Welcome to the top Personal Injury, Child Abuse, and Assault Law Firm in California. Tom Cifarelli and his team give victims a voice to prevent future abuse. As a nationally recognized sexual abuse victim’s advocate, he aggressively fights for victims of sexual abuse to win them the best possible outcome.
You pay us nothing until we win your case.
Sexual abuse of a child is a reprehensible crime. Unfortunately, it happens far too often and can go on for years without notice. Although the criminal justice system severely punishes offenders, a conviction cannot undo the emotional and psychological trauma that often follows victims well into adulthood. Thankfully, victims may still have a chance to make their voices heard.
If you are a survivor or your child has experienced abuse, an Irvine child sexual abuse lawyer from The Cifarelli Law Firm could provide you with support and guidance on a possible civil claim for financial compensation. Our compassionate team is dedicated to representing survivors and their families throughout California in their pursuit of justice.
While it is a common belief that abuse happens at the hands of a random stranger, it is more likely to come from someone close to the child. Often, these individuals are involved in jobs or activities that allow them to be close to children, such as teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and health care providers. In such cases, the nature of their jobs allows their inappropriate actions to continue unnoticed for months or even years.
What constitutes sexual abuse can be very broad. In a general sense, sexual abuse is any sort of unwanted sexual act, usually in the form of touching, whether initiated by the offender or through coercion of the child. Some forms of abuse do not include physical contact, but instead involve the showing or displaying of sexually explicit images or videos or the use of graphically sexual language when talking to children.
Because these inappropriate actions take place away from witnesses, families need to keep an eye out for any warning signs of abuse. Physical signs can include bruises and other injuries on the victim’s body. However, the most common signals are subtle changes in the child’s behavior. Abuse can cause severe psychological trauma, especially because children are too young to understand what is going on. They may internalize this trauma as fear and shame and show signs of depression, have difficulty at school, use drugs and other substances, and get into fights with their peers.
Abuse can have long-lasting effects on children, but victims and their families may have a chance to hold the offender accountable for their crimes. An Irvine attorney experienced with representing children who have been inappropriately touched could provide advice and guidance on the legal options available.
If suspicions of abuse arise, contacting the appropriate authorities is the first step in seeking justice. These authorities may include local child protective services, law enforcement, and administrators at the offender’s job. Contacting these individuals could initiate an investigation and begin work toward a possible criminal charge.
Next, it is essential to consult with a lawyer about a possible civil claim. Victims and their families may be able to recover financial compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the abuse. A claim does not have to be limited to the offender, but could also hold their employer or organization responsible for enabling the abuse or not taking action to stop it.
Although no amount of money can turn back time or erase the trauma, it can at least allow victims and their families to take back control from their abuser. Survivors of childhood sex abuse should speak to an Irvine lawyer to learn more about their options for pursuing compensation.
Tom Cifarelli is recognized as one of the nation’s top attorneys in plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. He has been selected as one of the top 500 plaintiff lawyers in America and the top 50 Attorneys in Orange County by Super Lawyers. He has won and collected over $100 million for his clients in the last five years alone. Throughout his entire career, he has made law in important areas including privacy rights and school district liability for children sexually abused by teachers. He is a recognized expert in the areas of child sexual abuse litigation, privacy rights, pharmacy mistakes and handling high profile personal injury litigation throughout California.
If you or your child has been a victim, talk to an Irvine child sexual abuse lawyer at The Cifarelli Law Firm. Our team is passionate about advocating for victims and helping them seek justice. We understand this is a difficult situation, and we strive to create a place where victims from all over California can feel safe and heard. Call The Cifarelli Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
(949) 502-8600
