You Have Legal Options Beyond the Criminal System
If you were sexually assaulted and want to know whether you can hold someone financially accountable — the answer is often yes, even if criminal charges were never filed.
Civil Claims and Criminal Cases Are Two Different Paths
A criminal case asks whether someone goes to prison. A civil claim asks whether you receive financial compensation for what was done to you. These are separate legal processes, and one does not control the other. If a prosecutor declined to charge, if charges were dropped, or if the person who hurt you was acquitted, a civil lawsuit can still move forward.
The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case. Rather than proving guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt," civil claims require showing that it is more likely than not that the harm occurred and that someone is responsible for it. That distinction matters — and it is why survivors who felt shut out by the criminal system often have a clear path forward in civil court.
The Person Who Hurt You May Not Be the Only One Responsible
In many sexual assault cases, a third party shares legal responsibility for what happened. Property owners, employers, schools, security companies, and other institutions can be held liable when their negligence created conditions that allowed an assault to occur.
We evaluate every potential avenue of liability in every case we take:
- Negligent security — venues, apartment complexes, parking garages, and event spaces that failed to provide adequate lighting, working locks, or security personnel
- Employer liability — workplaces that ignored prior complaints, failed to investigate, or allowed a known offender to remain in a position of access
- Institutional liability — schools, churches, and organizations that concealed misconduct or failed to act on warning signs
- Premises liability — property owners whose negligence made an assault possible
- Rideshare and transportation company liability — when an assault occurs in a vehicle operated under a company's platform
Identifying every responsible party is not just about maximizing recovery. It is about holding every entity accountable for the role it played.
Civil Sexual Assault Claims Are Distinct from Title IX Cases
If you were assaulted in an educational setting, you may have heard about Title IX. Title IX is a federal law that requires schools to respond to sexual misconduct — and it creates a separate accountability process focused on institutional conduct and policy compliance.
A civil personal injury claim is different. It seeks money damages for the harm you suffered, and it can be filed against an individual, an institution, or both. The two paths are not mutually exclusive. In some cases, pursuing both makes sense. We can help you understand which applies to your situation and what each process looks like in practice.
Our Title IX representation is described on a separate page for clients whose cases are specifically rooted in an educational institution's failure to respond.
Why Survivors Choose a Women-Run Firm for These Cases
We know that choosing a lawyer for a sexual assault civil claim is not the same as choosing a lawyer for a car accident. The stakes are different. The vulnerability is different. And the way a firm handles your case from the first phone call forward matters in ways that go beyond legal strategy.
MPG Trial Law is entirely women-run. We do not approach sensitive cases with skepticism. We do not require you to justify what happened before we listen. We have built our practice to be accessible to clients who have already been through something that no one should have to go through, and we take seriously the responsibility that comes with that.
We are also proud members of the Stonewall Bar Association, and we actively serve LGBTQ+ survivors who have found other firms unwilling to engage with the specific dynamics their cases involve.
We Believe You — and We Know How to Prove It
Believing a client and building a case that holds up in litigation are not in conflict. We do both. Our approach is to take your account seriously from the start while simultaneously gathering the documentation, witness statements, records, and expert support needed to prove liability and damages in court.
Judgment-Free from the First Call Forward
You will not be asked to minimize what happened, explain your choices, or prove your credibility before we agree to speak with you. Consultations for sexual assault civil claims are handled with full discretion, and we offer virtual meetings for clients who prefer not to come into an office.
Trial Experience When It Counts
Civil sexual assault cases sometimes settle. Sometimes they go to trial. We prepare every case as if it will be decided by a jury, because that preparation is what creates leverage in settlement negotiations and what protects you if the case does not settle. Our firm has secured a $4 million jury trial verdict and has recovered more than $16 million for clients since 2019.
Serving Survivors Across Georgia, Including West Georgia
We represent clients throughout Atlanta and the surrounding metro area, as well as clients in West Georgia communities including Carrollton, Douglasville, Villa Rica, and Newnan. Virtual consultations are available statewide, and we will come to you when in-person meetings are needed.
What a Civil Sexual Assault Claim Can Recover
Financial recovery in a civil sexual assault case can include compensation for a wide range of harms:
- Medical expenses, including therapy, counseling, and ongoing mental health treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, in cases where the defendant's conduct was especially egregious
The specific damages available in your case depend on the facts, the defendants involved, and Georgia law. We will give you a clear picture of what your case may be worth during your consultation.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
You do not need to have everything figured out before you call. Many clients contact us without knowing whether they have a case, how long ago the statute of limitations runs, or who might be liable. That is exactly what the consultation is for.
When you reach out, here is what happens:
- A member of our team responds promptly — we do not leave sensitive inquiries sitting in a queue
- You speak with someone who understands the nature of these cases and treats your situation accordingly
- We review the facts, explain your options, and tell you honestly whether we believe you have a viable civil claim
- If we take your case, we handle it on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover for you
There is no pressure and no obligation. The consultation exists so you can get real answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue someone civilly for sexual assault in Georgia even if they were never charged criminally?
Yes. Civil and criminal cases are entirely separate legal proceedings. A civil lawsuit does not require a criminal charge, conviction, or even an arrest. The civil burden of proof is lower than the criminal standard, which means cases that could not be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt" in criminal court can still succeed in a civil claim.How long do I have to file a civil sexual assault claim in Georgia?
Georgia's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions that may apply — particularly in cases involving minors or delayed discovery of harm. Do not assume your time has passed without speaking to an attorney first.What if I can't afford a lawyer for a sexual assault civil case?
We handle sexual assault civil claims on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. There is no upfront cost to retain us or to have a consultation.Who else besides the person who assaulted me might be liable?
Depending on where and how the assault occurred, a property owner, employer, school, security company, or other institution may share legal responsibility. We investigate third-party liability in every case — including negligent security, failure to act on prior complaints, and inadequate supervision or oversight.Do I have to meet in person to work with MPG Trial Law?
No. We offer virtual consultations and can conduct much of the case process remotely. For clients in West Georgia and across the state, this means you can work with our firm without traveling to Atlanta. We will discuss what makes the most sense for your situation during your initial consultation.
