Delaware Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims at School

Schools at all levels have a duty to look after the safety of their students. When they fail to live up to this duty by exposing students to abusive faculty and staff, devastating harm can occur.

If your child was the victim of sexual abuse at school, you may be able file a lawsuit seeking justice for damages they incurred. Furthermore, if you are an adult who realized you were sexually abused when you were in school, you may still be able to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Our legal team can help build your case and fight for the payment you are owed.

Seek guidance and support from our experienced attorneys for sexual abuse victims at school by calling The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 for a free review of your potential lawsuit.

Filing a Lawsuit Against a School Staff Member for Sexual Abuse in Delaware

If you or your child was sexually abused by a staff member at school, then the at-fault party must be held accountable. You will likely be able to file a lawsuit directly against the staff member who committed the abusive acts.

It can be difficult to come forward against a staff member at a school you attended. Especially for children, the process for naming their abusers can be a challenging and traumatic experience. Fortunately, potential plaintiffs can reach out to our attorneys for sexual abuse victims for help navigating their paths to recovery. We can ensure that victims’ rights are protected and will fight to prevent abusers from escaping the consequences of their despicable actions.

Filing a Lawsuit Against a School for Sexual Abuse in Delaware

Additionally, if you or your child were sexually abused at school, you may be able to sue the institution as well as the individual abuser. Your ability to sue a school for sexual abuse will depend on the totality of circumstances surrounding your case.

If your school acted negligently in hiring a potentially abusive staff member, then you may be able to sue the school for damages caused by your abuse. For example, imagine that a staff member was previously let go from a job because they were reported for sexual abuse. If your school subsequently hired that person and they committed abusive acts against you, then you may be able to file a lawsuit against your school seeking payment for the harm you endured.

Furthermore, you may be able to sue your school for sexual abuse if they failed to properly investigate a report of sexual abuse. For instance, if you reported abuse and your school did not thoroughly look into the matter or notify the appropriate authorities, then they may be held responsible for the damages you sustained.

How Long Do You Have to Sue for Sexual Abuse at School in Delaware?

The time limit for filing a lawsuit for sexual abuse at school can differ depending on the circumstances of the case at issue. The deadline to file most personal injury lawsuits in Delaware is two years from the date the injury occurred. Accordingly, if you are an adult who suffered sexual abuse at school, you may only have two years from the date the abuse occurred to file your case.

However, different limitations apply to cases involving minors who were abused at school. In 2007, the state of Delaware set forth a specific exception to the statute of limitations for children under 18 years old who were sexually abused by adults. If a minor was abused at school at any point after the year 2007, they will have an unlimited amount of time to file their case. Unfortunately, if you were the victim of abuse at school before 2007, then you will be unable to file a lawsuit under the current law.

Even if you have an unlimited amount of time to file your case, you should still seek legal representation as soon as you can. As time passes, crucial evidence needed to support your claim can become difficult to collect and preserve. For example, witnesses who noticed signs of abuse may forget important details regarding what they say. Furthermore, important documents can become lost and physical evidence can deteriorate. The sooner you get in touch with our law firm, the more effectively we can gather the information we need to win your case.

Damages Available to Victims of Sexual Abuse at School in Delaware

There are several forms of compensation that you may pursue if you or your child were sexually abused at school. First, if there was physical harm caused by the abuse, then you may obtain payment for any medical expenses you incurred. These damages are typically established using a victim’s medical records and bills.

However, most of the damages caused by sexual abuse will stem from victims’ physical pain and emotional suffering. Fortunately, compensation for these non-economic damages may be recovered. However, establishing these damages can be a complicated process. Expert witness testimony is often necessary to demonstrate the overall impact an instance of abuse can have on a plaintiff’s life.

Potential Signs of Sexual Abuse in Delaware

There are many signs you can look for that potentially indicated someone has suffered a form of sexual abuse. For instance, there may be physical signs such as dramatic changes in weight or a loss of appetite. Abuse victims may also begin to dress differently or develop various issues with their body image.

There are also several behavioral signs to look out for. Abuse victims may seek to isolate or withdraw themselves from social events. Furthermore, they may avoid certain places or individuals. Dramatic mood swings may also be an indication that someone was abused.

Lastly, in severe cases, victims may resort to self-harm or thoughts of self-harm. They also may refuse to be touched by others. If your loved one has exhibited signs of sexual abuse, you should attempt to discuss the situation with them.

Victims of Sexual Abuse at School in Delaware Can Call Our Law Firm for Support

Get help from our experienced lawyers for sexual abuse victims at school by calling The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586.