What Sexual Assault Victims Need to Know About the Civil Claims Process in Florida

Were you or your loved one the victim of sexual assault? That is a serious criminal act. The perpetrator should be arrested and prosecuted. Beyond the criminal justice system, you may also be able to bring a civil claim for compensation. Sexual assault victims can hold all responsible parties accountable for the terrible violation that they endured. Here our Miami sexual assault lawyer for victims highlights the key points that you should know about the claims process.

Victims Have the Right to Seek Compensation (Economic and Non-Economic Damages)

A sexual assault is a terrible violation of your personal autonomy. After a sexual assault, victims often face overwhelming emotional, physical, and financial burdens. Florida law gives survivors the right to pursue compensation through the civil justice system. To start, this includes economic damages, such as medical expenses, counseling costs, and lost wages. Sexual assault victims can also pursue compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional trauma. To be clear, compensation is not about “putting a price” on your experience. It is about helping you access resources to heal and rebuild your life.

You Can Sue the Perpetrator as well as Negligent Third Parties

Civil claims are not limited to the person who committed the assault. In Florida, victims may also bring claims against third parties whose negligence contributed to the attack. Along with other parties, this may include employers, property owners, schools, or businesses that failed to provide proper security or ignored warning signs. These cases are about accountability. There are often third parties that dropped the ball to allow the attack to occur. They must be pursued in a civil claim. Victims deserve justice.

You Must Prove Liability, but Civil Claims are Not Subject to the Reasonable Doubt Standard

In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Civil claims operate under a different, less burdensome standard: a “preponderance of the evidence.” This means that you must show it is more likely than not that the defendant is liable. While proving liability can still feel intimidating, survivors should know that the law provides a more accessible path to justice in civil court. You do not need absolute certainty or flawless evidence to impose civil liability.

There is a Strict Statute of Limitations (but More Relaxed for Child Victims)

Civil claims in Florida are time-sensitive. Survivors generally have a limited period to file a lawsuit, and missing that deadline could bar recovery. However, the law recognizes the unique challenges sexual assault victims face. For child victims, the statute of limitations is far more relaxed, giving them more time to come forward. In Florida, most adult sexual‑assault survivors have four years to file a civil claim, counted from the last act of abuse, from when they leave the dependency of the abuser, or from when they discover the injury and its cause. There is no statute of limitations for victims who were under 16 years of age at the time of the abuse.

Speak to Our Miami Sexual Assault Lawyer for Victims Today

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami sexual assault attorney for victims is a compassionate, experienced advocate for justice. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual violence, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online for a free case review. With an office in Miami, our firm represents victims in civil claims throughout all of South Florida.