Suing Abuser for Damages

Someone who has a legal wrong committed against them may have a right to seek justice from the abuser through the court system. When people are injured by others, they may be permitted to seek what the law refers to as “damages,” in the form of money, for such things as medical bills, lost wages or employment, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and, in some cases, to punish the abuser. Each state has its own laws on these subjects, but, for the most part, they are very similar when it comes to injuries from abuse.

To sue someone, people often need the help of a lawyer. Some lawyers will take a case like this for a “contingency fee.” That means the lawyer doesn’t get paid for his/her time unless the plaintiff wins in court, and then s/he takes some percent, usually a third, of whatever damages the judge orders (however, with contingency fee cases, the plaintiff may still have to pay for the attorney’s costs to bring the lawsuit, such as filing fees, postage, copying, etc.). In some states, sometimes the judge will order the defendant to pay the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees.

If you need help in finding a lawyer who can take your case for a contingency fee, you may want to try contacting the National Crime Victim Bar Association. You can call their Lawyer Referral Line @ (202) 467-8716, or you can use their Attorney Referral Request form.

You might also call a lawyer referral service in your area to search for private lawyers who take cases like this. [HYPERLINK]

If a person’s damages are below a certain amount, s/he may be able to file on his/her own in small claims court. Small claims court is a less formal type of court, and many people are able to go to small claims court without the help of an attorney. You can read some information on small claims court, [HYPERLINK] including how much money you can ask for in small claims court in your state, on our website.