Crime Victims

Civil Justice for Crime Victims.

If you have been the victim of a crime, you may be able to bring a civil lawsuit for money damages. SGB is a local firm that represents crime victims. We are passionate about advocating on behalf of crime victims and their families, and we have years of direct experience in the Pacific Northwest in both the criminal and civil justice systems. A crime victim’s civil claim can grow stale or, worse, the statute of limitations can expire, while the criminal case takes its course, so do not delay in contacting our team of experienced attorneys.

No one expects to be the victim of a crime. Nonetheless, millions of people suffer the devastating impacts of crime and abuse every year. Crimes are prosecuted in the criminal system by the prosecuting attorney, but crime victims have the right to pursue civil lawsuits against offenders and responsible. A civil lawsuit allows you to sue the person or entity who harmed you or failed to protect you from being victimized for money damages. You may have a civil claim even if the prosecutor or police decline to file criminal charges against the perpetrator.

Our team includes former local criminal prosecutors who know their way around the criminal justice system and are proud members of the National Crime Victim Bar Association.

Should a Crime Victim Hire a Lawyer?

The criminal process provides limited remedies for crime victims.

When a criminal defendant is convicted, the court may order them to pay "restitution" to the victim for direct financial losses related to the crime. The criminal defendant often has no means to pay it, therefore the Court sets a payment schedule that compensates you nominally over long periods of time, oftentimes years.

Beyond restitution, you can also seek assistance from the Washington State Crime Victim Compensation Program, which helps to cover some out-of-pocket expenses related to the crime.

But only a civil suit allows you to pursue additional compensation for all types of damages: financial, physical and emotional, and to obtain that compensation from the institutions and organizations who are responsible.

How can SGB attorneys help crime victims?

If you or a loved one was victimized, we'd like to hear from you. The types of cases we have experience with include:

Sexual Assault, sexual abuse, rape, or other sexually motivated crimes.
Child abuse and child sexual assault.
Violent crimes such as robbery, burglary, or assault.
Wrongful death, homicide, murder or manslaughter.
Elder abuse.
Gunshot or shooting victims, victims of drive-by shootings, or other firearm related crimes.
Those injured by a reckless or drunk driver, or someone under the influence or DUI from any substance.
Property damage or bodily injury resulting from arson, reckless burning or other intentional fires.
Any brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, organ damage, gunshot wound, burn injuries, disfigurement, facial injuries, malnutrition, neglect-related, or serious orthopedic injuries (bone breaks) caused by someone’s criminal behavior.

Even if you don't see your type of case listed here, we may be able to help.

Do you have a potential civil case?

Contact us for help determining whether you have a viable lawsuit against the corporation, agency, facility, school, or property owner whose action or inaction led to you or your loved one’s victimization.

Examples include:

The Department of Corrections failing to supervise probationers, or parolees.
Nursing homes or hospitals failing to keep residents and patients safe due to inadequate staffing or supervision.
Schools, school buses, daycares, or clubs having inadequate supervision, oversight, or security.
DSHS, DCYF, or other government agencies failing to keep children or vulnerable adults under their supervision safe.
Businesses, such as bars, malls, nightclubs, or restaurants failing to keep patron's safe by allowing dangerous conditions to exist or having inadequate security.
Employers failing to keep employees safe by providing adequate security or oversight.
Landlords failing to keep tenants safe by allowing dangerous conditions to fester or having inadequate security on the premises.

While no amount of money can undo the harms caused by a crime, we may be able to help you recover money damages from those who failed to prevent it in the first place.

Start with a free, confidential case review.

There is no charge for us to review your potential claim. If we take your case, we do so on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t pay our fees unless we successfully resolve the claim in your favor. Contact us at 1-800-809-2234 or online here.

$ 3.3 Million settlement with landlord for injuries to tenant cause by arson.

$ 2 Million settlement with athletic club for failing to prevent the sexual abuse of student athlete.

Millions in various jury verdicts and settlements with the State for DHSH allowing the physical or sexual abuse of children under their supervision.

$ 1.75 Million settlement with a school district for failing to prevent the sexual abuse of a student.

$ 4.5 Million settlement against an employer for allowing an employee to sexually assault and harass multiple female employees.

$1.9 Million settlement with a municipality for enabling a police officer to sexually assault women.

FAQs

Do crime victims need a lawyer?

Not always. After a crime has been committed, a prosecutor determines whether the government will pursue a criminal case against the perpetrator. As a victim, it is important to remember that although the Prosecutor’s role is to seek justice, they are not your attorney. The prosecutor represents the government’s interests and makes decisions based on what they believe is in the best interest of the public. Frequently that aligns with crime victims’ wishes, but at other times it may not. Prosecutors are also responsible for ensuring the case follows proper procedures, accounting for both the victim’s and the defendant’s legal rights. State law requires that victims are afforded certain rights that protect their privacy, ensure their safety, and offer support. These rights are detailed in Washington’s Crime Victim Bill of Rights. Civil attorneys can help safeguard these rights so victims are protected from further trauma, and so that prosecutors can focus on their primary task of seeking justice.

Can I bring a civil suit even if no criminal charges were filed?

Yes. There are many reasons the prosecuting attorney may decide not to file criminal charges, including the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. But in a civil case, you only need enough evidence to establish your claim on a more probable than not basis. Also, the government can only bring charges against the crime perpetrator. But the perpetrators of the crime may not be the only ones at fault. In a civil case you can make claims against businesses, corporations, government agencies, or other organizations if they had a role in allowing you to be injured at the hands of the perpetrator.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit if I’m the victim of a crime?

It depends, so you should contact us for a consultation immediately. Time limits for filing a civil suit vary but can be as little as two years from the date of the crime, this is called the Statute of Limitations. Once that time limit is reached, you may be completely precluded from filing a civil suit. Don’t wait to contact us for a consultation so we can help you understand the time limitations you may be facing and avoid limiting your potential civil options or losing them altogether.

Do I have to wait until the criminal case is over before I file a civil lawsuit?

Not necessarily. It can take a year or more from the time of the crime for a criminal case to conclude. Timing for a civil suit in relation to the criminal case depends on several factors, including laws limiting the time you have for filing a civil case (the Statute of Limitations) and who you will sue. Because every case is different, and time limits for filing a civil suit can be as little as two years from the date of the crime, don’t wait to contact us for a consultation.