Alaska Sexual Abuse Claims: Damages for Emotional Losses
Sexual abuse is a horrific crime, and it may also be grounds for a civil lawsuit in which a victim can recover damages. However, this type of case is different from other personal injury matters due to the emotional impacts of sexual trauma, which are typically more intense than a common car accident. Medical professionals at the Mayo Clinic report that the effects of sexual abuse may include a lost sense of self, problems dealing with emotions, depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder.
Fortunately, you can recover damages for emotional losses if you were a victim of sexual abuse or assault. There are two categories of compensation in these claims, which also cover physical and financial losses. You should discuss the process with an Anchorage sexual abuse lawyer, who will assist you with pursuing all at-fault parties.
Two Types of Damages for Emotional Losses
Sexual abuse is a type of personal injury case, so the compensation available for victims includes:
- Economic Damages: There are financial losses you suffer when injured, primarily due to medical bills. Many sexual assault and abuse victims will require intense treatment from psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals. You can seek economic damages for these medical care costs.
Other forms of compensation in this category include lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses, which you can seek through a sexual abuse claim.
- Noneconomic Damages: This class aims to compensate you for losses that are not quantifiable in dollar value, though you still sustain significant hardship. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and related consequences. Many victims suffer the emotional trauma of sexual assault and abuse, so they can seek this type of compensation.
There is another category termed punitive or exemplary damages, and you might be able to pursue this type in certain extreme cases. In Alaska, punitive damages are reserved for situations where the defendant’s acts were outrageous, malicious, or demonstrated reckless indifference to the interests of another person.
Potential Parties in Sexual Abuse Cases
The key at-fault party in these claims is the person who committed the wrongdoing, so you might not realize that you can seek compensation from other parties in some cases. For instance, an employer’s negligence could contribute to an act of sexual assault by an employee if the company did not conduct background checks.
Another example is where a negligent property owner fails to install cameras and security measures at a location prone to criminal activity. Property owners have a duty to prevent foreseeable hazards.
Contact an Alaska Sexual Abuse Attorney to Learn More
Because the emotional consequences can be so severe, it is comforting to know that Alaska law allows you to seek damages as the victim of sexual abuse. Our team at Power & Power Law is experienced in these cases, so we are prepared to fight for all the compensation you deserve by law. Please contact our offices in Anchorage, AK, today to set up a no-cost case evaluation. You can call 907-222-9990 or visit us online to speak to an Alaska sexual abuse lawyer.