Have you decided to seek compensation from your child’s abuser? The decision to take legal action for child sexual abuse isn’t always an easy one. You may feel overwhelmed by the road ahead and stressed by the idea of reliving this horrendous experience. But the right California child sexual abuse lawyer makes this legal process slightly easier. 

A good attorney handles your case with extreme care, compassion, and empathy and reliably helps you maximize your compensation. So, how do you choose a good attorney? The following steps can help you narrow your options. 

Look at Their Experience

Child sexual abuse cases are unique in that they involve both criminal charges and civil action. Your attorney should have experience helping abuse victims and their families report the abuse and hold the abuser criminally accountable. They must also have experience representing abuse victims and their families in civil actions. 

Don’t simply look for an attorney who has personal injury experience. Instead, look for one who specifically handles child sexual abuse cases. They will be able to guide you through this multi-faceted process.

It won’t hurt to look at an attorney’s website or ask them in person how much money they have secured for clients in the past. This could inform your opinion of them. 

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

Many California child sexual abuse lawyers offer free consultations. While such meetings technically allow an attorney to determine whether you have a solid case, you can evaluate their communication skills and become acquainted with them. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions like:

• How many child sexual abuse cases have you tried?
• How many other cases are you overseeing right now?
• How many of your child sexual abuse cases ended up in court? 
• Why did you begin representing child sexual abuse victims?
• How do you expect this case to proceed?

During your consultation, the attorney may ask you questions about the details of your case. Know that these consultations are confidential, but only share what you feel comfortable with during this initial meeting.  

Examine the Attorney’s Personality and Demeanor  

Child sexual abuse cases are extremely sensitive and come with incredibly challenging emotions. During your consultation with a California child sexual abuse lawyer, evaluate their personality and demeanor. Are they handling this subject in the way you would expect them to? 

Good child sexual abuse lawyers don’t treat these cases as just another item on their to-do lists. They exhibit compassion and sensitivity throughout every interaction.

These attorneys demonstrably care about your family’s experience and outcomes. They give you time and space to process sensitive questions and use trauma-informed counsel, ensuring they have the requisite experience and training to handle these cases. 

If you don’t feel comfortable discussing the high-level details of the case with an attorney, that’s a good sign that they may not be a good fit for you. It’s your case and your family, so you have every right to be picky about the attorney you work with. 

The Cifarelli Law Firm: Your Trusted California Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Are you looking for legal representation for a child sexual abuse case? California’s statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil actions is fairly generous, so you may be able to seek compensation for abuse that happened decades ago.

The Cifarelli Law Firm has extensive experience representing victims and their families in child sexual abuse cases and will handle your case with the utmost respect, professionalism, and compassion. Contact our California child sexual abuse lawyers today at (949) 409-6324 to schedule a free consultation.