Sex Abuse Lawyer

WEBVTT 00:00:03.378 --> 00:00:07.715 A lot of our practice is dedicated to individuals 00:00:08.132 --> 00:00:11.885 who have been victims of sexual abuse. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:17.723 With sexual abuse, most people look to the criminal justice system 00:00:18.182 --> 00:00:23.394 and expect that they're going to get some sort of justice from that. 00:00:24.062 --> 00:00:27.523 Unfortunately, what we find time and time again, 00:00:27.898 --> 00:00:30.692 is that the criminal justice system 00:00:30.776 --> 00:00:36.072 is concerned about the state and not about the individual. 00:00:36.530 --> 00:00:39.992 The criminal justice system is not victim-oriented. 00:00:40.701 --> 00:00:43.328 The civil justice system, however, is. 00:00:43.828 --> 00:00:47.498 It's oftentimes that the victim of sexual abuse 00:00:47.581 --> 00:00:53.837 can only really get their particular case and their concerns heard about 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:59.299 by bringing a civil claim against an individual or an entity 00:00:59.383 --> 00:01:01.843 that's responsible for that sexual abuse. 00:01:02.260 --> 00:01:06.472 We bring claims for victims who've been abused by individuals, 00:01:07.139 --> 00:01:10.058 but also entities like schools, 00:01:10.392 --> 00:01:13.520 players who've been victimized by coaches, 00:01:13.978 --> 00:01:18.524 and individuals who have been caught in a system like the foster care system 00:01:18.857 --> 00:01:20.942 where no one is watching. 00:01:22.068 --> 00:01:24.946 Sadly enough, that's where predators are. 00:01:25.196 --> 00:01:28.532 There is no one that's too big for Cochran Douglas 00:01:28.907 --> 00:01:30.242 to bring a claim against. 00:01:30.534 --> 00:01:35.717 That means we get to ask the hard questions of the people in power 00:01:35.800 --> 00:01:39.458 who should have protected kids from sexual abuse. 00:01:39.917 --> 00:01:44.962 Washington State has the ability— it's called the statute of limitations— 00:01:45.254 --> 00:01:48.090 to really look at a variety of different factors 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:53.386 which may make a claim that is old, maybe even decades old, 00:01:53.470 --> 00:01:59.349 still relevant today, and still allowed to be brought in today's judicial system. 00:01:59.892 --> 00:02:03.144 Victims of sexual abuse will call us and say, 00:02:03.246 --> 00:02:05.897 "I don't have any evidence of what happened. 00:02:06.355 --> 00:02:07.857 Can I still bring a claim?" 00:02:08.357 --> 00:02:09.358 Absolutely. 00:02:09.525 --> 00:02:13.653 Determining the value of a sex abuse claim is very difficult. 00:02:14.153 --> 00:02:17.198 It's something that is very individually based, 00:02:17.573 --> 00:02:20.492 and that's why we're here to help guide you along 00:02:20.575 --> 00:02:22.369 and try and understand what that is. 00:02:22.786 --> 00:02:27.748 Sometimes, the only way you can get value for a sex abuse claim 00:02:27.832 --> 00:02:28.920 is in front of a jury, 00:02:29.003 --> 00:02:33.127 and that's why we encourage people who have claims of sexual abuse 00:02:33.211 --> 00:02:36.617 to call us, and we'll help navigate through that process 00:02:36.922 --> 00:02:40.092 and determine ultimately what the claim is worth. 00:02:40.342 --> 00:02:43.261 The most important thing for us at Cochrane Douglas 00:02:43.344 --> 00:02:46.931 when dealing with someone who has a sexual abuse claim 00:02:47.389 --> 00:02:50.225 is to make sure that they're getting the help they need. 00:02:50.809 --> 00:02:53.645 If it's a matter of reporting it to the authorities 00:02:53.978 --> 00:02:55.897 or getting some sort of therapy, 00:02:56.063 --> 00:02:58.357 that is the most important part. 00:02:58.816 --> 00:03:00.567 Sexual abuse cases, 00:03:00.651 --> 00:03:05.725 especially those against a third-party entity or organization, 00:03:05.822 --> 00:03:06.989 are hard fought. 00:03:07.073 --> 00:03:08.365 There's no doubt about it. 00:03:08.760 --> 00:03:12.452 That's why it's important to have a firm like Cochran Douglas 00:03:12.827 --> 00:03:14.621 who's not afraid to go to trial, 00:03:14.829 --> 00:03:18.082 who's not afraid to ask the difficult questions 00:03:18.415 --> 00:03:21.793 in order to ultimately get the justice that you deserve.