If you or someone you care about has experienced sexual assault while at a massage parlor, there may be legal recourse available. The Florin|Roebig legal teams have represented numerous sexual assault cases and are ready to offer a free consultation to examine your case.
Florin|Roebig was successfully awarded a jury verdict of $47.4 million in a sexual battery case concerning massage therapy in Florida, and they are prepared to represent your case in Austin with the same passion and commitment.
Attorney Taylor Roebig remarked that similar cases are likely to keep appearing. “Many people find it difficult to come forward because the essence of these assaults is very intimate and personal,” said Roebig. “It’s paramount to have an adept law firm to help guide clients through this sensitive matter with the vital understanding and resolve to achieve justice.”
Understanding Sexual Assault in Spa and Massage Settings
Anyone who may have gone to a massage establishment and was then touched inappropriately or sexually harassed by the masseuse needs to understand they are not alone in this experience. What happened to you was not okay, and you now have legal choices available.
Unfortunately, massage sexual assault has evolved into a substantial concern for both men and women. There are no precise statistics on the exact number of customers who have been sexually harmed while being given a massage.
Nevertheless, a civil lawsuit was filed by more than 180 women against the corporation Massage Envy, who declared they were sexually assaulted while obtaining a massage in this facility.
Being touched intimately is common during a massage, which may make it tricky to determine if the touch you received was inappropriate. When there is such a fine line between appropriate massage and inappropriate touch, it can be difficult for people to understand what happened to them.
If you are uncertain about what constitutes sexual assault in the eyes of the law, the following are signs that you may have experienced a sexual assault:
- A nonconsensual sex act was committed during the massage.
- The therapist massaged your sexual parts, or they touched too near to those parts, with or without you asking them to stop.
- The masseuse forced you to, asked you to, indicated, or insisted that you partake in sexual acts with them.
- The massage therapist revealed their sexual body parts in front of you.
- You were touched in areas 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 by the massage therapist in any way.
You may have been sexually victimized, even if you were not directly sexually attacked, if the therapist made undesirable sexual recommendations or statements while performing your massage.
Why Spa and Massage Sexual Assault Occurs
When a person chooses to receive a massage, they typically are looking to relieve stress, soreness, and muscle pain. In the majority of cases, differing degrees of clothing are asked to be removed, which can lead to more access for not only the massage but also unwanted touches or advances.
In most massage settings, the lights are turned down for relaxation, and doors are shut for privacy. After taking off some or all of their clothing, a person is given an intimate massage in a deep state of relaxation and can even doze off.
This leaves that person vulnerable to physical and mental manipulation and unwanted advances. Numerous people who are sexually attacked during a massage feel ashamed about what transpired, or they are not sure if what happened was part of a “typical” massage.
Steps to Take if You Are Sexually Assaulted During a Spa or Massage Session
When a sexual assault transpires, it is typical to feel many types of emotions, ranging from anger to despair to vulnerability. One effective way to take back your power and to take measures against the massage therapist who attacked you is by doing the following steps:
1. File a report with the massage clinic
The first thing you need to do is file a report with the massage company describing the sexual wrongdoing. You need to be able to document your complaint against the massage therapist as soon as you possibly can.
2. Call local law enforcement and file a police report.
Next, you should file a police report as quickly as possible, which is crucial for your case. If you are not keen to report the assault to a police officer directly after it happens, make sure you do it as soon as you are emotionally and mentally prepared.
3. Notify the Department of Health or State Licensing Agency
It is essential to inform the Department of Health in Texas or the licensing agency for the massage clinic of inappropriate sexual contact. This will initiate an investigation, which can assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice and stop any further sexual assaults.
4. Seek professional help and personal support.
When a person has undergone this type of trauma, it can take a toll on their mental health. It is vital that you look for help as you start to process what has occurred to you. Therapists and mental health counselors can assist you in beginning the healing process.
5. Consult a personal injury lawyer like Florin|Roebig.
You might already be aware of the fact that the massage therapist who sexually attacked you can be indicted on criminal charges. However, you can also start a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the trauma you have experienced, and an Austin Florin|Roebig lawyer can help.
Reporting Sexual Assault to Authorities and Institutions
After you or someone you love has encountered an inappropriate touch or was sexually assaulted while receiving a massage, it is essential that you or your loved one inform authorities of what transpired.
This can be crucial in ensuring that the perpetrator and the massage company are held accountable.
Document the attack to the massage facility, which usually has procedures for assault. Once you have documented this to the massage company, you need to file a report with the massage licensing agency, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Call the police and file a statement, ensuring you have reported what occurred. The police will then investigate the incident, which could lead to an arrest and a trial.
Legal Rights of Victims of Spa Massage Sexual Assault in Texas
If you were sexually attacked while receiving a massage in Texas, you may be able to initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the perpetrator (the massage therapist).
It is typical for people to mix up the terms civil lawsuit and criminal charges, but here is what you need to understand about the differences between them. Criminal charges can be filed against someone who commits a criminal act, which includes rape or sexual assault.
When a complaint of sexual assault is filed, the state where you live, such as Texas, has the authority to determine whether to seek or drop criminal charges. If the massage therapist who assaulted you is charged with sexual assault, they could likely face jail or prison time, fines, and other legal consequences.
While this result covers the crime that took place, you deserve recompense for the trauma you endured and continue to face. Once criminal charges are filed with the court, victims of sexual assault are also entitled to seek civil lawsuits against the perpetrator of the assault and the establishment they work for.
Sexual assault lawsuits permit victims to pursue payment from their attackers as a form of restitution — which is a type of compensation that attempts to account for pain and suffering.
Florin|Roebig attorney Taylor Roebig has seen similar civil cases that resulted in significant awards for the sexual assault victim. Roebig says, “Our goal in these cases is to obtain the most significant outcome possible for our client. However, in the case of sexual assault performed in a massage session, with such an intimate assault on the victim, we take even more care in pursuing all avenues for justice and compensation.”
It is important to remember that business owners are also vulnerable to civil lawsuits if they are shown to have been careless or violated professional standards.
Why You Need an Austin Spa Massage Sexual Assault Lawyer
There are many different ways utilizing an Austin spa or massage sexual assault attorney from Florin|Roebig can support you in getting the compensation you deserve for your assault. The Florin|Roebig lawyers provide free consultations to examine your massage sexual assault case and how they can help.
The following are the advantages of hiring a Florin|Roebig attorney for your personal injury massage sexual assault case:
Spa Massage Sexual Assault Case Experience
Having a lawyer with specialized knowledge of Austin spa and massage sexual assault cases can be beneficial when filing a sexual assault claim. A legal firm that has been in business in Texas for as long as we have will have developed a critical understanding of sexual assault laws.
With four decades of background in representing clients successfully, Florin|Roebig’s sexual assault lawyers are more than willing to handle these types of cases in Texas.
A Strong Sexual Assault Case
Attorneys who are exceptional in their careers will understand the types of facts and evidence that will help your spa massage sexual assault case, improving your odds of collecting the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Employing a sexual assault lawyer who specializes in sexual assault claims will be a vital asset to you and your case. Even though it may seem daunting, using a Florin|Roebig sexual assault lawyer is simple, and our attorneys will help you every step of the way.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
If you or a loved one are struggling to get the compensation you deserve from the person or corporation being held liable for your sexual assault, you are not alone. Many sexual assault victims have found out the heartbreaking truth about perpetrators: they will do anything they can to ensure they do not have to pay you.
Our Florin|Roebig attorneys are acquainted with these abhorrent techniques used by massage companies and perpetrators of sexual assault across America, and they are not afraid to confront them to ensure you are properly compensated.
When you hire an attorney, you can delegate the stressful burden of negotiating with your perpetrator’s legal team to your lawyer so that you do not have to do it alone. You can count on your Florin|Roebig lawyer to care for you and your case.
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Compensation for Victims of Spa Massage Sexual Assault
Any individual who was sexually assaulted during a massage therapy session may be awarded either compensatory or punitive damages. Compensatory damages pay you (compensate) for a specific cost, while punitive damages are a way in which to penalize the offender.
Routine compensatory damages reported in sexual assault cases include:
- Medical costs, which can consist of hospital visit expenses, counseling or therapy meetings to aid in healing from trauma, and any continuing medical treatment associated with sexual injuries
- Lost earnings caused by missing work due to anxiety over the attack, emotional pain, or ongoing pain and suffering
- Disturbance to an individual’s quality of life may happen if the attack traumatizes them in a way that concerns other areas of life. For example, if the massage therapist was a man and, after being sexually assaulted, the assault victim is unable to be alone with any man.
Punitive damages are infrequently awarded but may be given to victims when the court hopes to prevent the defendant from repeating the same actions.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Sexual Assault Case
Sexual assault victims can lawfully represent themselves in a court of law in Texas. Nevertheless, there are many benefits to employing a Texas sexual assault lawyer. The legal process can be overwhelming, and mistakes can destroy your chance at appropriate compensation.
Employing an attorney who specializes in sexual assault cases is even more advantageous because they understand the exact laws surrounding these cases. These attorneys are up-to-date with the most recent legislation and developments in sexual assault laws and will know precisely what your case needs to succeed.
Other advantages of hiring a Florin|Roebig lawyer for your sexual assault case include the following:
- Evidence accumulation and investigation
- Addressing insurance companies
- Increased chances of getting appropriate compensation
- Legal understanding and expertise
- Support
Our law offices can help you with your sexual assault case and, if needed, a sexual assault lawsuit. Many questions and concerns often occur after a spa massage sexual assault, and we want to make sure that you get through this process with as little stress as possible.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
FAQs About Spa Massage Sexual Assault Claims
Can I sue the spa or massage therapist for sexual assault?
Yes. In Texas, victims of sexual assault can sue the massage therapist or the company that employs them for the assault.
What if I didn’t report the assault immediately?
In Texas, you are not required to report an assault on yourself if you are an adult. However, the longer you wait to document the assault, you risk being incapable of filing one at all.
How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations for sexual assault ranges from between two and ten years, depending on the specific type of sexual assault that transpired.
Find the Help You Need Today at Florin|Roebig
If you or someone you care about were a victim of sexual assault while receiving a massage, you might be able to seek recompense from the massage establishment or the massage therapist. Sexual assault attorneys can assist in determining who is liable, provide legal advice during your case, and more.
The Florin|Roebig team of lawyers has represented multiple sexual assault cases, working with the highest care to reduce all our clients’ worries, build a strong case, and reach a fair settlement offer. Our team of attorneys will only stop once we have a solid foundation for your claim and will guarantee that you are updated along the way.
With considerable favorable client testimonials, discover what our law firm can do for you today. Call the phone number or complete the contact form now to get started on your claim.
