Huntington Beach Sexual Assault Lawyer
Huntington Beach Sexual Assault Attorney
Sexual assault is traumatic, and no victim should have to suffer in silence. If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted in Huntington Beach, a knowledgeable Huntington Beach sexual assault lawyer can help you file a civil claim against the perpetrator to recover financial compensation for your injuries.
In addition to emotional and physical recovery, you are also entitled to justice, and legal intervention can be an important part of that process. Whether the assault occurred in a private home, in the workplace, or at an institution, you have the right to consider legal recourse. Easton & Easton can stand with you.
Why Hire a Sexual Assault Lawyer From Easton & Easton?
Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes. If you have the courage to speak up about your assault, we want you to know that you are not alone. At Easton & Easton, we have over 100 years of collective experience and a firm-wide reputation for passionate, aggressive, and compassionate representation that puts you and your voice first.
We understand how to handle these cases with the delicacy and privacy they deserve. We have already helped thousands of survivors across Southern California seek justice through civil claims, and we know what we are doing.
At Easton & Easton, we listen, we believe you, and we fight to make sure the right person, employer, or institution is held accountable.
Understanding Civil vs. Criminal Sexual Assault Cases
Sexual assault survivors in Huntington Beach can seek justice in both criminal and civil court. The state files a criminal case, and if the offender is convicted, they may face jail time or other punishment. A civil case is initiated by the survivor, who can then seek financial compensation from the offender for things like emotional trauma, therapy, medical bills, and lost wages.
A civil case can be filed irrespective of whether a criminal conviction exists. The burden of proof in civil court is also a lesser burden. In other words, a person does not have to prove someone’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” in order to achieve a positive outcome.
If you’re considering filing a civil claim, your case would likely be heard at the West Justice Center in Westminster (8141 13th Street, Westminster, CA 92683), which handles matters for Huntington Beach.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Sexual Assault Claim?
The obvious party in a sexual assault case is the perpetrator. Legal responsibility can extend to additional parties beyond the direct perpetrator in a sexual assault case. Civil actions can be pursued against an employer for not taking action in response to a workplace sexual harassment issue, against a landlord for not remedying a dangerous situation, against a school for not protecting its students, or against an organization for not taking action against a known predator.
Third parties can be held liable in these situations if their actions or inactions played a role in the assault or if they allowed the assault to take place. An experienced attorney examines every potential perspective to discover all liable parties. Recovering damages from institutions can help you, but it can also help others by bringing systemic problems to light and demanding reform.
How a Huntington Beach Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help
Working with a compassionate, experienced sexual assault attorney is one way to help you regain your power. Your Huntington Beach personal injury attorney can walk you through each step of the civil legal process, starting by listening to you, protecting your confidentiality, and explaining your legal rights. They can then investigate the incident by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with professionals, if necessary.
Throughout the process, your attorney can serve as a persistent advocate who’ll negotiate a settlement or move your case to trial, if necessary, to ensure justice. When you choose Easton & Easton, you hire a sexual assault lawyer who is focused on your recovery and your voice.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Sexual Assault Case?
A: A criminal case is pursued by the government to punish the perpetrator of the crime. A civil case is pursued by the survivor to obtain financial compensation. You can file a civil claim even if criminal charges are not filed.
In civil court, the perpetrator and institutions are held accountable for damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical costs, with a lower burden of proof than in criminal court.
Q: Can I File a Civil Claim if Criminal Charges Weren’t Filed?
A: Civil cases don’t rely on the state’s decision to file criminal charges. A civil claim remains possible without a criminal conviction against the accused. It can enable you to take legal action against the perpetrator or negligent third parties for your injuries and losses.
These types of claims exist to secure financial recovery for victims. Civil courts also don’t use the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard, so civil cases are an important and effective option for survivors.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit in California?
A: California has lengthened the statute of limitations for civil sexual assault cases. In general, survivors have 10 years from the date of the assault or three years from the discovery of a related injury to file a claim. Deadlines vary based on individual circumstances, such as whether the survivor was a minor at the time of the abuse. Contact a Huntington Beach sexual assault attorney as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed on time.
Q: Do I Need Evidence to File a Civil Sexual Assault Claim?
A: A civil claim can proceed without tangible evidence if there is other strong evidence to support your case. Your testimony, medical records, statements from witnesses, and a history of institutional negligence can all back your claim. The standard of proof for civil suits is called a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the sexual assault occurred.
An experienced attorney helps to assemble evidence, which creates a convincing case for the court.
Contact a Huntington Beach Sexual Assault Lawyer
In the 2022–2023 fiscal year, California’s Victim Compensation Board received 3,082 applications from survivors of sexual assault. If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted, you have the right to support, safety, and justice. You are not alone.
At Easton & Easton, we are here to help you understand your legal options and fight for real accountability. Our compassionate team can stand with you every step of the way. Call a Huntington Beach sexual assault lawyer today to arrange a confidential consultation and start your journey to recovery.
Huntington Beach, CA Sexual Assault Resources
Our Huntington Beach, CA Law Firm Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “From start to finish, Easton & Easton took great care of me. I could not be happier with their level of attention and service. They fought for me and they’ll fight for you. Their knowledge, experience and care is unmatched. Thanks Travis and team! – Youngha Kim
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Easton & Easton was a very professional firm, helped us with the entire case from start to finish, answered any questions we had and made sure to stay in touch with us all along the way.” – Alejandro Lopez
Your Story Is Important To Us.
CALL US SO WE CAN HEAR IT.
The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by OC Register Voters as "The Best Law Firm in Orange County” each year since voting began in 2022.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California by the National Trial Lawyers — a membership organization limited to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, Gabe and Mani have each been selected to "Best Lawyers" for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers selects the Top 5% of attorneys based on peer voting and client reviews.
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Travis, Mani, Gabe and Brenda have all been selected among Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars in Southern California.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in America™ through the results achieved for their clients (an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States).
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
We were recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a the #1 Personal Injury Settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt, Travis, Gabe, Mani and Brenda have all been selected at some point as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Easton & Easton was honored for securing a $20,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Easton & Easton was honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018-2020 (each year the voting took place).
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
No purchase was required for selection. Selection methodologies available upon request.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
“Client testimonials reflect individual experiences; results vary. No guarantee of outcome.”
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
Contact
Contact
ES