When Your Back Is Against The Wall
Rock Hill Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Sexual abuse is a profound violation that can leave survivors with lasting emotional, physical, and psychological trauma. Many survivors also face overwhelming legal challenges when seeking justice, unsure of their rights or how to hold those responsible accountable. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in Rock Hill, South Carolina, you deserve compassionate support, aggressive legal representation, and a legal team that will stand by you every step of the way.
At Lanier Law Group, we are committed to helping survivors seek justice, obtain financial compensation, and hold individuals and institutions accountable for their wrongdoing. Our team understands the courage it takes to come forward, and we are here to guide you through the legal process while prioritizing your well-being.
What Qualifies as Sexual Abuse in South Carolina?
Sexual abuse refers to any non-consensual sexual act or behavior, especially when force, coercion, or manipulation is involved. South Carolina law defines a range of offenses under the category of sexual abuse, each carrying different legal consequences. Some of the most common forms of sexual abuse include:
Criminal Sexual Conduct
Often referred to as rape, criminal sexual conduct involves forced or non-consensual sexual intercourse. The severity of the charge depends on factors such as whether a weapon was used, the victim’s age, or whether the victim was incapacitated.
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Sexual Battery
Sexual battery includes unwanted sexual contact, such as groping or fondling, that does not involve penetration. These acts are criminal offenses under South Carolina law and can carry serious penalties.
Statutory Rape
Even if a minor appears to consent, South Carolina law states that minors cannot legally provide consent to sexual activity. Any sexual relationship between an adult and a minor is considered statutory rape and can lead to severe legal consequences.
Sexual Exploitation
Sexual exploitation includes offenses such as coercing someone into sexual activity for financial gain, distributing or possessing explicit images of minors, or abusing a position of power to manipulate a victim.
Sexual Abuse by a Person in Authority
When a teacher, coach, religious leader, employer, or another authority figure uses their position of power to coerce a victim into sexual activity, it is considered abuse. Institutions that ignore or cover up these offenses may also be held accountable.
South Carolina law recognizes that lack of physical resistance does not mean consent. Many survivors experience a freeze response due to fear or shock, preventing them from fighting back. Additionally, individuals who are intoxicated, unconscious, or mentally incapacitated cannot legally consent to any sexual activity.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases in South Carolina
Survivors of sexual abuse have legal options, but the legal system can be complex and overwhelming. Understanding the difference between criminal and civil cases is crucial in deciding the best course of action.
Criminal Cases
Criminal cases are prosecuted by the state and focus on punishing the offender. If found guilty, the responsible party may face prison time, fines, probation, and mandatory sex offender registration. However, criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a high standard to meet. Additionally, criminal charges do not provide direct financial compensation to the survivor.
Civil Lawsuits
Civil lawsuits allow survivors to seek financial compensation for the harm they have suffered. These claims can be filed against both the individual abuser and any institution that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse. Compensation in a civil case can cover medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and emotional distress. Civil cases require a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, making it more likely for survivors to achieve justice.
How Will an Attorney from Lanier Law Group Help?
Taking legal action after experiencing sexual abuse is a significant step, and having the right attorney by your side can make all the difference. At Lanier Law Group, we are committed to providing compassionate support, aggressive legal representation, and a survivor-centered approach to every case we handle. Our goal is to ensure that you feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the legal process while we fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Providing Trauma-Informed Legal Guidance
We understand that discussing sexual abuse can be painful, which is why our attorneys have undergone trauma-informed training to handle cases with sensitivity, patience, and respect. From the very first consultation, we create a safe and supportive environment where you can share your story at your own pace. We will listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options without pressure or judgment.
Conducting a Thorough Investigation
Building a strong case requires careful investigation and detailed evidence collection. Our legal team will work to gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other available evidence that supports your claim. In cases where an institution, such as a school, religious organization, or workplace, failed to protect you, we will examine internal policies, past complaints, and patterns of negligence to establish liability.
Holding Abusers and Institutions Accountable
Whether you are pursuing criminal charges, a civil lawsuit, or both, we will take an aggressive stance against those responsible. Our attorneys are skilled at negotiating settlements, filing lawsuits, and representing survivors in court to ensure that individuals and institutions that allowed abuse to occur are held accountable.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
Survivors of sexual abuse often face medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and lifelong emotional distress. We will fight to secure financial compensation that covers these damages, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life. In cases involving gross negligence or institutional misconduct, we will also pursue punitive damages to hold responsible parties fully accountable.
Supporting You Every Step of the Way
The legal process can be overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our team will keep you informed, guide you through each stage of your case, and provide the emotional and legal support you need to move forward with confidence. At Lanier Law Group, we believe that every survivor deserves justice, dignity, and a voice.
Understanding the Legal Challenges Survivors Face
Survivors of sexual abuse often encounter significant legal obstacles when seeking justice. The legal system can be complex, emotionally draining, and, at times, discouraging. However, understanding these challenges can help survivors better prepare for the process and work with an experienced attorney to overcome them.
Statute of Limitations and Filing Deadlines
One of the most significant legal barriers survivors face is the statute of limitations, which dictates how long they have to file a lawsuit or pursue criminal charges. In South Carolina, the time limits for filing vary based on the specifics of the case, such as the survivor’s age at the time of the abuse and whether an institution played a role in enabling it. Many survivors do not disclose their abuse until years later due to trauma, fear, or manipulation. While legal exceptions may allow for extensions, delays in filing can impact a survivor’s ability to pursue justice.
Burden of Proof in Criminal and Civil Cases
Criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest legal standard, making it difficult to secure convictions. Survivors may have to testify in court and face intense questioning, which can be retraumatizing. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof, meaning survivors have a better chance of securing compensation, but they still require strong evidence, such as witness testimony, medical records, or institutional negligence.
Institutional Cover-Ups and Legal Defenses
When abuse occurs in schools, religious organizations, workplaces, or other institutions, survivors may face resistance from powerful entities that attempt to cover up the abuse or deny responsibility. Institutions may have teams of lawyers working to protect their reputation and financial interests, using tactics such as delaying proceedings, discrediting survivors, or offering low settlement amounts. Fighting against these institutions requires an experienced legal team that knows how to uncover hidden evidence and challenge legal defenses.
Fear of Retaliation or Public Exposure
Survivors may fear retaliation from their abuser, an institution, or their community if they come forward. Others may worry about their case becoming public, causing additional emotional distress. However, legal protections exist to keep cases confidential and prevent retaliation. A skilled attorney can take steps to protect a survivor’s privacy and ensure their safety throughout the legal process.
At Lanier Law Group, we understand these challenges and are prepared to help survivors overcome them. No survivor should feel alone in their fight for justice. Our team is here to provide legal strength, emotional support, and relentless advocacy to ensure that survivors have every opportunity to hold those responsible accountable.
Compensation for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Survivors of sexual abuse may be entitled to significant financial compensation for the harm they have endured. Compensation in a civil lawsuit typically includes:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover tangible financial losses such as medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages. Many survivors require long-term counseling, psychiatric care, or medical treatments to recover from their trauma.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological toll of sexual abuse. Survivors may receive compensation for pain and suffering, PTSD, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. Courts recognize that the effects of abuse can last a lifetime and compensate survivors accordingly.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in cases where gross negligence or institutional misconduct played a role in enabling abuse. These damages punish responsible parties and deter future wrongdoing. Institutions such as schools, religious organizations, and workplaces may face punitive damages if they failed to act on reports of abuse.
Why Choose Lanier Law Group?
Lanier Law Group has built a reputation as a powerful advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. Our firm has handled more sexual abuse cases than any other in North Carolina, and we bring that same level of dedication and experience to survivors in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We understand the profound impact of sexual abuse and the courage it takes to come forward. That is why we provide strong legal representation while prioritizing the emotional well-being of our clients.
Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Representation
Seeking justice after sexual abuse can be overwhelming, which is why our attorneys have undergone extensive trauma-informed training to ensure survivors feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the legal process. We recognize the emotional toll of reliving traumatic events, and we work to create a safe, judgment-free environment where survivors can share their stories on their own terms. Our legal approach is built around minimizing retraumatization, allowing survivors to proceed at a pace that feels right for them.
Aggressive Litigation Against Abusers and Negligent Institutions
While we approach our clients with compassion, we take an uncompromising stance against those responsible for sexual abuse. Whether we are holding an individual accountable or taking legal action against an institution that enabled abuse, we fight relentlessly to ensure survivors receive justice and financial compensation. Our team does not back down, no matter how powerful the opponent may be.
Years of Experience Handling Complex Sexual Abuse Cases
Sexual abuse cases require a law firm with extensive knowledge of legal strategy, forensic evidence, and institutional responsibility. With decades of experience, our attorneys know how to build strong cases that maximize the chances of success. We have successfully represented survivors in lawsuits against individuals, employers, schools, religious organizations, and other institutions that failed to protect those in their care.
Survivors Pay Nothing Upfront
We believe financial barriers should never prevent a survivor from seeking justice. That is why we handle sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis—you do not pay anything unless we secure compensation for you. This allows survivors to focus on healing while we focus on achieving the best possible legal outcome.
Survivors deserve justice, accountability, and the chance to reclaim their power. At Lanier Law Group, we are ready to stand with you, fight for you, and make sure your voice is heard.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual abuse in Rock Hill, South Carolina, you do not have to face this battle alone. The path to justice may feel overwhelming, but you have a dedicated legal team ready to fight for you.
At Lanier Law Group, we understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we are committed to standing with you every step of the way. Our firm has the experience, resources, and determination to hold abusers and negligent institutions accountable while ensuring that survivors receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
Your voice matters, and justice begins with one step. Contact Lanier Law Group today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced sexual abuse attorney. Call 919-342-1368 or reach out to us online. The legal process can be challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone. We’re here to help.
Your road to recovery starts now. Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us take on the legal battle so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
We Won't Back Down
Lanier Law Group is Here When Results Matter Most
We Fight for Our Clients
*Featured Case Results, Settlements, & Trial Wins From Our Attorneys
$4.8 Million
Settlement
A case with multiple plaintiffs who were potentially exposed to a deadly disease while in the hospital.
$3.1 Million
Birth Injury/Hypoxic Brain Injury
The OB doctor’s negligence caused a delay in the baby’s birth which resulted in the baby suffering of a severe hypoxic brain injury.
$1.375 Million
Medication Overdose/Hospital Negligence
Our client died following an overdose of medication that occurred as a result of the negligence of the nursery staff while they were in the hospital.
$1.2 Million
Birth Injury/Developmental Delay
Our client suffers from a severe developmental delay following a birth injury when there were signs of fetal distress that were not responded to.
$500,000
Botched Gall Bladder Surgery
Our client suffered an injury to their common bile duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
$425,000
Surgical Error
A client had their bowel perforated during a ventral hernia repair.
We Never Back Down From a Fight
Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results
"20 out of 10 stars."
There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it’s interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don’t have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.
- Diane W.
"Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members"
I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!
- Phillip J.
"So thankful for your expertise and professionalism"
Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.
- Mario H.
"Always ready to answer any questions I may have"
The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.
- Timothy M.
"The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service!"
The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.
- Malinda P.
Respect. Integrity. Passion.
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We Never Back Down
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