If you or a family member has experienced sexual assault while receiving a massage, there may be legal options for you. The Florin|Roebig legal team has represented numerous sexual assault cases and is ready to offer a free consultation to discuss your case.
In Florida, Florin|Roebig successfully received a jury verdict of $47.4 million in a sexual battery case involving massage therapy, and they are prepared to defend your case in Dallas, Texas, with identical devotion and commitment.
Florin|Roebig attorney Taylor Roebig stated that similar cases will likely keep emerging. The personal and intimate circumstances that surrounded many of these assaults make it challenging for many people to come forward,” said Roebig. “Having an experienced law firm to help guide victims through this process is a sensitive issue with the fundamental compassion 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 massage therapist must know they are not alone. What occurred to you was not okay, and you need to be aware that you have legal options.
Unfortunately, massage sexual assault is now a significant problem for both men and women. There is no precise data on the exact amount of clients who have been sexually abused while being given a massage.
Regardless, a civil lawsuit that was filed against the major corporation Massage Envy was filed by over 180 women who affirmed they were sexually assaulted while being given a massage in this facility.
Being touched intimately is expected during a massage, which is one reason it is difficult to discern whether the touch you received was inappropriate. With such a fine line between appropriate massage and inappropriate touch, it can be difficult for clients to understand what happened to them.
If you are uncertain about what constitutes sexual assault in the eyes of the law, the following are indications that you may have experienced a sexual assault:
- A nonconsensual sex act was committed while being given 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 pushed you to, asked you to, implied, or insisted that you participate in sexual acts with them.
- The massage therapist revealed their sexual body parts in front of you.
- You were touched in places that you did not want to be touched.
- The therapist revealed an area of your body that you did not want to be revealed.
- The massage therapist penetrated you in any way.
You may have been sexually harassed, even if you were not directly sexually assaulted, if the therapist made unwanted sexual demands or statements while conducting your massage.
Why Spa and Massage Sexual Assault Occurs
When a person chooses to get a massage, they typically aim to alleviate stress, soreness, and muscle pain. In most cases, differing levels of clothing might be asked to be taken off, which can lead to more access to not only the massage but also nonconsensual touches or actions.
In most massage settings, the lights are turned down for relaxation, and doors are shut for solitude and privacy. Once a person has removed some or all of their clothing, they receive an intimate massage in a deep state of relaxation and may even doze off.
This makes a person vulnerable to body and mental manipulation and unwanted advances. A lot of people who have been sexually assaulted while receiving a massage feel ashamed about what transpired, or they are unsure 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 occurs, it is typical to experience a lot of emotions, ranging from anger to sadness to defenselessness. One powerful 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
First, what you need to do is file a report with the massage parlor describing the sexual misconduct. You need to be able to record your complaint against the massage therapist as quickly as you possibly can.
2. Call local law enforcement and file a police report.
You will also need to file a police report as soon as you can, which is critical for your case. If you are not prepared to report the assault to a police department directly after it happens, make sure you do file one as soon as you are emotionally and mentally ready.
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 establishment of inappropriate sexual contact. This will initiate an investigation, which can assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice and stop any additional sexual assaults.
4. Seek professional help and personal support.
Once someone has encountered this type of trauma, it can be taxing on their mental and physical health. It is vital that you look for help as you start to process what has happened to you. Therapists and mental health counselors can help you in beginning the process of healing.
5. Consult a personal injury lawyer like Florin|Roebig.
Although you may know already that the massage therapist who sexually assaulted you can be indicted on criminal charges, you can also start a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the trauma you have experienced. A Dallas Florin|Roebig lawyer can help.
Reporting Sexual Assault to Authorities and Institutions
Once you or a family member have encountered an inappropriate touch or were sexually assaulted while being given a massage, it is crucial that you or your family member document what transpired. This can be vital in guaranteeing that the perpetrator and the massage establishment are held responsible.
Document the attack to the massage company; there are usually guidelines for handling assault. After you have disclosed this to the massage establishment, you need to also file a report with the massage licensing agency, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Call the police and file a statement, guaranteeing you have recorded what transpired. 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 experienced sexual assault 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 be confused about the terms civil lawsuit and criminal charges, but this is what you need to understand about the differences between the two. Criminal charges can be filed against a person who commits a criminal act, including rape or sexual assault.
When an account of a sexual assault is filed, the state where you live, in this case, Texas, has the authority to decide whether to pursue or drop criminal charges. If the massage therapist who attacked you is charged with sexual assault, they could likely face jail or prison time, fines, and other legal outcomes.
Although this outcome covers the crime that occurred, you deserve recompense for the trauma you endured and continue to face. Once criminal charges are filed with the court, sexual assault victims are also allowed to pursue civil lawsuits against the perpetrator of the assault and the organization they work for.
Sexual assault lawsuits authorize victims to seek compensation from their attackers as a type of restitution — which is a kind of payment that tries to account for pain and suffering.
Florin|Roebig lawyer Taylor Roebig has seen comparable civil cases that resulted in significant awards for the sexual assault victim. Roebig says, “We want the greatest possible outcome for our clients in these cases. But with a sexual assault committed in a massage appointment, with this type of attack being so intimate and personal, we take extra efforts to seek all avenues for justice and compensation.”
It is important to remember that property owners are also vulnerable to civil lawsuits if they are shown to have been negligent or disregarded professional standards.
Why You Need a Dallas Spa Massage Sexual Assault Lawyer
There are many different ways in which utilizing a Dallas spa and massage sexual assault attorney from Florin|Roebig can help you get the compensation you deserve for your assault. The Florin|Roebig lawyers provide free consultations to examine your massage sexual assault case and explain how they can help.
The following are the advantages of employing a Florin|Roebig lawyer for your personal injury massage sexual assault case:
Spa Massage Sexual Assault Case Experience
A lawyer with specialized knowledge of Dallas Spa massage sexual assault cases can be advantageous when filing a sexual assault claim. A legal firm that has been in business in Texas for as long as Florin|Roebig has gained a vital understanding of sexual assault laws.
With four decades of knowledge in representing clients successfully, Florin|Roebig’s sexual assault lawyers are more than prepared to handle these types of cases in Texas.
A Strong Sexual Assault Case
Attorneys who are excellent in their professions will understand the types of facts and evidence that will help your spa massage sexual assault case, enhancing your chances of collecting the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Employing a sexual assault lawyer who specializes in sexual assault claims will be a valued investment for you and your case. Although it may seem daunting, using a Florin|Roebig sexual assault lawyer is straightforward, and our attorneys will help you every step of the way.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
If you or a loved one are working to get the settlement you deserve from the person or corporation being held liable for your sexual assault, you are not alone. Numerous sexual assault victims have found out the distressing 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 disgusting techniques used by massage organizations and perpetrators of sexual assault across America, and they are not afraid to face them to ensure you are appropriately compensated.
When you hire an attorney, you can entrust the stressful responsibility of negotiating with your perpetrator’s attorney to your lawyer so that you do not have to do it yourself. You can count on your Florin|Roebig attorney to champion you and your case.
Our Featured Case Results
Compensation for Victims of Spa Massage Sexual Assault
Any person who was sexually assaulted during a massage therapy appointment may be given either compensatory or punitive damages. Compensatory damages pay you (compensate) for a precise cost, while punitive damages are a method in which to punish the wrongdoer.
Routine compensatory damages reported in sexual assault cases include:
- Medical expenses, which can consist of hospital visit fees, counseling or therapy appointments to aid in healing from trauma and any ongoing medical treatment associated with sexual damages
- Lost wages caused by missing work from anxiety over the attack, emotional pain, or continuing pain and suffering
- Disruption to an individual’s quality of life may occur if the attack traumatizes you in a way that affects other work areas. For example, if the massage therapist was a male and, after being sexually attacked, the assault victim is unable to be alone with any male.
Punitive damages are rarely awarded but may be granted to victims when the court desires to prevent the defendant from repeating the same mistake.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Sexual Assault Case
Anyone who was sexually attacked while being given a massage during an appointment may be given either compensatory or punitive damages. In compensatory damages, you are paid (compensated) for an exact cost, while punitive damages are a form in which to penalize the wrongdoer.
Typical compensatory damages documented in sexual assault cases include:
- Medical costs, which can consist of hospital visit expenses, counseling or therapy appointments to help in healing from trauma, and any continuing medical treatment associated with sexual damages
- Lost earnings induced by missing work from anxiety over the assault, 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 impacts other areas. For instance, if the massage therapist was a man and, after being sexually assaulted, the assault victim is incapable of being alone with any man.
Punitive damages are seldom granted but may be awarded to victims when the court wishes to stop the defendant from repeating the same mistake.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
FAQs About Spa Massage Sexual Assault Claims
How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations regarding sexual assault varies depending on the type of assault. Generally, sexual assault victims in Texas have between two and ten years to file a claim.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for my case?
Most attorneys will take their fees from the compensation awarded to their clients. Florin|Roebig attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis, so payment is not required unless we win your case.
Find the Help You Need Today at Florin|Roebig
If you or a loved one were a victim of sexual assault during a massage appointment, you may be able to pursue a settlement from the massage establishment or the massage therapist. Sexual assault attorneys can help in determining who is liable, offer legal advice during your case, and more.
The Florin|Roebig legal firm has represented numerous sexual assault cases, performing with the highest care to reduce all our clients’ worries, build a powerful case, and reach a suitable compensation offer.
With countless favorable client testimonials, discover what our law firm can do for you today. Call the phone number or fill out the contact form now to get started on your case.
