If you, a family member, or a loved one were a victim of sexual assault, call the sexual abuse attorneys at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law. When you call our law firm, you’ll have a free case evaluation with a real person who cares about what you’ve been through, with experience handling sexual assault cases, including sexual harassment cases involving students. Most importantly, our attorneys and staff are trained to discuss sensitive topics, with compassion, during a confidential consultation.

How Justice Can Help You Reclaim Your Life

Justice in a sexual abuse case is about more than financial compensation—it is about restoring dignity, accountability, and control. A civil claim can hold the abuser or responsible institution accountable while helping cover therapy, medical care, lost income, and other long-term impacts of the trauma. A trained and experienced sexual abuse lawyer can help a survivor regain a sense of power and closure, taking an important step toward healing and rebuilding their lives.

Types of Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Rape Cases We Handle

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Abeyta Nelson attorneys have handled cases including sexual abuse, sexual assault, or harassment or molestation by a trusted adult, such as a teacher, coach, mentor, pastor or youth group leader. All of these incidents have serious effects on a person’s emotional security and development and can cause long-term emotional distress. In general, it is well-documented that victims of unwanted sexual contact or victims of childhood sexual abuse are more likely than non-victims to have problems with adult relationships, experience drug or alcohol abuse, increased risk of suicide or other self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, and health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

Civil vs. Criminal Sexual Assault Cases

Abeyta Nelson Injury Law attorneys handle civil cases which ultimately help survivors of sexual abuse recover and move forward. Civil cases are filed by a personal injury attorney on behalf of a survivor of sexual abuse to seek financial compensation for harms like medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and emotional distress. 

A criminal sexual assault case is brought by the government to determine whether the accused should face punishment, including penalties such as jail time, probation, or registration requirements. A sexual abuse case can proceed in both criminal and civil court because they serve different purposes. Even if a criminal case does not result in a conviction, a survivor may still pursue a civil claim. Contact the sexual abuse attorneys of Abeyta Nelson to discuss your legal options.

Protecting Your Privacy and Dignity

A woman sitting at a desk with a laptop looks uncomfortable as a person standing behind her places hands on her shoulders.

Sexual abuse cases are protected, and a confidential consultation is part of the attorney-client privilege rule. Sexual abuse cases, like other legal cases, are considered protected private communications between a client and their lawyer, and this relationship can only be waived by the client.  Even if you are consulting with a sexual abuse attorney but haven’t yet paid the attorney or signed a contract for their services, the information disclosed in conversation with a prospective client is considered confidential. Further, attorneys cannot use or reveal the information shared in conversation with a client or potential client, except in rare circumstances where the client indicates their intentions to perform an illegal act.

Holding Abusers and Enablers Accountable

Holding abusers and the institutions that enabled them accountable is a critical step toward justice in a sexual abuse case. Civil claims can expose how individuals, organizations, schools, churches, or employers failed to prevent or properly respond to abuse, even when they had warning signs. When sexual abuse lawyers seek compensation and demand accountability, survivors not only secure financial recovery for the harm they suffered, but also help prevent future abuse by bringing misconduct into the light.

Managing Evidence, Reports, and Documentation

Managing evidence, reports, and documentation is one of the most important steps a sexual abuse lawyer will use to build a strong case. Preservation of medical records, counseling notes, incident reports, communications, and any prior complaints show a pattern of misconduct or negligence which factor into the case. An experienced attorney helps gather, organize, and protect this evidence so it can support your claim and withstand scrutiny from insurance companies or defense attorneys.

Your Rights Under Washington Law

A seated person in a red blazer holds up a hand defensively toward a standing person in a blue suit, suggesting an uncomfortable interaction.

Under Washington law, sexual abuse lawyers may pursue civil claims on behalf of their client against both the abuser and any individual or institution that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse. In many cases, extended statutes of limitation give survivors additional time to come forward, especially when trauma delayed disclosure. You also have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, counseling costs, lost income, and the emotional harm caused by the abuse, while keeping your privacy protected through the legal process.

When To Consult a Sexual Abuse Law Firm

If you or a family member is a victim of sexual assault, it’s critical to get to a safe place and call 911 to report the assault to law enforcement, and to request a criminal investigation. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is also available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Although it may be emotionally difficult, it is critical to reach out to authorities as soon as possible to report the incident. 

It can take years after childhood sexual abuse or molestation for a victim to recognize the lifelong impact the abuse had on their wellbeing. For this reason, Washington state law extended the statute of limitations for victims of sexual assault beyond the usual three years. RCW 4.16.340 allows a claim for physical childhood sexual abuse to be brought within three years of the time the survivor of sexual abuse discovered that the injury or condition was caused by the abuser. This allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring a civil claim for damages years – even decades—after the abuse occurred. Contact an experienced and compassionate sexual abuse lawyer at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law to discuss the complexities of your case.