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Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law
Serving Northwest Louisiana for 25 Years 318-633-0186
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Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Shreveport Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Sexual Abuse Survivors Can Call On Us

Were you sexually abused by someone in a position of authority, like an educator, coach, clergy member, or law enforcement officer? You might be able to hold both the criminal offender and any institution that harbored them accountable through a civil claim. In fact, Louisiana law was recently updated to allow child sexual abuse survivors more time to file lawsuits by extending the civil lookback window until June 14, 2027.

To see if you have the grounds and legal validity to file a sexual abuse claim, let Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law in Shreveport lead the way. We combine trusted legal counsel with genuine compassion that acknowledges the sensitive nature of your situation and potential lawsuit. You can even talk to us about keeping yourself anonymous and your case confidential based on the allowances made by the law. No matter what, we want to help you find a path to closure through a successful injury claim.

Call (318) 633-0186 to schedule a free, confidential case consultation.

What is Louisiana’s Sexual Abuse Lookback Window?

Louisiana Senate Bill 246 was passed to extend the state’s lookback window for previously time-barred child sexual abuse claims to June 14, 2027. This extension acknowledges that most survivors of childhood sexual abuse are traumatized by the abuse and struggle to speak up, even well into adulthood.

Important details of Louisiana’s sexual abuse lookback window and statute of limitations are:

  • If the sexual abuse occurred on or after June 14, 2021, there is no deadline to file a lawsuit.
  • If the abuse occurred before June 14, 2021, you might be able to still file a lawsuit if you qualify under the lookback window or if your claim was valid before the SB 246 updates.
  • If you were 28 or older before June 14, 2021, and your sexual abuse claim had previously been time-barred, you can now file until June 14, 2027.
  • Adult survivors of sexual abuse who do not qualify for the lookback window or a special statute of limitations usually have only one year to start a claim.

Not sure if you qualify to file a sexual abuse lawsuit? Understandably, the statutes of limitations and the legislation around such cases can seem complicated. To get a clear answer, it’s simple: call (318) 633-0186 and speak with our Shreveport sexual abuse lawsuit attorneys.

We Can File Against Any Sexual Offender or Organization

The average sexual abuse lawsuit isn’t filed against just the sexual offender. Instead, most claims also name the organization, employer, or group that harbored or enabled them to sexually abuse others. Furthermore, such an organization can be named if its negligence failed to prevent the sexual abuse when reasonable action likely would have.

At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law, we aren’t intimidated by any defendant. Thanks to our experience, resources, and fighting spirit, we are always ready to file against any organization or institution that allowed a sexual offender to abuse others, including children, churchgoers, and employees.

Our legal team has the experience and resources needed to file sexual abuse cases against:

  • Churches and religious organizations (clergy abuse)
  • Foster care systems and residential homes
  • Juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities (peace officer abuse) 
  • Public and private schools (teacher or coach abuse)
  • Sports leagues and after-school programs (coach and mentor abuse)
  • Youth treatment programs and group homes

Are Criminal Charges Required to File a Sex Abuse Lawsuit?

The civil court system and criminal justice system are kept intentionally separate, including at a court level. For this reason, you can still file a sexual abuse claim or lawsuit against a sexual offender and any institution that harbored them even if that offender never faced charges.

Even if the person who sexually abused you was prosecuted and found not guilty, you still have the right to pursue a civil claim. The evidential requirements are different in civil and criminal courts (‘preponderance of evidence’ vs. ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’ respectively), so don’t assume that your case is finished before it starts. Always check with our Shreveport sexual abuse lawyers to know if and how you can start a claim.

What Damages Are Available in a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

A sexual abuse lawsuit is a type of civil lawsuit, albeit one that is about a very serious criminal offense. As a civil lawsuit, it allows you to seek the same damages that you can seek in most personal injury claims.

Our attorneys may be able to demand compensation on your behalf that helps pay for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Past and future mental health care expenses
  • Lost wages or lost earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional and psychological trauma
  • Lessened enjoyment of life

If the institution that harbored the sexual offender had a long history of ignoring reports of sexual abuse, as has been the case for many Catholic Dioceses that have been brought to court in recent years, it might be possible to request punitive damages, too. A court can approve punitive damages when the defendant acts with egregious negligence or wanton disregard for the safety of others.

Let Our Firm Stand With You – Call Now

People depend on us for their tough legal cases because:

  • We have more than 25 years of experience handling complex injury claims.
  • We have earned numerous positive testimonials from past clients.
  • We combined compassionate legal counsel with trustworthy professionalism.
  • We offer contingency fees – you don’t have to pay attorney fees unless we win your case.

Do you want to speak up about the sexual abuse you have endured, possibly since childhood? Please know that Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law and our Shreveport sexual abuse attorneys are always standing by to offer our legal counsel and moral support. We believe in the importance of holding sexual offenders accountable, which includes penalizing the institutions or groups that protect or enable them. Let us show you what our team can do by reaching out today.

Contact our firm online or call (318) 633-0186 to get more information about how to start a sexual abuse claim with confidence.

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