CIVIL SUITS
Crime victims and civil justice
Almost 30 million Americans are victimized by crime each year. The consequences of crime frequently extend far beyond the criminal act. All too often, victims are left with expenses for medical procedures, physical rehabilitation, counseling, property damage, and lost wages. It is estimated that crime costs victims $345 billion annually. Although many crime victims and their families have some knowledge about the legal system, they are often unaware that there are two systems of justice available in which to hold the offender accountable- the criminal justice system and the civil justice system.
Unlike the criminal justice process, the civil justice system does not attempt to determine an offender's guilt or innocence, or to incarcerate the offender. Rather, the civil courts attempt to ascertain whether an offender or a third-party is financially liable for the injuries sustained as a result of the crime.
Regardless of whether there was a successful criminal prosecution- or any prosecution at all- victims can bring their civil claims before the court and ask to the responsible parties held financially accountable. Offenders are held accountable, not to the state, but to the victims who suffered the direct impact of the crime. While money awarded in civil lawsuits can never fully compensate a victim for the trauma of victimization, it can provide valuable resources to help crime victims rebuild their lives.
How to Find an Attorney
Today, more attorneys than ever are representing crime victims in civil lawsuits, although relatively few specifically identify themselves as "crime victim" attorneys. Typically, qualified attorneys might be found among those handling premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, or professional malpractice claims on behalf of plaintiffs. Finding qualified attorneys to represent crime victims in civil lawsuits often requires diligence.
The National Crime Victim Bar Association (NCVBA) provides crime victims with referrals to local attorneys specializing in victim-related litigation. The referral service can be reached at (703) 276-0960, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday. You can also reach the NCVBA by calling 1-800-394-2255 (1-800-FYI-CALL) or visiting their web-site at www.victimbar.org.
Unlike the criminal justice process, the civil justice system does not attempt to determine an offender's guilt or innocence, or to incarcerate the offender. Rather, the civil courts attempt to ascertain whether an offender or a third-party is financially liable for the injuries sustained as a result of the crime.
Regardless of whether there was a successful criminal prosecution- or any prosecution at all- victims can bring their civil claims before the court and ask to the responsible parties held financially accountable. Offenders are held accountable, not to the state, but to the victims who suffered the direct impact of the crime. While money awarded in civil lawsuits can never fully compensate a victim for the trauma of victimization, it can provide valuable resources to help crime victims rebuild their lives.
How to Find an Attorney
Today, more attorneys than ever are representing crime victims in civil lawsuits, although relatively few specifically identify themselves as "crime victim" attorneys. Typically, qualified attorneys might be found among those handling premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, or professional malpractice claims on behalf of plaintiffs. Finding qualified attorneys to represent crime victims in civil lawsuits often requires diligence.
The National Crime Victim Bar Association (NCVBA) provides crime victims with referrals to local attorneys specializing in victim-related litigation. The referral service can be reached at (703) 276-0960, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday. You can also reach the NCVBA by calling 1-800-394-2255 (1-800-FYI-CALL) or visiting their web-site at www.victimbar.org.