Maison Law assists victims of sexual assault, rape, and other traumas at universities and colleges in California. Our lawyers are dedicated to holding universities and their administrations accountable when they fail to protect students and anyone else from sexual assault and other violence. Contact us today to schedule a free and completely confidential consultation to talk about your options.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
A sexual assault isn’t like other injuries, even though it’s the same in legal terms. It involves an incredibly traumatic and painful experience that makes it difficult to even know what happened in some cases. Still, because you have certain legal options when you’re the victim of a sexual assault at your California university, having a lawyer can really make things easier for you.
Our team at Maison Law takes pride in our approach to these cases and our ability to give our clients the legal and emotional support they need to hold their school accountable. We do this by explaining your rights and choices, figuring out who is responsible for the incident, helping you with gathering evidence and details, and then negotiating with insurance companies and defense attorneys.
Our aim is to streamline the legal process for you and provide the assistance you deserve. No one should experience sexual assault, especially in an educational setting. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
What Are the Top Ten Universities in California For Sexual Assault?
California is a huge state with thousands of universities and other institutions of higher learning. Unfortunately, though, these academic settings are also ripe for situations where you or other students and visitors can fall victim to a sexual assault.
Statistically, this happens to be in line with data on the issue. According to 2019 data from the FBI, the ten leading universities that had the most reports of sexual assault or other sexual violence included:
- University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of California, Berkeley (Cal)
- Sonoma State University
- University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz)
- San Jose State University
- San Diego State University
- University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
- University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
- San Francisco State University
Obviously, data on sexual assault is rather difficult to get a handle on because it can only be gathered and compiled if it’s reported. The nature of sexual assault carries a lot of stigma for survivors, making it difficult for them to come forward and report it, and then pursue their legal options.
But the fact remains, you do have options if you get sexually assaulted on a college campus in California. You just have to know how to respond.
What Do You Need to Do If You Get Sexually Assaulted at a California University or College?
You never want to find yourself in a situation where you get sexually assaulted or experience any kind of sexual violence or harassment. But as the above data shows, California universities and colleges see their fair share of these incidents. With that knowledge, it’s vital to know what you can do if it happens to you:
- Get medical attention – Your health and safety needs to be your top priority. Go to a doctor or hospital as soon as you can. They can treat your injuries and gather important medical evidence. This can also help you with details about the incident.
- Document what happened – Take pictures of any injuries and write down everything you remember about the incident, including details about the person who assaulted you.
- Tell the school – It’s important to report the assault to school officials as soon as possible. They can help you with next steps and support. You can also report to the police or other law enforcement agencies if you choose.
- Get emotional support – Dealing with the aftermath of assault can be tough emotionally. Consider talking to a counselor or therapist who can help you cope with your feelings and trauma. Also, you can search out local groups in California that offer support and resources for survivors of sexual abuse. They can provide understanding and guidance during this difficult time.
These steps help prepare for legal action, prioritize your safety, and address any medical issues from the assault. However, going through the legal process in sexual assault cases is difficult. That’s another area where our team can be a huge benefit to you.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Sexual Assault at a California University or College?
The reality of a sexual assault is incredibly difficult to deal with, even with available resources and legal rights. The reason that these incidents are so painful and traumatic is that they involve an incredible betrayal of your personal and sexual safety and autonomy. Then, there’s the actual legal process that comes with your rights.
You can file a civil injury claim when you’re sexually assaulted at a California college or university, which will allow you to recover certain financial support and benefits known as “damages.” Typically, you do this by filing an insurance claim out of court or a personal injury lawsuit inside the court system against the perpetrator and anyone else responsible, including the actual college or even the state if it’s a state-run university.
If you start with an insurance claim, the carrier will investigate and potentially offer you a settlement. If you accept it, the process is over. But if you decide to file a lawsuit, it’s an open court case. It starts with the discovery phase, where evidence is traded between both sides. Once that wraps up, a settlement may be proposed to avoid trial. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial where a judge and jury determine your damages, which are meant to cover things like:
- Medical costs
- Lost income or earning potential
- Repair or replacement costs for property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship
- Punitive damages
There are specific deadlines for filing your claim, just like there is with any other injury claim. However, sexual assaults are a bit different.
- For assaults after January 1, 2019, victims have up to ten years from the incident to file.
- For assaults between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2019, victims have until December 31, 2026, to file, thanks to AB 2777.
Sexual assault is a serious violation of your rights and space. It can be scary to file a claim and face those responsible in court, even with legal support. But it’s important for holding them accountable under California law.
Contact Maison Law After a Sexual Assault at a California University
At Maison Law, we’re here to help sexual assault survivors at California universities. We provide caring and personalized support to guide you through this difficult time. No one should go through this alone. If you’ve experienced sexual assault, we’re here to support you and explore your options. Contact us today for a free consultation, confidential to learn more.
