Women who entrust health care providers with their personal medical needs are vulnerable. While the overwhelming majority of providers are honorable in the delivery of care and treatment to their patients, female patients are tragically experiencing more instances of inappropriate touching and sexual abuse by their male physical therapists, chiropractors, and other health care professionals.
The American Psychological Association (APA) broadly defines sexual abuse as unwanted sexual activity. Perpetrators use physical force, emotional threats, or take advantage of those unable to consent, such as children and vulnerable adults. Sexual abuse survivors have experienced trauma that can impact them for life physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you or your child has survived sexual abuse, Michigan law permits you to bring a civil lawsuit against your abuser, which is separate from criminal charges. The compassionate Grand Rapids sexual abuse lawyers at Gruel Mills can help you seek justice after surviving sexual abuse. We understand sexual abuse is a sensitive subject, and some survivors struggle with guilt and shame.
It’s okay to struggle with your decision to take legal action. However, holding your abuser accountable can help you heal. Also, you help prevent others from falling victim to the same abuse when you speak out.
We can guide you through this delicate process as you continue to work through your trauma. Contact Gruel Mills today for a confidential consultation to discuss your abuse, your abuser, how your trauma has impacted your life, and how we can hel
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The experienced personal injury attorneys at Gruel Mills have decades of experience advocating for injured clients, including those who have fallen victim to sexual abuse. Our dedication to personalized attention and seeking justice has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in damages for our clients. We help survivors hold abusers accountable and understand the sensitivity of sexual abuse claims. Your privacy and individual needs are our top priority.
Gruel Mills has been nationally recognized for its professional excellence by U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers, who named Gruel Mills as Best Law Firm in 2022 and 2019. We have a long history of navigating the complexities of the legal system, including those involved in sensitive sexual abuse cases.
Contact Gruel Mills today for your free, confidential consultation and tell us your story. Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Grand Rapids in the Comerica Building, right across from Rosa Parks Circle. We understand that you might not be able to travel to us, so we offer virtual meetings for your convenience.
Depending on your situation, you might have grounds to sue your abuser for damages related to the trauma you suffered. If you reach a settlement agreement or a jury rules in your favor, you could recover compensation for your abuse.
Grand Rapids sexual abuse survivors who win their claim might receive compensation for:
We cannot guarantee a specific financial outcome for your Grand Rapids sexual abuse claim, but we aggressively pursue the maximum compensation available for your trauma. The emotional impact of sexual abuse can prevent survivors from working, impact their relationships, and cause them depression and anxiety.
Survivors should not have to carry the financial burden that comes in the aftermath of abuse. We are here to fight for sexual abuse survivors.
If you have suffered sexual abuse or someone is currently abusing you, please speak with a trained professional. Grand Rapids has some local resources, but many survivors prefer the anonymity of a national resource. You can contact RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Line 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673) and online at rainn.org. We can help you do this.
If you are in immediate danger or know someone who is, call 911. Grand Rapids emergency response teams can help.
You can report the sexual abuse of a child or adult to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services by calling their abuse and neglect hotline at 855-444-3911. The hotline is open 24 hours per day. Michigan, like other states, has strict reporting requirements for those who suspect or know of the sexual abuse of a child.
Medical professionals, teachers, law enforcement, members of the clergy, and many others must report sexual abuse. If you are unsure whether you need to report, one of our sexual abuse lawyers can advise you on the best course of action.
In recent years, hundreds of survivors have come forward to report sexual abuse by priests, bishops, deacons, and other clergy members of the Roman Catholic Church. Thus far, plaintiffs have credibly accused, prosecuted, convicted, and/or sued 14 members of the clergy for sexual abuse in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. If a Catholic priest sexually abused you in Grand Rapids as a child, Gruel Mills can help you take action against your abuser and the church.
We understand that some survivors find it awkward to seek economic justice from their current or former religious community. We can counsel you and discuss the best way forward for your situation. It takes courage to come forward with your story, and we are by your side to help you through this difficult process. Many survivors find coming forward beneficial to their healing and overall mental health, but you also prevent future parishioners from falling victim to future abuse by clergy.
Some sexual abuse survivors find it difficult to come forward with their story, and others wrongly assume they have no recourse because their abuse occurred decades ago. Sexual abuse might be one incident, but in many cases, abusers groom and repeatedly touch, rape, or engage in other illegal sexual acts with a child.
Sexual abuse victims may suffer abuse for a few months or years during childhood. Fear of retaliation from their abuser keeps many children from speaking out. Also, some repress their memories and do not discover their abuse until much later in life and assume it’s too late to take action.
Fortunately, Michigan law provides a cushion in their statute of limitations to account for sexual abuse. In typical personal injury cases, people have three years to file a lawsuit against the person who harmed them.
In Michigan sexual abuse claims, survivors have until their 28th birthday to take civil action against their abuser. However, Michigan law has a three-year discovery rule for those who suffered abuse while they were a minor. Regardless of the age you learn or recall your abuse, you have three years to bring a lawsuit against your abuser.
Criminal charges and civil lawsuits are different and independent paths to seeking justice after surviving sexual abuse. If you reported your sexual abuse to the Grand Rapids police or other law enforcement agency or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, you might have already started the criminal process.
If you have not filed any reports, the Kent County prosecutor might bring charges against your abuser after filing a civil lawsuit. Civil actions sometimes trigger criminal charges. However, it is not your choice to criminally charge your abuser. The prosecutor will listen to your story and decide whether to take action.
However, you have the choice to bring a civil lawsuit against your abuser, and the outcome of a criminal trial does not prevent you from taking action. Suing your abuser includes seeking compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damage you suffered because of their abuse. Jail time and fines are criminal trial outcomes and have nothing to do with your lawsuit. If you win your case, you could receive compensation from a settlement agreement or a jury award.
Any time you bring a civil lawsuit against another party, you need to prepare for trial. However, these cases often do not make it to court because both sides reach a financial settlement. Ultimately, it will be your choice if you want your case to go to court. If you do decide to pursue a court case, we will do everything we can to prepare and protect you.
The team at Gruel Mills can review your claim, present you with any settlement offers, and advise you on the best course of action for your situation.
Research shows that most survivors were sexually abused by someone they know, such as a friend of the family, coach, babysitter, or teacher. This sometimes makes it difficult for people, especially children, to understand they have been abused or assaulted. Sexual abuse falls under the broad umbrella of sexual violence with other sex crimes, such as sexual assault.
Examples of sexual abuse and assault include:
Yes. Taking legal action after surviving sexual abuse often involves more than suing the abuser. If another person or organization’s negligence enabled your abuser, they could be liable for damages.
Examples of those who a Grand Rapids sexual abuse claim might hold liable include:
Sexual abuse claims are sensitive cases that require compassion, care, and concern for the survivor.
If you survived abuse, you do not have to seek justice alone. The legal team at Gruell Mills understands the impact of abuse, and we fight to help survivors hold their abusers accountable. We have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies and large legal teams. We know how to protect our clients from victim-blaming and other shameful defense tactics.
Let Gruel Mills investigate your claim, gather relevant documents and records, and talk to potential witnesses so that we can build the strongest possible case while protecting you as best we can.
Contact us today online or call us for a confidential case evaluation. You can discuss your abuse, how your trauma has affected your life, and find out how we can advocate for you and help you seek the justice you deserve.
