Maison Law represents the victims of sexual assaults and rape that occur on or around Fresno State University. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for injured victims when the leaders of colleges, fraternities, and sororities fail in their duty to keep students, members, and guests safe from harm. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all victims and their families. Contact us to set up a confidential case review.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Being Sexually Assaulted on the Fresno State Campus?
Sexual assault victims must receive the care they need and the support necessary to rebuild their lives after a traumatic incident. If you were physically or sexually assaulted due to the negligence of a university or a fraternal organization, you should speak to a lawyer about your case.
California laws empower the victims of physical and emotional trauma to seek justice, but holding a public institution liable for their mistakes can be complex and frustrating.
Fraternities and sororities are often run by large organizations or even corporations that can afford teams of lawyers. In some cases, your claim may involve the college itself, which will also be protected by attorneys and perhaps even state laws. These entities will be trying to discredit your story.
Your lawyer is a safeguard against this unfair treatment. Your lawyer fully investigates your case and then demands the maximum in compensation for you and your family so you can start to heal.
Sexual Assault Risks at Fresno State
Fresno State becomes home to around 24,000 students each semester. The focus is on academics and making lifelong connections. Unfortunately, the college experience also comes with the risk of physical and sexual assault.
There are sexual assault victims who bravely step forward each year at campuses across The California State University System. Sadly, there are others who remain silent victims.
Universities like Fresno State are supposed to do everything possible to make dorms, and campus activities as safe as possible for students, faculty, and guests. Universities are also responsible for monitoring the activities of sororities and fraternities for behavior that could foster a dangerous environment off campus.
When universities fail in this duty to their students and someone suffers an assault, victims are empowered to seek justice and support from the school system and from Greek organizations.
Sexual Assault at Fresno State In The News
Unfortunately, Fresno State and fraternities associated with the school don’t have a perfect record when it comes to sexual abuse. In 2022, KFSN-TV reported on a woman who was suing Kappa Sigma Fraternity after she says she was raped two times at parties in 2020 when she was a 17-year-old student.
What’s more, a Fresno College instructor resigned in 2022 after allegations surfaced over sexual assault in 2019 occurring at Fresno State. EdSource reported that the incident in question occurred in 2015 when the suspect was a graduate student and part-time instructor at Fresno State. It was described as an act of sexual violence against a female faculty member against a female professor. The woman eventually won a settlement from Fresno State.
These types of incidents are in the news each year, and victims can end up without the support they require to have a chance to seek justice and find closure. Maison Law doesn’t allow victims to end up victimized yet again. We go after large, faceless universities and force them to do what’s right for victims and their families.
Fresno State has a page on its website dedicated to helping sexual assault victims know what to do after an assault.
Is Fresno State Responsible After a Sexual Assault?
Yes. Fresno State can face a civil lawsuit after allowing a permissive environment that leads to a rape. No amount of money can erase the physical and emotional damage a sexual assault causes, but victims should seek justice and support to have the best chance to move on with their lives.
The California State University System or a fraternity or sorority might be liable for the damaging effects of an assault if they contributed to a crime in these and other ways:
- Failure to provide a secure environment for guests, students, faculty, and pledges.
- Failure to take action if Greek organizations or student groups are accused of permitting activity that can lead to sexual assault.
- Failure to act on reports that a student, faculty, or staff member has threatened assault or had committed assault
- Failure in background checks and admitting a student or employee with a history of sexual assault.
A Fresno State Sexual Assault Lawyer would fully investigate a sexual assault case and gather powerful evidence to make sure the university or a Greek organization could not escape liability. Expert witnesses and police evidence would be presented to force public institutions to accept full blame and support victims.
Do I Have to Wait on a Criminal Trial to File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
No. Victims have the right to file a civil claim which is handled separately from any criminal prosecution. The civil claim or lawsuit (if a settlement isn’t reached) isn’t directed at the suspect. It’s aimed at any educational institution or Greek organization that may have contributed to the environment that allowed rape to occur.
A civil claim could be filed at any time, no matter if someone has been charged or a criminal trial has started. The support a victim earns does not hinge on the fate of the guilty party. A compassionate lawyer at Maison Law would seek to handle the litigation while providing as little disruption to the victim’s life as possible.
What Type of Compensation Can College Sexual Assault Victims Receive?
Victims must hold Fresno State and The California State University system fully liable for the physical, emotional, and financial devastation a frightening attack will cause.
These are just a few of the economic damages associated with such a tragedy that could also be the responsibility of the university system:
- The costs of current medical treatment and any care expected to be necessary in the future.
- Costs for trauma therapy now and in the future.
- Costs relating to dealing with the pain experienced as a consequence of the assault.
- Potential future income loss if permanently disabled and unable to work.
- Setbacks to the educational progress of a student. Perhaps money for a victimized student to enroll at another college.
A Maison Law representative will also demand support for the emotional toll such a tragedy will take on victims.
- Support for emotional trauma a frightening attack causes.
- Emotional trauma involving humiliation and embarrassment.
- Support for any suicidal thoughts a victim may have.
- Support for the violation of privacy that’s occurred from a sexual assault and during an invasive investigation.
- Support for PTSD symptoms victims often must deal with for years to come.
Contact a California State University Sexual Assault Lawyer
The victims of college sexual assaults can feel shame and doubt about filing a claim and seeking recovery help. Maison Law safeguards victims and loved ones at such a vulnerable time.
We want to handle the frustrating negotiations with cold, faceless state universities. Our Fresno State Sexual Assault Lawyers fight for justice while victims are allowed to focus on healing.
Maison Law offers a free and confidential case consultation to all victims who suffer harm on campus, off campus, and at a Greek house.
Contact us today and let us answer your questions and go over the best options for holding a school responsible after a tragic lapse in their duty to protect. If we can help you earn more for your recovery, you won’t need to worry about finding the money to hire a lawyer. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement a university is forced to provide.
