Navigating Civil Damages After an Assault: Understanding Your Rights

Assault is a traumatic experience that can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial scars. In addition to criminal charges, victims of assault may pursue civil damages to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. Whether the assault occurs at your home or a place of business, there may be an avenue to pursue civil damages.

Civil damages resulting from assault can encompass various forms of harm, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and emotional distress. These damages aim to restore the victim to the state they were in before the assault occurred, as much as possible.

Medical expenses are a significant component of civil damages in assault cases. This includes costs related to emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing medical care. Victims have the right to seek compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from the assault.

Pain and suffering damages are awarded to compensate victims for the physical and emotional anguish caused by the assault. This can include physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The severity and duration of the victim’s suffering are taken into account when determining these damages.

Lost wages may also be claimed if the victim is unable to work due to injuries sustained in the assault. This includes both past and future lost earnings, as well as compensation for diminished earning capacity if the victim’s ability to work is permanently impaired.

Emotional distress damages are awarded to compensate victims for the psychological trauma they experience as a result of the assault. This can include symptoms such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and insomnia, as well as the impact on personal relationships and daily functioning.

In conclusion, victims of assault have the right to pursue civil damages to hold the perpetrator accountable and seek compensation for their injuries and losses. By understanding their rights and working with experienced legal professionals, victims can navigate the civil justice system and obtain the justice and closure they deserve.

Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner strives to provide the best legal representation in assault cases, as well as other cases. If you or anyone you know needs legal representation due to injury or death, please contact Abraham Watkins at 713-222-7211 or 1-800-870-9584.