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Denver Sexual Assault Lawyer

If you’ve experienced sexual assault in Denver, you deserve compassionate legal representation and the chance to pursue justice. At Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the trauma and pain that survivors face. We work with sexual assault victims to hold perpetrators and negligent third parties accountable through civil lawsuits. We handle your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Denver sexual assault lawyer who will listen to your story and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers Fights for Sexual Assault Survivors

Sexual assault survivors often feel alone and uncertain about their options. At Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping victims reclaim their power and obtain justice. Our team brings years of experience handling sexual assault and abuse cases across Denver and Colorado. We understand the unique challenges survivors face—from trauma and shame to confusion about the legal process.

We approach every case with a trauma-informed perspective. This means we recognize how assault affects your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We communicate with sensitivity and respect your pace throughout the legal process. Our attorneys work closely with medical professionals, counselors, and investigators to build strong cases that hold wrongdoers accountable.

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us anything upfront, and you only pay attorney fees if we recover compensation for you. This approach removes financial barriers and ensures we’re motivated to win your case. We also offer free consultations so you can discuss your situation without pressure or cost.

Your safety and healing matter to us. We handle your case with complete confidentiality and work to minimize additional stress during an already difficult time. When you choose Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers, you gain a legal team committed to your recovery and justice.

What Counts as Sexual Assault and Abuse in Colorado

Understanding what the law considers sexual assault helps you recognize whether you have a case. Colorado law defines sexual assault broadly to protect survivors in many situations.

Sexual assault occurs when someone engages in sexual contact or sexual intrusion without consent. This includes rape, forced sexual contact, and any non-consensual sexual act. The assault can happen through force, threat, or when the victim cannot consent due to incapacity (such as intoxication or unconsciousness).

Sexual abuse typically refers to unwanted sexual contact that may not rise to the level of assault. This includes inappropriate touching, groping, or sexual harassment that creates a hostile environment.

Sexual contact under Colorado law includes any touching of the genitals, anus, or breast with intent to arouse or gratify, or knowing it will offend or alarm the victim.

Sexual intrusion means any intrusion, however slight, of any object or body part into the genital or anal opening of another person without consent.

Statutory rape involves sexual contact with someone below the age of consent, regardless of whether they agreed to the contact.

Sexual assault can happen in many settings: at work, school, home, in vehicles, at hotels, or anywhere else. It can be committed by strangers, acquaintances, family members, authority figures, or people in positions of trust. The key factor is that the contact was non-consensual or the victim could not consent.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Assault

Many people and organizations can be held legally responsible for sexual assault beyond the perpetrator themselves. Understanding who can be sued helps you pursue full compensation.

The perpetrator is always liable for their own actions. However, they may not have assets to pay a judgment. This is why pursuing claims against other responsible parties matters.

Property owners and managers can be liable if they failed to provide adequate security or failed to warn about known dangers. Hotels, apartment complexes, parking garages, and other properties have a duty to protect guests and residents from foreseeable harm. If security was inadequate or management ignored warning signs, they can be held accountable through premises liability claims.

Employers can be liable for sexual assault committed by employees, especially if the employer knew about the perpetrator’s dangerous behavior and failed to take action. Negligent hiring, retention, or supervision of an employee who commits assault creates employer liability.

Schools and educational institutions have a duty to protect students from sexual assault. Schools can be liable for assault by teachers, coaches, staff members, or other students if the school knew or should have known about the danger and failed to protect students.

Religious institutions and youth organizations face similar liability when they fail to protect members from assault by clergy, volunteers, or staff. Many cases involve institutional cover-ups that enabled perpetrators to harm multiple victims.

Hotels and hospitality businesses can be liable for assault on their premises if security was inadequate. This includes assault by staff members or third parties who gained access due to poor security measures.

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft can be liable for assault by drivers or for inadequate safety measures. These companies have a duty to screen drivers and implement safety features.

Security companies hired to protect a property can be liable if they failed to provide adequate security or properly trained personnel.

Institutional Liability: Schools, Churches, and Organizations

Institutions often have deeper pockets than individual perpetrators, making them valuable defendants in civil cases. Many institutions also have insurance that covers abuse claims. When an institution knew about a dangerous person and failed to act, they bear responsibility for the harm that results.

Negligent Security and Property Owner Responsibility

Property owners must maintain reasonably safe premises. If a property owner knew or should have known that sexual assault was a foreseeable risk, they must take steps to prevent it. Inadequate lighting, broken locks, missing security cameras, or a lack of security personnel can all contribute to negligent security liability.

Sexual assault and sexual abuse have life-long consequences for survivors. By pursuing a case with the help of an experienced and compassionate sexual assault lawyer, you may find closure, help others, and hold predators and their enablers accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Reporting Your Assault vs Filing a Civil Claim

Many survivors wonder whether they should report to police and how that relates to filing a civil lawsuit. Understanding the difference between criminal and civil cases helps you make informed decisions.

Criminal prosecution is handled by the government. A prosecutor decides whether to charge the perpetrator with a crime. The goal is to punish the offender through imprisonment or other penalties. Criminal cases require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is a very high standard. The victim doesn’t control the case—the prosecutor does. Criminal cases can take years and may not result in conviction.

Civil lawsuits are filed by the victim (or their attorney) against the person or organization responsible. The goal is to obtain financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Civil cases require proof by a “preponderance of the evidence,” which is a lower standard than criminal cases. You control your case and can settle at any time. Civil cases often move faster than criminal cases.

You can file a civil claim without a criminal case. Many survivors choose to pursue civil claims even if they don’t report to police or if criminal charges are dropped. A civil case doesn’t depend on criminal prosecution. You can recover money damages even if the perpetrator is never convicted of a crime.

Reporting to police is optional. Some survivors choose to report; others don’t. Reporting can help preserve evidence and create an official record, but it’s not required to file a civil lawsuit. You have the right to decide whether to involve law enforcement.

Confidentiality differs between cases. Criminal cases are public record. Civil cases can often be settled confidentially, which means the terms and your identity may be kept private. This appeals to many survivors who value privacy during their recovery.

Can You Sue Without a Criminal Case?

Yes. Civil and criminal cases are separate legal processes. You don’t need a criminal conviction to win a civil case. In fact, many sexual assault civil cases proceed without any criminal charges or conviction. The lower burden of proof in civil cases makes it easier to hold wrongdoers accountable financially.

What Damages Can You Recover

Sexual assault causes real, measurable harm. Colorado law allows survivors to recover compensation for these losses through civil lawsuits.

Medical expenses include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing medical care related to your injuries. This covers both physical injuries and medical treatment for trauma-related conditions.

Mental health treatment is a major component of recovery. Therapy, counseling, psychiatric care, and medication for PTSD, depression, and anxiety are all recoverable damages. Many survivors need years of treatment to heal.

Lost wages cover income you lost because of the assault and its aftermath. This includes time off work for medical appointments, therapy, court appearances, and time when you were unable to work due to trauma symptoms.

Pain and suffering compensates you for physical pain, emotional distress, and the non-financial impact of the assault on your quality of life. This is often the largest component of a settlement or judgment.

Emotional distress damages recognize the psychological harm caused by the assault, including anxiety, fear, shame, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of quality of life covers the ways the assault has changed your daily life—difficulty sleeping, loss of relationships, inability to engage in activities you enjoyed, and other lifestyle impacts.

Punitive damages are awarded in cases involving particularly egregious conduct. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are available when the defendant’s conduct was willful and wanton or showed reckless disregard for others’ rights.

Future damages account for ongoing medical care, therapy, lost earning capacity, and other long-term impacts of the assault.

Colorado’s Statute of Limitations: Time Limits for Your Claim

Time limits exist for filing sexual assault claims. Understanding these deadlines is critical because missing them can prevent you from recovering compensation.

IMPORTANT: Colorado has some of the strongest survivor protection laws in the country. Under the Colorado Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, there is effectively no statute of limitations for civil claims regarding sexual assaults that occurred on or after January 1, 2022. For assaults that occurred prior to 2022, the law still provides significantly extended filing windows. Do not assume it is ‘too late’ to seek justice, even if the assault happened years ago. Call us to confirm the specific timeline for your case.

Criminal statute of limitations for sexual assault in Colorado is 20 years from the date of the offense. This applies to criminal prosecution, not civil claims.

Discovery rule: In some cases, the statute of limitations clock may not start until you discover the injury was caused by the assault. This is particularly important for survivors who didn’t immediately recognize the connection between their injuries and the assault, or who suppressed memories of the trauma.

Child abuse exceptions: If you were assaulted as a child, different rules may apply. Many states have extended or eliminated statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims.

Why time matters: Even if you’re within the statute of limitations, evidence degrades over time. Memories fade, witnesses become unavailable, and physical evidence is lost. The sooner you contact a Denver sexual assault lawyer, the stronger your case will be. We can help preserve evidence and build a compelling claim.

Why Time Matters: Don’t Wait to File

Every day that passes makes your case harder to prove. Witnesses move away or forget details. Medical records get lost. Evidence deteriorates. Your memories may become less clear. Don’t delay—contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to discuss your situation and protect your legal rights.

What to Do Now: Your Action Checklist

If you’ve experienced sexual assault, taking the right steps immediately can strengthen your case and protect your health. Here’s what you should do:

• Ensure your safety. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. Remove yourself from the situation and go to a safe location.

• Seek medical attention. Go to an emergency room or urgent care facility. Medical professionals can treat injuries, test for sexually transmitted infections, and document evidence. You don’t have to decide whether to report to police before seeking medical care.

• Report to police (optional). Reporting creates an official record and can help preserve evidence. However, reporting is your choice. You can file a civil lawsuit without reporting to police.

• Document everything. Write down details while they’re fresh: the date, time, and location of the assault; what happened; who was present; what the perpetrator looked like; and any injuries you sustained. Include names and contact information for any witnesses.

• Preserve evidence. Don’t shower, bathe, or change clothes if possible—this preserves physical evidence. Keep any clothing, bedding, or other items that may contain evidence. Save text messages, emails, or other communications related to the assault.

• Seek counseling and support. Contact a sexual assault crisis center or counselor. Many offer free or low-cost services. Counseling helps with trauma recovery and creates documentation of your injuries.

• Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Call (720) 613-9706 to speak with a Denver sexual assault lawyer. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect. There’s no cost and no obligation.

• Don’t discuss your case on social media. Avoid posting about the assault or your case on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other platforms. Anything you post can be used against you in legal proceedings.

Immediate Steps to Protect Your Case

The first hours and days after an assault are critical. Taking these steps protects your health, preserves evidence, and strengthens your legal case. Don’t worry about making perfect decisions—focus on your safety and well-being. Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers will guide you through the legal process.

The language of SB88 allows surviving victims of sexual misconduct that happened between January 1, 1960 and January 1, 2022 to undertake a lawsuit before January 1, 2025. For those who are abused on or after January 1, 2022, there is no limitation on the time to bring a claim for sexual misconduct.

Colorado is ushering in a brighter future for children to grow up and take control of their histories, their bodies, and their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Assault Claims in Denver

How much does it cost to hire a sexual assault lawyer?

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We only collect attorney fees if we recover compensation for you through settlement or judgment. Our fees come from the money we recover, so we’re motivated to win your case. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss our fee structure and answer any questions about costs.

Do I have to go to trial?

No. Most sexual assault cases settle before trial. Settlement means you and the defendant agree on a compensation amount, and the case ends without going to court. Settlement is often faster and less stressful than trial. However, if the defendant won’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial and fight for you in front of a judge or jury.

What if I don’t remember all the details?

Many survivors don’t remember everything about the assault, especially if they were intoxicated, drugged, or in shock. This is normal and doesn’t prevent you from having a case. We can work with you to piece together what you do remember. Medical records, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence can fill in gaps. Your attorney will help you prepare for any questions about memory gaps.

Can I sue if the assault happened years ago?

It depends on Colorado’s current statute of limitations for your specific situation. Some claims have extended deadlines, especially for childhood abuse. Even if the statute of limitations has passed for a civil claim, you may still have other legal options. Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers immediately to discuss your situation. We’ll review the timeline and explain what claims are available to you.

Will my case be confidential?

Civil cases can often be settled confidentially. This means the settlement terms and your identity may be kept private. Confidential settlements appeal to many survivors who value privacy. However, if your case goes to trial, court proceedings are public record. We’ll discuss confidentiality options during your consultation.

What if the perpetrator doesn’t have money?

This is why pursuing claims against third parties matters. Property owners, employers, schools, and other institutions often have insurance and deeper pockets than individual perpetrators. We investigate all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery. Even if the perpetrator has limited assets, we can pursue claims against negligent property owners, employers, or institutions.

How long does a sexual assault case take?

Timeline varies depending on the case. Simple cases with clear liability and insurance coverage may settle within months. Complex cases involving multiple defendants or disputed facts may take longer. Most cases settle within 1-2 years. If your case goes to trial, add several more months. We’ll give you a realistic timeline estimate after reviewing your specific situation.

Do I need to report to police to file a civil claim?

No. You can file a civil lawsuit without reporting to police. Criminal and civil cases are separate. However, a police report can be helpful evidence in your civil case. We’ll discuss whether reporting makes sense for your situation.

What if I was assaulted by someone I knew?

You can still file a civil claim. Many assaults are committed by people the victim knows—acquaintances, friends, family members, or authority figures. The fact that you knew the perpetrator doesn’t prevent you from suing. In some cases, it may strengthen your claim because you can provide detailed information about the perpetrator and the circumstances.

Can I get punitive damages?

Punitive damages are available in cases involving particularly egregious conduct—when the defendant’s actions were willful, wanton, or showed reckless disregard for others’ rights. Punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. We’ll evaluate whether punitive damages are available in your case.

Download a copy of the “The Life-Long Impact of Sexual Abuse” here.

Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Free Consultation

You don’t have to face this alone. Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you pursue justice and recover the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations with no obligation. During your consultation, we’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.

Our team has recovered millions of dollars for sexual assault survivors. We understand the trauma you’ve experienced and the courage it takes to pursue a claim. We’re committed to treating you with respect and compassion throughout the legal process.
Call (720) 613-9706 today to schedule your free consultation. We’re available to discuss your case and help you take the next step toward justice and healing.