What Compensation Can Victims of Assault in Sebastopol Recover? 

Surviving an assault, whether physical, sexual, or otherwise violent, is an experience that can leave deep emotional and physical scars. The pain doesn't stop with the attack itself. It can continue through ongoing medical treatment, psychological trauma, time away from work, and the sense of fear or loss of security that may follow for years. 

If you or someone you love has been assaulted in Sebastopol or anywhere in Sonoma County, you may be entitled to more than just criminal justice; you may also be eligible for financial compensation through a civil personal injury claim. At Flahavan Law, we understand the sensitivity of these cases. With over 20 years of experience advocating for victims, we are here to help you find your voice, pursue accountability, and begin the healing process with strength and support. 

Assault Is a Crime and Can Be Grounds for Civil Compensation 

While the criminal justice system is designed to punish the assailant, it typically does not offer financial compensation to victims. That’s where a civil claim for damages comes in. If someone intentionally harms you, or if a third party's negligence enabled the assault to happen, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. 

Your attacker can, and should, be held directly accountable. However, in many assault cases, the attacker alone may not have the resources to compensate you adequately. That’s why it’s essential to explore all potential sources of liability. 

Who Can Be Held Liable After an Assault? 

Liability in assault cases isn’t always limited to the attacker. In many cases, a third party’s negligence creates an environment where the assault becomes more likely or goes unaddressed. Under California law, property owners, employers, and businesses can be held civilly liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to protect you from foreseeable harm. 

Examples of Third-Party Liability in Assault Cases: 

• A property owner who failed to provide adequate lighting or security in a parking garage where an assault occurred. 
• A bar or nightclub that overserved a patron who later attacked someone. 
• A landlord who ignored prior reports of violence or threats from a tenant. 
• A school or daycare that failed to supervise staff or students properly. 
• An employer who ignored complaints about threatening behavior from a coworker. 
• Event organizers or venues that were unable to screen security personnel or enforce crowd control. 

Determining whether third-party liability applies requires a thorough examination of the facts, including any prior incidents, the foreseeability of danger, the security measures in place, and whether a duty to act existed. At Flahavan Law, we have the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate these issues and identify every party that may share responsibility for your harm. 

Injuries Caused by Assault 

Unlike many other types of personal injury claims, assault victims often suffer both physical injuries and profound emotional trauma. We know that these are real injuries, and the California court recognizes this as well. Emotional injuries are every bit as serious as broken bones or spinal damage, and they deserve to be recognized and compensated fully. 

Physical injuries may include: 

• Cuts, bruises, lacerations, and scarring 
• Fractures or broken bones 
• Head trauma and concussions 
• Soft tissue damage or internal injuries 
• Permanent disfigurement or disability 

Emotional and psychological injuries can be just as devastating, and often longer-lasting. We often see individuals who experience: 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Depression or anxiety 
• Panic attacks 
• Sleep disturbances or nightmares 
• Fear of public places, work, or social situations 
• Loss of enjoyment of life or intimacy 

At Flahavan Law, we work closely with medical experts, therapists, and care planners to ensure that the full scope of your suffering, whether it was physical, psychological, or financial, is understood and included in your claim. 

What Compensation Can You Recover? 

Compensation in an assault-related civil claim is meant to cover the full spectrum of losses you’ve experienced and will likely continue to face. We understand that financial compensation will never fully compensate for the pain you have endured and will continue to endure. Still, we also recognize that it will help you access the proper care you need now and in the future. We fight to secure you the maximum possible compensation. Depending on the circumstances of the assault, you may be entitled to: 

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, therapy, medication, and future care. 
• Lost wages, if you were unable to work due to physical or emotional trauma. 
• Loss of future earning capacity, if the assault impacted your ability to perform your job. 
• Pain and suffering, which covers the physical pain and emotional anguish you’ve endured. 
• Emotional distress, particularly if diagnosed with PTSD, depression, or anxiety. 
• Punitive damages are awarded in cases of especially egregious or malicious conduct. 
• Property damage, if personal belongings were broken or lost during the incident. 

We take into account your future needs, your healing process, and how your life has changed since the assault. Our job is to make sure every aspect of your suffering is addressed and not minimized or overlooked because we want you to be set up to recover. 

Time Matters: Don’t Wait to Take Action 

In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including civil assault cases, is typically two years from the date of the injury. However, there are some exceptions, such as when the victim is a minor or if the injury is not discovered immediately. Additionally, if the assault occurred on government property (such as a public school), a claim may need to be filed within six months of the incident. 

Waiting too long can mean losing your legal right to seek justice, regardless of how strong your case may be. That's why it’s so essential to contact Flahavan Law as early as possible, so we can begin preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and protecting your rights. 

How Flahavan Law Can Help You Through This 

Choosing the right law firm after an assault is about more than legal experience. It’s also about trust, compassion, and commitment. At Flahavan Law, we bring all of that and more to every case we handle. With over 20 years of experience assisting personal injury victims in Sebastopol and throughout Sonoma County, we understand how to handle sensitive, high-stakes cases with the discretion and tenacity they deserve. 

Attorney Brian Flahavan takes a personal, hands-on approach with every client. He wants to understand your story, guide you through the legal process, and build a case that reflects your actual losses and your long-term needs. We work with compassion, but also with strength, so that we can hold attackers, negligent property owners, employers, and any other responsible parties fully accountable for the harm they allowed and caused you. We want you to reclaim your sense of safety and move forward.   

We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless we win compensation for you. 

You Deserve Support, Safety, and Justice 

We know that no amount of money can erase the trauma of being assaulted. The physical pain, emotional scars, and feeling that your safety was taken from you are deeply personal and often invisible wounds. But you do not have to carry this burden alone. 

At Flahavan Law, we recognize the immense courage it takes to speak up after something so painful. Whether you’re still trying to process what happened or are ready to take action, we are here to support you at your pace, on your terms. Our role is not just legal, but it’s personal. We will stand beside you, help you understand your rights, and fight to make sure your story is not silenced or dismissed. 

You have the right to feel safe again. You have the right to be heard. And you have the right to pursue the justice and compensation that can help you rebuild your life with dignity, care, and strength. 

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an assault in Sebastopol or anywhere in Sonoma County, please don’t wait to reach out. Let us take on the legal weight so you can focus on healing.