If you or your child is a survivor of sexual abuse, you deserve justice as well as all of the financial compensation available to you under the law. At Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer, we stand with survivors across Washington State and fight to hold abusers as well as the institutions that enabled them fully liable.
With more than 30 years of experience and over $1 billion recovered for clients, our Tacoma child sexual abuse attorneys understand both the legal and emotional complexity of these cases. We will provide the strength and discretion needed to navigate the process while protecting your privacy and dignity throughout.
Contact our law offices today at (253) 264-0225 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
How Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Tacoma, WA
Child sexual abuse cases require both compassion and tenacity. Survivors often face powerful institutions, like schools, churches, and youth organizations, that have the resources to fight claims aggressively. Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyers has a stellar track record of success against entities just like these and will work hard to maximize the value of your claim from the start.
When you hire our Tacoma sexual abuse lawyers, we will:
- Investigate every aspect of your claim and identify all responsible parties
- Collect and preserve supporting evidence, including internal records and witness testimony
- Work with trauma experts and psychologists to build a compelling case
- Handle all communications with opposing attorneys and insurance carriers
- File your lawsuit and pursue full compensation through settlement or trial
We understand how difficult it can be to come forward. Our goal is to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing and reclaiming your life. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Tacoma, WA, today for a free consultation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Child Sexual Abuse in Tacoma?
Many child sexual abuse cases involve not only the abuser but also the organizations or institutions that failed to prevent or report the abuse.
Under Washington law, multiple parties can be held accountable, including:
- Schools
- Universities
- Churches
- Sports leagues
- Youth organizations
- Daycare centers
- Camps
- Religious organizations
- After-school programs
- Healthcare providers
- Foster care agencies
When these entities ignore warning signs or otherwise behave negligently (carelessly), they may share legal responsibility for the harm caused. Our Tacoma personal injury lawyers have extensive experience uncovering evidence of institutional negligence and will work tirelessly on your behalf throughout the legal process.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Survivors in a Tacoma Child Sexual Abuse Case?
The physical and emotional toll of sexual abuse can last a lifetime. Through a civil lawsuit, survivors may seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Therapy costs
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
With only extremely limited exceptions that are authorized by state statute, punitive damages are not available in Washington State personal injury cases.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
It’s important to understand the difference between criminal and civil cases involving child sexual abuse. A criminal case is brought by the state to punish the offender for violating the law, which can lead to imprisonment.
A civil case, on the other hand, is filed by the survivor to recover financial compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. These two cases can happen at the same time or separately. However, survivors can still succeed in civil court no matter how the criminal case is resolved, because the burden of proof is lower.
What Is Washington State’s Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?
Washington has some of the most survivor-friendly laws in the country regarding time limits for filing a lawsuit, though it depends in part on when the abuse took place. Under RCW 4.16.340, survivors of childhood sexual abuse that took place before June 6, 2024, can bring a civil claim within three years of the act or within three years of realizing that the abuse caused their injuries, whichever is later.
However, if the abuse took place after that date, there is no deadline, meaning you can bring legal action at any time. Still, it is best to get legal help as soon as possible so that you can ensure your claim is filed on time and that evidence can be preserved.
Contact a Tacoma Child Sexual Abuse Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has suffered sexual abuse in Tacoma or elsewhere in Washington, you don’t have to face the process by yourself. The law provides powerful tools for survivors to seek justice, potentially no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, and Darrel Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer can help you utilize them.
Call us today to speak privately with an experienced Tacoma child sexual abuse lawyer. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.