Can I file a civil claim if there was never a criminal case, or if it didn't result in conviction?

Yes. A civil case runs independently of any criminal proceeding, and uses a lower standard of proof. Many survivors pursue civil claims specifically because the criminal system didn't produce the outcome they needed. A separate civil path remains open in those circumstances.

How much time do I have to file a civil claim?

Longer than you likely assume. Wisconsin and Illinois both extend the standard filing deadline for sexual assault claims. Cases involving assaults against minors can allow filing well into adulthood depending on the specific circumstances. Rather than assuming too much time has passed, it's worth a confidential conversation to find out where your specific situation stands.

Can I sue the institution, not just the individual who assaulted me?

In many cases, yes. If a school, employer, religious institution, healthcare facility, or similar organization knew or reasonably should have known about a risk and failed to act, that institution can bear separate civil liability. This applies alongside the individual perpetrator. These claims often carry significant evidentiary strength when a documented pattern exists.

Will my identity become public if I file a civil case?

Courts frequently allow protective measures for a survivor's identity, including the use of initials in public filings or sealed records, depending on jurisdiction and circumstances. We discuss exactly what protections apply to your specific case before anything is filed. You'll understand what to expect.

What if I don't want to go through a trial?

Most civil cases resolve through negotiated settlement rather than trial. We prepare every case thoroughly so that the option to negotiate from strength exists. That preparation doesn't require you to go through a courtroom process unless it becomes the right path for your situation specifically.

What kind of compensation is available in these cases?

Medical and psychological treatment costs, lost income, pain and suffering, punitive damages in many circumstances, and separate damages against an institution when its negligence enabled the assault. The specific combination depends entirely on your circumstances.

What should I do if I'm not sure whether I want to pursue anything legally?

A confidential consultation doesn't commit you to any specific action. Many survivors use that first conversation simply to understand their options and their timeline before deciding anything. That's a completely reasonable way to approach this.

Practice Areas Archive - Page 2 of 2 - Tabak Law Injury Attorneys

What We Handle

Two focuses. One relentless standard.

This practice is built around the injuries that change lives: harm caused by someone else’s carelessness, and injuries suffered on the job. From day one we investigate, gather medical records, and build a case that holds up under pressure.

Personal Injury

When another driver, property owner, or business puts you in harm’s way, we pursue the full value of your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, and we hold the insurer accountable for shifting blame.

Car accidents

Truck accidents

Motorcycle accidents

Dog bites

Slip & fall

Assault & battery

Workers’ Compensation

Injured on the job? We protect your right to medical treatment and wage benefits, push back when a claim is denied or delayed, and identify third-party claims that a workers’ comp check alone can miss.

Construction injuries

Industrial accidents

Denied claims

Repetitive strain

Return-to-work disputes

Car Accidents

Crashes with cars, semis, and commercial vehicles where distraction, speed, or negligence caused serious injury.
Motorcycle Accidents

Riders face outsized harm and unfair bias from insurers. We tell your side and demand a fair recovery.
Slip & Trip Falls

Falls on unsafe property, from wet floors to hidden hazards, that a business should have prevented.
Dog Bites

Serious bite injuries and attacks where an owner failed to control a dangerous animal.
School and Property Injuries

Accidents at school, on another’s property, and swimming pool injuries caused by negligent supervision.
Workplace & Construction Accidents

Construction and industrial injuries, including cases with both a comp claim and a third-party lawsuit.
Assault & Battery

Compassionate, confidential representation for survivors seeking civil accountability and recovery.
Sexual Assault

When an injury limits the work you can do, we pursue lost wages and future earning power.

Practice Areas

Two focuses. One relentless standard.

Personal Injury

Workers’ Compensation

Practice

Firm

Contact