Overview
Sexual Abuse Attorneys: Seeking Justice and Healing for Survivors
Every 73 seconds someone in America is the victim of a sexual assault, leaving victims with significant and real psychological, physical and emotional injuries. Romanucci & Blandin investigates a variety of abuse cases, which includes a current probe into former OB/GYN Dr. Fabio Ortega and NorthShore University HealthSystem and Swedish Hospitals.
Sexual assault and sexual abuse are real
Sexual abuse is a criminal offense that can be punished by imprisonment, but a victim of such abuse can also file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation. Romanucci & Blandin has significant experience with sexual abuse lawsuits and we are very familiar with the challenges and compassion that these cases require. We understand how to listen to people who have suffered sexual assault and sexual abuse, and our sexual abuse attorneys know how to bring some measure of justice to your life.
Many times, the victim is hesitant to speak out due to fear or embarrassment. Sometimes they are told to stay quiet by friends, family or loved ones, or there may be fear of retribution by the abuser.
Sexual abuse cases become even more sensitive when the victim is a child. These cases often involve an abuser who is in a position of authority or is trusted by the child or family. Our team is also familiar with cases stemming from contact on the internet by an adult preying on a young person.
We are currently investigating former Dr. Fabio Ortega for allegations of sexual abuse against his patients during his time as an OB/GYN with Swedish Hospitals and NorthShore University HealthSystem in the Chicago area. To learn more about the investigation, please visit our Dr. Fabio Ortega informational page.
We are also investigating the Lord's Ranch in Arkansas, which operated for 40 years as a religious-based treatment center for troubled youth. Our team is proud to represent more than a dozen former residents of the Lord's Ranch and their claims of sexual abuse by the facility and its staff. To learn more about the investigation, please visit our the Lord's Ranch informational page.
High school hazing activities can cause a lifetime of harm
Hazing can happen in many places, and hazing rituals in K-12 school districts can include sexual activities, sexual violence, physical and emotional injuries. The trauma from hazing activities can last a lifetime. Hazing can happen in high school settings such as with student-athletes on sports teams. Our hazing attorneys are very familiar with these types of cases and, as an example, we have represented young high school students who were members of a football team, sexually assaulted with a broomstick in a locker room by members of the varsity team as a rite of passage.
Hazing rituals at college can have tragic results
Hazing activities are, unfortunately, common on college campuses, as well. Fraternities, sororities and sports teams often have hazing rituals and rites of passage that put college students and student-athletes in danger, exposing them to sexual hazing, physical and emotional injury and even causing hazing death. These activities capitalize on college students wanting to be new members of campus organizations or student groups and see the dark side of toxic masculinity and peer pressure.
Your sexual abuse or hazing claim
With headquarters in Chicago, the sexual abuse and hazing attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin know the damage caused by these situations can also include missed work and loss of income, medical bills for treatment, therapy or counseling and more. The attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin know how to navigate these sensitive cases and bring justice to victims - even if the abuse took place years ago – and often settle these types of cases without going to trial.
At Romanucci & Blandin, we approach a sexual abuse case or hazing claim to provide monetary compensation and hold an individual or institution financially accountable and responsible for the economic, physical and emotional damages that have occurred.
Our law firm has a team of attorneys and staff with years of experience with sexual abuse and hazing litigation. Our sexual abuse legal team includes partners who guide the process and share their deep knowledge of these types of lawsuits. Each client and each situation is different, and your claim is treated with great care and respect as the team investigates what happened and determines the best path to justice for you.
We know exactly what to do to litigate your sexual abuse or hazing case. We will obtain all necessary background information on the abuser and, if appropriate, any institution such as a school district, church or scouting organization that was involved. We find the records, interview witnesses, utilize experts and prepare thoroughly and meticulously for your case. Ultimately, our aim is to obtain the maximum compensation possible so that you can move on with your life.
At Romanucci & Blandin, our sexual abuse and hazing attorneys research the most up-to-date sexual misconduct laws and hire trained and experienced sexual assault and hazing experts to work as expert witnesses and consultants on your cases. We will evaluate your injury and claim and research the relevant statute of limitations applicable to your case. We work to locate and utilize the best experts across the country who are experienced in all the relevant state laws.
Delivering justice for sexual abuse and hazing victims
The results we have achieved in many sexual abuse and hazing cases are a testament to our team’s fierce dedication to clients. For example, we are proud to have secured justice for a wide range of people: those abused by clergy or scout leaders, victims of sex trafficking, and those who were forced into a sexual assault as a hazing ritual.
Our results speak for themselves. While every case is different, we have secured verdicts and settlements that are hundreds of thousands of dollars or more than a million dollars for victims of this type of abuse.
From abuse by a teacher or in a high school or college hazing ritual, to a priest or scout leader abuse, our team knows how the system works, how insurance companies and major institutions operate, and what judges, juries or mediators need to see to understand your claim.
Justice beyond a verdict or settlement: change in laws
At Romanucci & Blandin, we are committed to justice for our clients both in and out of the courtrooms. We are active in creating legislative change to stem or stop the problems in our community that have impacted our clients. This means engaging with lawmakers and advocacy groups, as well as possibly testifying in front of legislators to share our clients' stories and create change.
One example of this is when our client, who is the mother of a young female sex trafficking victim who was murdered, testified in the U.S. Senate. When legislation was passed, our client and her attorneys were in the White House when the SESTA/FOSTA law was signed, reforming internet solicitation of minors.
Types of sexual abuse and hazing claims
The following are some of the types of sexual abuse & hazing cases we handle for our clients:
- Boy Scouts
- Clergy abuse
- Hazing, Bullying & Intimidation Hazing Cases
- Minor Child abuse
- School & Institutional abuse
- Sex Trafficking
Free consultation on your case with Chicago-based sexual assault and hazing lawyers
The sexual abuse and hazing attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin have proven success in these types of cases. If you or a loved one has suffered injury or wrongful death, please contact our office at 312-458-1000 or click here for a free case evaluation. There is never a fee until you are compensated for your injuries at the end of the case.
Disclaimer: The content found on this page is not legal assistance and contacting the sexual abuse and hazing lawyers at Romanucci & Blandin’s law office for a free consultation regarding personal injury cases and sexual abuse and hazing claims does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
