Experienced and Compassionate Legal Support for Child Sexual Abuse Victims

child sexual abuse lawyersChild sex abuse is a horrifically sad fact of life.  It is even more sad that all but a small percentage of child sex abuse victims are able to obtain justice either criminally or civilly.  As a law firm, since 1971, we have been honored to represent countless victims and their families in child sex abuse cases.  We have fought vigorously to raise awareness regarding the dangers of rapes and sexual assaults, particularly at sea on cruise ships, and in hotels around the world.  

Our firm has successfully resolved hundreds of child sex assault cases whether on a cruise ship, in a daycare, in foster care, or other similar settings.  This near limitless amount of experience in these types of cases make us the best choice to help you, your family or your loved one seek justice when a child sex assault or abuse occurs.   A child sexual abuse lawyer must have the fortitude and compassion to take on such a case. Children need to understand that they are protected, and the abuse was not their fault. Lipcon, Margulies, & Winkleman, P.A. has unparalleled experience and knowledge regarding child sexual abuse and assault and recovered well over $450 million on behalf of our clients. 

Common Places For Child Sexual Assaults

Child sexual assaults and abuse can happen anywhere regardless of gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status. Some common places for child sexual assault to occur, and where we can put our experience to work for you, include: 

Foster Care

Sadly, children in foster care are four times more likely to be sexually abused than their peers who are not in this setting. In the state of Florida, there is an epidemic of sexual abuse occurring. Numerous studies have shown the child welfare system in Florida is literally broken.

We are currently litigating several minor sex abuse cases involving Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). In each of these cases, minor children were physically, emotionally and sexually abused by foster parents that the DCF knew or should have known of the ongoing abuse.

Cruise Ships

Studies show that cruise ships are a common place for child sexual assaults. A third of the sexual assault victims on cruise ships were minors. In 2020, there were several news stories about child sexual assaults on cruise ships.  We are currently handling a case where we are suing Disney Cruise Lines for a 3-year-old child being sexually assaulted at the daycare center on the ship.  

Our firm also successfully handled the landmark case of K.T. vs Royal Caribbean Cruises, LTD, where a minor was raped on a cruise ship.  This important case resulted in an appellate opinion from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals that requires every cruise line to warn passengers about the significant risk of rapes and sexual assaults on their vessels.   

Lipcon, Margulies, & Winkleman, P.A. has decades of experience successfully representing cases similar to this and we have successfully handled well over 100 cases involving child sex abuse.  Let us put our experience to work for you.

Hotels

Hotels are a common location for child sex abuse, as they provide the perfect opportunity for predators to gain access to their victims. Children who are staying in hotels are often away from their parents or other adults who could protect them, and they may be unfamiliar with their surroundings. This makes them easy targets for predators who can strike quickly and without detection.

We have successfully handled numerous cases involving rapes and sexual assault at hotels and resorts around the world.  

We are currently representing a client in the case Doe v Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort Nassau Bahamas, which alleges that a minor was raped while staying at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas with her family.  In the early morning hours of April 4, 2021, T.H. briefly left her hotel room and went to the lobby to chat on the phone with a friend.  She left her room barefoot – expecting to be back in her room within a few minutes.  Shortly thereafter, however, a 58-year-old man Henry Richard “Ricky” Nixon targeted T.H and struck up a conversation in the hotel and lured her to a (closed) poolside cabana and then overpowered and raped her.  

The victim’s father immediately began to search for his daughter when it was discovered she was not in her room at that hour.  After pinpointing her location using a cellphone, he found Nixon raping his daughter in the cabana.  After the father ripped Nixon off, he found his daughter curled up on the ground, crying and in disarray, with her undergarments pushed to the side.  Security was immediately alerted and local authorities were notified.  

Nixon was apprehended later that day and charged with statutory rape. The lawsuit against Hyatt seeks damages for its negligent failure(s) to prevent the rape in light of the near total absence of any security at the hotel.   

As should be clear, we are willing, ready and able to take on the biggest companies in the world.  We will be a fierce advocate for you and your family.  

Day Care

Sadly, sexual assault is also a problem in day care centers. A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that of perpetrators who were child daycare providers, more than 20% committed sexual abuse. And in 2017 alone, 2,237 daycare providers were found to be abusing and neglecting children in their care. This means that thousands of children are being sexually assaulted each year by the very people who are supposed to be protecting them.

We have successfully handled several cases where children were sexually assaulted in a daycare setting.  Many of these cases resulted in settlements that include confidentiality clauses which thereby prevent the disclosure of the facts related to the case.  As noted above, we are currently handling a civil lawsuit against Disney Cruises related to the alleged sexual assault of a 3-year-old girl while in the daycare aboard a Disney cruise ship.    

There are clear, well-defined standards applicable to daycares in terms of proper monitoring of children.  We are very familiar with these standards and frequently utilize them in order to hold defendant(s) accountable.  

At Home or At Public Establishments

The victim or perpetrator’s home, as well as public establishments, are also common locations for child sexual abuse. Our attorneys understand the physical and mental toll of surviving a sexual assault. Throughout the hundreds of sexual violence cases we have successfully handled, our attorneys have had the honor of representing brave and incredible clients and their families. Our singular goal is to lead you to the justice you are rightfully entitled to so that you can focus on healing and recovery. A diverse background, education, and representation experience allow our 16 attorneys to effectively assist clients who have found themselves in these terrible circumstances.

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Statute of Limitations For Child Sexual Abuse Cases

The statute of limitations sets a specific deadline for pressing criminal charges or filing a civil lawsuit for child sex abuse. Many victims miss the window of the statute of limitations for obtaining justice due to trauma affecting them in a way that causes them to delay disclosure until they are older. The statute of limitations is when there is a window in which the child can take legal action against their abuser. That window varies state by state, and in terms of minors, the time to file typically does not start until the child turns 18. Some states have no statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, while others have a longer period of time within which to file a civil case. It is critically important to speak with an experienced child sex abuse attorney who can advise you of the applicable statute of limitations.  

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. can help guide you through the filing criminal charges and civil lawsuits to hold accountable those responsible for the heinous abuse you or your loved one endured. We stand by our mission of integrity first, compassion, and excellence in all we do. It is imperative to contact us to begin building your child’s case within the window of the statute of limitations to seek justice. 

FAQ

Our team has years of experience helping clients handle their child sexual abuse cases. As a result, we’re familiar with the many questions that you may have.  We hope that the following topics can serve as a reference point for you and your family at every stage of the process. Should your questions require a full consultation, you should not hesitate to contact us.  Remember, our consultation is always free.  

However, it can be difficult to find someone you trust to field your questions and set your mind at ease. After all, most people do not have the luxury of walking around with a lawyer in their pocket. We understand the challenge. That’s why we’ve put together a list of FAQs.

Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my child’s sexual abuse case?

Is it expensive to hire a lawyer?

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Experienced Legal Representation For Victims Of Sexual Abuse

Named to “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and World Report, our 14 attorneys have nearly 200 years combined of experience; our legal team can help guide you through litigation to help you determine the strength of your claim, the applicable laws governing your case, and the appropriate jurisdiction your case falls under. 

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. has successfully represented over 250 sexual assault cases. We have recovered more than $450 million for our clients, including many victims of sexual assault. Moreover, Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A offers free, confidential case evaluations. Our exclusive team of award-winning lawyers provides to a diverse clientele globally. Call 877-233-1238 today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.


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