Any fan of the long-running series, “Law & Order,” knows that “In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.”
A third important group should be included in that statement: the civil court system.
In civil court, the victim of a crime can file a lawsuit naming the at-fault party as a defendant. That might be the best course of action for seeking compensation.
If you or someone in your family has been the victim of a crime, you want to hold the guilty party accountable. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the criminal charges. For a civil complaint, you’ll want to enlist the services of an experienced crime victim lawyer like you would find at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan to help you get the settlement you’re due.
We can provide the information you need to decide what is best for your remedy.
What Crimes Can Be a Part of a Civil Lawsuit?
A criminal act can leave the victim with serious physical and psychological injuries. Those injuries can generate mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. All of that anguish can be compensated for.
The following are the different types of crimes against which you can file a civil lawsuit:
Sexual Assault
A sexual assault can be especially violating and traumatic. You can file a complaint against an assailant.
You could also name additional parties. For instance, if the assault was committed against a child by a teacher, coach, or member of the clergy, those organizations can be held responsible for improper hiring and training procedures.
Shooting Death and Injury
There is no escaping the fact that Philadelphia struggles with violent gun crimes. These incidents happen nearly every day. Whether you were the direct target or an innocent bystander caught up in the crossfire, you can hold the gun assailant accountable.
In the event of a fatality, the surviving family member can file a suit against the assailant.
Assault and Battery
Violence is never the answer. If someone challenges you to a fight, it is best to walk away.
Unfortunately, that other person might still decide to take matters into their own hands. These are also incidents of road rage that lead to an assault. Even if you were defending yourself, you are entitled to compensation.
Drunk Driving Accident
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered a criminal offense. This case might present the clearest evidence of the crime, with results of a blood alcohol screening that demonstrate who is at fault for a car accident.
Along with compensation for your injuries and lost wages, you can also sue for the damages to your vehicle.
What is the Pennsylvania Crime Victim Compensation Program?
One of the first places that the victim of a crime can seek a remedy is with the Pennsylvania Crime Victim Compensation Program (VCAP). This program is set up to provide funds for crime victims and their families. Each year, VCAP receives around 12,000 new claims, resulting in an average payout of $13 million for all the victims.
As helpful as these funds might be, there are limitations to them. You might not be able to receive what you feel you’re entitled to, which is commensurate with your pain and suffering. You can move forward with your civil complaint to fill in the gaps. Just be aware that you can’t get paid for the same bill.
For instance, if you get your medical therapy expenses paid by VCAP, you can’t sue for that in a civil complaint.
Don’t Wait to Pursue a Settlement
As the victim of a crime, you have a limited time to file a civil complaint. In Pennsylvania, that time is two years from the date of the crime. Keep in mind that you don’t have to wait until the criminal side of the situation is resolved. You can file your civil complaint the moment you understand all your damages.
If the attorneys at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan agree to represent you, they will help calculate all your damages. We will also provide support and transparency throughout every phase of the civil lawsuit.
Pursuing this type of compensation will be challenging, but it’s worth the effort if it brings you peace.
Call to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.