If you or someone you care about has encountered sexual assault while at a massage parlor, there may be legal actions available. The team of lawyers at Florin|Roebig has represented numerous cases of sexual assault and is ready to offer a free consultation to discuss your case.
Florin|Roebig was successfully granted a jury verdict of $47.4 million in a case of sexual battery concerning massage therapy in Florida. Our team is equipped and ready to represent your case in Port St. Lucie with the same fervor and commitment.
Florin|Roebig attorney Taylor Roebig stated that similar cases will likely keep emerging. “The personal and intimate nature of these attacks can make it challenging for victims to come forward and report their assault. To ensure that justice is accomplished, sexual assault victims must have the support and commitment from an adept attorney, such as those at Florin|Roebig.”
Understanding Sexual Assault in Spa and Massage Settings
It is imperative for those who may have gone to a massage facility and were then touched inappropriately or sexually assaulted by the massage therapist to know they are not on their own. What happened to you was not right, and you now have legal choices available.
Unfortunately, massage sexual assault has developed into a significant issue for both men and women. There are no exact statistics on the precise number of clients who have been sexually abused while being given a massage.
Over 180 women have filed a civil lawsuit against the famous massage firm Massage Envy, who reported that they were sexually assaulted while being given a massage in this facility.
Being touched intimately is standard during a massage appointment, which may make it difficult to discern if the touch you received was improper. With such a thin line between proper massage and improper touch, it can be challenging for people to understand what happened to them.
If you are uncertain about what comprises sexual assault in the eyes of the Florida law, the following are signs that you may have undergone a sexual assault:
- A non consensual sex act was perpetrated during the massage.
- The therapist massaged your sexual parts, or they touched too close to those areas, with or without you asking them to stop.
- The masseuse pushed you to, asked you to, suggested, or ordered that you partake in sexual acts with them.
- The massage therapist revealed their sexual body parts in front of you.
- You were touched in places where you did not want to be touched.
- The therapist revealed a part of your body you did not want to be revealed.
- You were penetrated in any way by the massage therapist.
You may have been sexually assaulted, even if you were not directly sexually attacked if the therapist made unwanted sexual propositions or statements while performing your massage.
Why Spa and Massage Sexual Assault Occurs
When people choose to get a massage, they generally want to relieve stress, soreness, and muscle pain. In many cases, varying amounts of clothing are asked to be removed, leading to more access to the massage and undesired or unwanted touches or advances.
In many massage settings, the lights are lowered for tranquility, and doors are closed for privacy. After taking off some or all of their clothing, a person is given an intimate massage in a deep state of ease and can even fall asleep.
This can leave that person vulnerable to physical and mental manipulation and disliked advances. Countless people who are sexually assaulted while being given a massage feel guilty or embarrassed about what happened, or they are not sure if what occurred was part of a “typical” massage.
Steps to Take if You Are Sexually Assaulted During a Spa or Massage Session
After a sexual assault happens, it is normal for victims to feel many types of emotions, ranging from rage to sadness to vulnerability. One helpful way to take back your control and to take steps against the massage therapist who attacked you is by completing the following steps:
1. File a report with the massage clinic.
First, you need to file a statement with the massage facility describing the sexual wrongdoing. You also need to be able to document your complaint against the massage therapist as soon as possible.
2. Call local law enforcement and file a police report.
The second necessary action to take in your case is to report the assault to the police as soon as possible. If you are not keen on reporting the assault to the police right after it occurs, you need to make sure you report it as soon as you are emotionally and mentally ready.
3. Notify the Department of Health or State Licensing Agency.
It is crucial that you or your loved one notify the Florida Board of Massage Therapy or the licensing agency for the massage company of inappropriate sexual contact. This will begin an investigation, which can help in bringing the perpetrator to justice and deter any further sexual assaults.
4. Seek professional help and personal support.
When a person has encountered this type of intimate trauma, it can be taxing on their mental health. You should seek help as you begin to process what has happened to you. Mental health counselors and specialized therapists can help you in beginning the process of healing.
5. Consult a personal injury lawyer like Florin|Roebig.
You might already be familiar with the fact that the massage therapist who sexually assaulted you can be indicted on criminal charges. You can also start a personal injury claim to pursue a settlement for the trauma you have experienced, and a Port St. Lucie Florin|Roebig lawyer can help.
Reporting Sexual Assault to Authorities and Institutions
After you or someone you love has experienced an inappropriate touch or was sexually attacked while receiving a massage, you or the person you care about must inform the appropriate authorities of what occurred. This can be crucial in ensuring that the perpetrator and the massage facility are held responsible.
Report the assault to the massage establishment management, which typically has procedures for managing assault. Once you have reported this assault to the massage company, you must file a report with the Florida Department of Health Licensing and Regulation.
Call the police and provide a statement verifying you have reported what happened. The police will then investigate the sexual assault, which could lead to an arrest and a trial.
Legal Rights of Victims of Spa Massage Sexual Assault in Florida
If you or a loved one were sexually assaulted when getting a massage in Port St. Lucie, Florida, you may be able to start a personal injury lawsuit against the attacker (the massage therapist).
It is not unusual for people to mix up the phrases civil lawsuit and criminal charges, but there are significant differences you need to understand. Criminal charges can be filed against any person who engages in a criminal act, which includes rape or sexual assault.
When a report of sexual assault is filed, the state where you live, including Florida, has the power to decide whether to pursue or decline to press criminal charges. If the massage therapist who assaulted you is charged with sexual assault, they are likely to face jail or prison time, monetary fines, and other legal outcomes.
While this outcome includes the crime that occurred, you merit recompense for the trauma you endured and continue to live with. Once criminal charges are filed with the court, sexual assault victims are also entitled to pursue civil lawsuits against the perpetrator of the assault and the company they are employed with.
Sexual assault lawsuits permit victims to seek a settlement from their attackers as a form of restitution — which is a type of payment that tries to account for pain and suffering.
Taylor Roebig, a distinguished Florin|Roebig attorney, has seen similar civil cases that resulted in significant awards for victims of sexual assault. Roebig says, “Our main goal is to pursue the highest legal compensation possible for our clients. Due to the intimate assault on the victim, including sexual assault committed while in a massage session, we take even more care in seeking all roads for justice and compensation.”
It is important to remember that company owners are also vulnerable to civil lawsuits if they are proven to have been negligent or disregarded professional standards.
Why You Need an Port St. Lucie Spa Massage Sexual Assault Lawyer
Hiring a Port St. Lucie spa or massage sexual assault attorney from Florin|Roebig can help you in countless different ways to receive the compensation you deserve for your assault. The Florin|Roebig team of attorneys provides free consultations to examine your massage sexual assault case and how they can help.
The following are the advantages of employing a Florin|Roebig attorney for your personal injury massage sexual assault case:
Spa Massage Sexual Assault Case Experience
Attorneys with specialized knowledge of Port St. Lucie spa and massage sexual assault cases can be helpful when filing a sexual assault claim. A law firm that has been in business in Florida for as many decades as we have been will have developed a critical understanding of sexual assault laws.
With forty years of experience in successfully representing our clients, Florin|Roebig’s sexual assault lawyers are more than ready to represent these types of cases in Florida.
A Strong Sexual Assault Case
Lawyers who are outstanding in their profession will understand the types of facts and evidence that will support your spa massage sexual assault case, improving your chances of collecting the settlement you rightfully merit.
Employing a sexual assault attorney who specializes in sexual assault claims will be an essential investment for you and your case. While it may seem daunting, hiring a Florin|Roebig sexual assault lawyer is easy, and our team of attorneys will help you every step of the way.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
If you or a member of your family are working towards obtaining the settlement you are owed from the perpetrator or company being held liable for your sexual assault, you are not alone. Multiple sexual assault victims have found out the sad truth about these offenders: they will do what they can to ensure they do not have to pay you.
Our team of attorneys at Florin|Roebig is acquainted with these disgusting strategies used by major massage corporations and perpetrators of sexual assault all over America, and they are not scared to go against them to make sure you are properly compensated.
When you hire an attorney, you can give the stressful burden of dealing with your perpetrator’s lawyers to your attorney so that you do not have to take this all on yourself. You can rely upon your Florin|Roebig team of lawyers to care for you and your case.
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Compensation for Victims of Spa Massage Sexual Assault
Anyone who experienced sexual assault while receiving a massage may be granted either compensatory or punitive damages. Compensatory damages pay you (reimburse) for a specific cost, while punitive damages are a method for the courts to penalize (punish) the wrongdoer.
Standard compensatory damages reported in sexual assault cases include:
- Medical costs, which can consist of hospital visit fees, counseling or therapy appointments to aid in healing from the trauma and any continuing medical treatment connected to sexual injuries
- Any lost wages caused by not being able to attend your job due to the anxiety caused by the sexual attack, emotional pain, or continuing pain and suffering
- Disruption to the quality of life of an assault victim may happen if the attack traumatizes them in a manner that affects other areas of life. For example, if the massage therapist was a man and, after being sexually attacked, the attack victim is unable to be alone with men.
Punitive damages are rarely granted but may be given to victims when the court wishes to prevent the defendant from repeating the same activities.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Sexual Assault Case
Sexual assault victims in Florida are legally permitted to represent themselves in a court of law. However, there are many benefits to hiring a Florida sexual assault lawyer. The legal process can be daunting, and mistakes can hurt your chances of fair compensation.
Hiring a lawyer who specializes in sexual assault cases is even more valuable because they are acquainted with the specific laws surrounding these cases. These attorneys are up-to-date with the most recent rulings and developments in sexual assault laws and will know precisely what your case needs to succeed.
Other advantages of utilizing a Florin|Roebig attorney for your sexual assault case include the following:
- Analysis and collection of evidence
- Managing insurance organizations
- Improved chances of getting proper compensation
- Legal knowledge and expertise
- Support
Sexual assault lawyers can help you with your case and, if needed, a sexual assault lawsuit. Countless questions and worries often arise after a spa massage sexual attack, and our lawyers want to assure our clients that they get through this process with as little anxiety as possible.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
FAQs About Spa Massage Sexual Assault Claims
How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for sexual assault differs depending on the classification of the sexual assault. Usually, victims of sexual assault in Florida have between two and four years to file their claims.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for my case?
In most cases, attorneys take their fees from the compensation awarded to their clients. Florin|Roebig’s attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning an upfront payment is not required, and you do not pay us unless we win your case.
Find the Help You Need Today at Florin|Roebig
If you, a family member, or someone you care about was sexually assaulted or received an unwanted touch during a massage session, you may be able to pursue a settlement from the massage company or the masseuse. Sexual assault attorneys can help in deciding who is liable, offer legal guidance during your case, and more.
The attorneys of Florin|Roebig have represented multiple sexual assault cases, always working with the utmost care to relieve our clients of their worries, build a solid case, and reach a reasonable settlement offer.
With numerous complimentary client testimonials, discover what our team of expert lawyers can do for you and your claim today. Contact Florin|Roebig today to discuss your case or schedule a free evaluation.
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