(215) 399-9255
Philadelphia Crime Victim Lawyer

Crimes, whether they involve physical violence, subjecting someone to mental turmoil, or the deprivation of money or property from someone else, affect victims. They can even have adverse consequences on the lives of friends and family members.

While our legal system allows for prosecutors to file charges against those who commit crimes and our courts to sentence those convicted to imprisonment or probation and to assess fines, our civil court system is where victims and their loved ones have an opportunity to seek justice themselves for the financial consequences others’ actions have.

If you’re dealing with the consequences of someone else’s unlawful actions, know that you don’t have to allow that situation to continue devastating your life on every possible level. While making what happened go away may not be an option, a Philadelphia crime victim lawyer may advise you that recovering compensation to address the financial consequences what you endured has had on your life may be an option.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we offer free consultations where you can discuss what happened to you or a family member in a confidential setting and learn more about the legal rights Pennsylvania law affords you. So, if you want to know more about your legal options, one of our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys is here to support you. Call or email us for your complimentary case review now.

Types of Crime Victim Cases We Handle

We represent clients who have been victimized by all types of crimes due to third-party negligence, such as:

  • Sexual assaults: Non-consensual sexually-oriented treatment, like harassment and adult or child sexual abuse, often occurs on residential and commercial properties around Philadelphia for many reasons, including that there’s insufficient supervision or inadequate security measures in place. We hold perpetrators of such acts who took advantage of circumstances and committed unwanted acts.
  • Drunk driving: So many criminal and civil cases focus on holding an intoxicated motorist responsible for an injury or fatal accident they may have caused. While we can certainly assist with that, we hold bars, restaurants, and others licensed to serve alcohol liable for their role in serving an intoxicated or underage individual when their actions violate our Pennsylvania dram shop statutes and cause our clients harm.
  • Violent crimes: From kidnapping to human trafficking, assault and battery and robbery, domestic violence, hate crimes, and also stabbings and shootings, these violent offenses may have left you injured or caused a family member’s wrongful death. Holding the person who committed these intentional or reckless acts as well as an entity, such as a property management company, negligent security company, or even a law enforcement agency (such as in the case of police brutality), may be possible.
  • Financial extortion schemes: From preying upon the elderly with computer viruses to online dating or “catfishing” scams, these are just a few examples of ways in which individuals with poor intentions seek to gain access to personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers or bank account information, to financially exploit their victims.
  • Defamation, blackmail, and slander: The more popular social media and smartphones have become in recent years and given how technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is now so widely accessible technology, the more we have to worry about falling victim to reputation-ruining acts. Some more pressing concerns include deepfake videos, which may include revenge porn or a person’s voice being recorded and applied to videos they didn’t create and aren’t in alignment with their beliefs.

The brief listing of the situations above is not exhaustive. So, we urge you to reach out to us to tell us what happened to you to learn if you have a pursuable civil case on its own merits.

Meeting with our lawyers who handle these victim rights’ cases, all of whom are former prosecutors, is completely free. So, reach out to us by phone or email now.

A former client shares how the attorneys at Laffey Bucci D'Andrea Reich & Ryan stood by her family’s side through
an unspeakable tragedy, guiding them through every step of the legal process.

Common Defendants We Hold
Liable by Filing Crime Victim Lawsuits

Unlike criminal charges, where prosecutors must be able to meet one burden of proof to move forward with charging someone with a crime, the same threshold doesn’t apply in civil cases. Also, while it can help, it’s not necessary for someone to be charged or convicted of a crime for you to hold them civilly liable for the impact their actions caused. It’s also important that you know it may be possible to pursue more than one defendant when filing a civil lawsuit.

Over the years, our firm has successfully won cases filed against a wide range of parties both directly and indirectly responsible for the harm our clients suffered.

  • Bars and restaurants
  • Apartment complexes, property management companies, and landlords
  • Childcare facilities, school districts, and universities
  • Rideshare companies
  • Hotels
  • Shopping centers and malls
  • Fraternities
  • Adult daycares, home health care agencies, and nursing homes
  • Doctors’ offices and medical care facilities, like hospitals
  • Churches and other religious institutions
  • Foster care agencies
  • Law enforcement and associated government agencies

Meet Our Attorneys

Monetary Compensation
Available to Crime Victims

As we shared above, the attorneys who handle crime victims’ cases are former prosecutors. In our prior roles, we worked closely with our partners in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Victims’ Services Unit to ensure those harmed by the defendant we were prosecuting in the courtroom could get the help they needed after what they went through.

However, even though financial assistance was often available in the form of restitution, it was seldom enough to make an impact on victims’ lives. This was especially the case if the defendant was judgment-proof. Payments, if they did eventually come, would trickle in. This is where pursuing a monetary settlement by filing a personal injury case against any responsible third parties can help.

So, what amount of compensation may you be entitled to, and what can you use it to pay for?

The amount you may be able to recover will depend greatly on factors such as:
  • How much in insurance or assets a third-party defendant may have
  • That third party’s degree of responsibility for what happened
  • The extent of your injuries (how badly you were harmed
You may use any settlement you receive to pay for some of the following:
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Property damage or loss

Punitive damages, which aim to discourage a defendant from repeating similar actions, may also be imposed by the Court.

In short, provided you can document an expense being tied to your victimization, you may be entitled to recover compensation for it. If you have any outstanding bills stemming from what you went through, be sure to have those handy when you meet with a Philadelphia crime victim lawyer for a free consultation, as this will allow them to begin calculating your losses and how much your case may be worth.

Time Limits Exist for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in PA

Pennsylvania law 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524 outlines how plaintiffs generally have two years from the date an injury incident occurs to file a lawsuit to recover damages. However, there are some exceptions that can apply to this rule when:

  • Children or incapacitated adults are the ones who suffered harm
  • There’s a delayed onset of associated injuries or illnesses

There may additionally be certain notification requirements, such as of government agencies, that need to occur before the filing of any lawsuit can occur.

Since there are several potential exceptions, it’s best to discuss your unique case and the specific statute of limitations and filing requirements applicable to it with an attorney. At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, there’s no cost associated with us discussing your rights with you.

Time Limit for filing a Civil Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

What Can You Expect Your Philadelphia Crime Victim Attorney To Do

Once we’ve spoken with you and advised you, confirmed you have a viable case, advised you of your rights, and you’ve hired us on, that’s when the real work begins. You can count on us at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan to:

  • Compile police reports, photographs, videos, and any other evidence necessary to prove your claim
  • Gather any medical bills, pay stubs showing missed work, and other documentation necessary to substantiate your losses
  • Communicate with insurance companies or self-insured entities and their legal counsel regarding any necessary aspects of the case on your behalf
  • File all appropriate notices, motions, and any other necessary documentation by the appropriate statute of limitations
  • Provide you with guidance where offices like the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate (OVA) fall short
  • Attend court hearings and take your case to trial, if necessary, to ensure you receive fair and just compensation

“At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we promote the rights of crime victims everyday. All too often, the victims of these crimes are left behind to pick up the pieces on their own. We think you and your family deserves better. We understand the struggles you are facing. We want to help. “

Guy D’Andrea, Co-Managing Partner.

Preparing for Your Consultation With a Crime Victims Rights' Lawyer in Philadelphia

So, you’re ready to meet with an attorney to learn more about your legal rights. How do you prepare for your initial consultation ? Consider doing the following:

  • Drafting a narrative of the crime you were a party to, taking caution to include details about its impact on you
  • Collecting any evidence regarding the crime to show to your attorney during the consultation
  • Compiling any bills showing how the criminal act affected you

Successful Results For Our Clients

  • $7.5 Million

    Against a correctional facility for negligently supervising a guard that physically and sexually abused an inmate in their care

  • $750,000

    Against a psychiatric hospital for their failure to prevent a woman in their care from being sexually assaulted.

  • $107 Million

    Against a Christian Board School and other defendants that allowed horrific acts of sexual and physical violence against the young children in their care.

  • $3 Million

    Against a University for Child Sexual Abuse

  • $2 Million

    Against a religious organization because of their negligent supervision of a pedophile priest who sexually abused a child

  • $1 Million

    Against child protective services for their failures in preventing the sexual abuse of a child within their care and custody

  • $1.9 Million

    For a child who was sexually abused by a clergy member

Contact Laffey Bucci D'Andrea Reich & Ryan To Begin Putting Your Life Back Together

Whether you’ve been able to gather together all of the information mentioned above together or you’re too tied up focusing on your recovery or coping with your grief to do so, consider reaching out to us nonetheless. We’ll connect you with a Philadelphia crime victim lawyer on our team to discuss your case with you during a free, confidential consultation.

Don’t let the person or entity that harmed you have the upper hand. Take advantage of the right you have to hold the party who hurt you accountable for their actions. We’re here to help. Call or fill out our convenient online form now for help.

Learn About Who We Fight For

Victim’s of crime oftentimes do not realize that justice can be sought on both the criminal and civil side of the law. As former prosecutors we have the background, experience and knowledge to walk our clients through the criminal process, while at the same time representing them in a civil case.

Examples of cases include assaults in apartment complexes, negligent security cases, assaults at bars and nightclubs, physical abuse in schools, offices and day care centers, to name a few.

If you’ve been a victim of crime, we’re here to listen and advise. Schedule a free consultation today.

Free Consultancy

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