often referred to as
negligent security cases and focus on whether reasonable safety measures could have prevented the assault.
These cases are not only about money. They are about accountability and protecting others from being harmed the same way.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Every case is different, and we never promise outcomes. In civil sexual assault and sexual abuse claims, survivors may seek compensation for:
- Medical care and related expenses
- Counseling, therapy, and long-term mental health treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and PTSD-related impacts
- Safety-related costs such as relocation or security measures when needed
Punitive damages may be available in limited situations under Louisiana law, depending on the facts and the legal theory involved. In cases involving severe physical harm or permanent disability, you may also need long-term medical and life-care planning, which we address through our
catastrophic injury practice.
What to Do Next
If you are considering legal action, these steps can help protect your options:
- Seek medical care or counseling if you want support, and keep records of treatment.
- Write down what you remember in a private place, including dates, locations, and names.
- Preserve relevant messages, emails, photos, or other documentation, and avoid discussing details publicly or on social media while you explore your options.
- Speak with a sexual assault lawyer in Lafayette to understand possible next steps, including whether an institution may share responsibility.
You do not have to have everything figured out before you call. A consultation is a place to ask questions, not to be judged.
Do I Have to File a Police Report to Sue for Sexual Abuse?
No. A police report is not required to file a civil lawsuit. Reporting can create an official record, and in some situations it may support a case, but survivors can still pursue civil accountability whether or not they reported to law enforcement.
Your Privacy and Confidentiality Matter
Many survivors hesitate to speak with a sexual assault lawyer because they fear losing control over their privacy. That concern is understandable. While every case is different, Louisiana law and court procedures offer important tools to protect confidentiality in sexual abuse and sexual assault cases.
In many civil cases, attorneys can request protective measures such as sealing sensitive records, limiting public access to filings, or using initials instead of a survivor’s full name in court documents. Judges may also issue protective orders to restrict how information is shared during the case. These steps are designed to reduce unnecessary exposure while still allowing the case to move forward.
It’s important to be honest: not every detail can be kept completely private, and no lawyer can guarantee total anonymity in every situation. However, an experienced Lafayette sexual assault lawyer can explain what protections may be available in your specific case and help you make informed decisions before anything is filed.
At Brandt & Sherman, we approach sexual abuse cases with discretion, respect, and care. We discuss privacy concerns early, explain realistic options, and work to protect your dignity at every stage of the process while pursuing accountability and justice.
How Long Do SA Survivors Have to File a Civil Claim in Louisiana?
Time limits for sexual assault lawsuits in Louisiana depend on the survivor’s age, the type of abuse, and who is being sued. These rules are complex, and recent laws have expanded options for many survivors.
For adult survivors, Louisiana law provides a three-year prescriptive period for a civil action against a person for sexual assault under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3496.2, with timing rules that can vary based on when the offender is identified by law enforcement.
For child sexual abuse survivors, Louisiana law provides expanded options under La. R.S. 9:2800.9, including provisions that allow many claims to be brought without the time limits that previously barred survivors. Louisiana courts have addressed the constitutionality of the revival window, and legislative updates have extended the revival period.
Because deadlines can be complicated and vary by case type, it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as you are ready so you do not lose your right to pursue a claim.
How Brandt & Sherman Helps Survivors of Sexual Assault
Survivors deserve a legal team that is both steady and strong. We approach these cases with discretion, care, and relentless advocacy. Depending on your situation, we can help by investigating what happened, identifying every liable party, preserving evidence, working with appropriate experts when needed, and handling communication so you are not forced to manage the legal pressure alone.
We also focus on protecting your privacy as much as the legal process allows and guiding you through decisions at your pace. You will work directly with your attorney. And you pay nothing upfront. Absolutely no fees unless we win.
Talk With a Lafayette Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
You do not have to carry this alone. If you are ready to explore your legal options, Brandt & Sherman Injury Attorneys is here to help with compassionate guidance and strong advocacy.
Call
(337) 800-4000 for a
free, confidential consultation. Absolutely no fees unless we win.
