If you were sexually assaulted in San Diego, what happened was not your fault, and you do not have to face it alone. You may be deciding whether to come forward, worried about your privacy, or unsure whether anything can be done long after the fact. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case. It can hold the person who harmed you, and any business or institution that made the harm possible, financially accountable, on your terms and at your pace.
Survivor Lawyer and The Pride Law Firm represent survivors across San Diego and throughout California. Our team is survivor-first and trauma-informed, and every conversation is free and completely confidential.
Call 619-516-8166 for a free, confidential consultation. You decide what happens next.
What is a civil sexual assault claim, and how is it different from a criminal case?
A civil claim is a lawsuit you bring to recover compensation for the harm done to you. It is separate from the criminal system, where a prosecutor decides whether to charge the offender and the goal is punishment.
The two systems work differently in ways that matter to survivors:
- You are in control. You choose whether to file, and you direct the case. In a criminal case, the district attorney does.
- The burden of proof is lower. A civil case is decided by a “preponderance of the evidence,” not “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
- You can recover money. Criminal cases can order restitution, but civil claims are built to compensate you for therapy, medical care, lost income, and the pain you have carried.
- You can sue more than the abuser. A civil claim can also name a business, employer, property owner, or institution whose negligence allowed the assault to happen.
You can pursue a civil claim whether or not you ever reported to police, and whether or not anyone was criminally charged.
Who can be held responsible for a sexual assault?
Often the person who assaulted you is not the only party at fault. California law lets survivors hold negligent third parties accountable when their carelessness created the opportunity for abuse. Depending on where and how the assault happened, that can include:
- An employer that ignored complaints or failed to supervise a predator at work
- A property owner or business that provided inadequate security
- A rideshare or short-term rental platform that failed to screen or respond
- A church, school, or youth organization that concealed known abuse
- A hospital, care facility, or treatment center that failed to protect patients
We investigate every avenue of responsibility, because holding an institution accountable is often what forces real change and delivers meaningful compensation. Explore the specific situations we handle on our sexual assault practice hub.
How long do I have to file in California?
California has expanded the time survivors have to come forward, and the deadline depends on your age at the time and the facts of your case. In general:
- Adult sexual assault: you typically have up to 10 years from the assault, or 3 years from when you discovered a resulting injury, under California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.16.
- Childhood sexual abuse: you generally have until age 40, or 5 years from when you discovered the harm, under section 340.1. For childhood abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024, California removed the filing deadline entirely.
Deadlines are strict and fact-specific, and some involve limited revival windows. The safest step is to ask us to confirm your deadline early, before evidence fades. A short call costs nothing and protects your options.
What is it like to work with us?
You will never be rushed, judged, or pressured. Here is what the process looks like:
- A free, confidential consultation. We listen, answer your questions, and explain your options. Nothing is filed unless you decide to move forward.
- Investigation. We gather records, identify every responsible party, and build the case so you do not have to relive it repeatedly.
- Filing and negotiation. We handle the legal process and communicate with the other side, so you can focus on healing.
- Resolution. Many claims settle; some go to trial. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, and we keep you informed at each step.
You pay nothing up front. We take sexual assault cases on a contingency basis, which means our fee comes only as a percentage of a recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe us no attorney fee.
Why survivors choose The Pride Law Firm
We built this practice around survivors, not around case files. What that means in practice:
- Survivor-first and trauma-informed. Our approach is designed to reduce re-traumatization at every step, and we maintain a free self-care resource hub for survivors.
- A team that reflects the people we serve. Founder Jessica Pride leads a diverse group of attorneys who represent women, men, children, teens, LGBTQ+ survivors, and immigrant survivors. Meet the people who would handle your case on our team page.
- Local roots, statewide and national reach. We are based in San Diego and handle cases here and across the country.
- Recognized voices for survivors. Our work has been featured in legal and national media.
“A forever thank you for believing in me and helping me through what I thought was going to kill me. If it wasn’t for you and women like you, I wouldn’t have the tools to learn how to believe in myself and find my voice again.” – Jessica Pride client
Types of sexual assault cases we handle in San Diego and beyond
Every survivor’s story is unique, and so is every case. We represent survivors of assault and abuse in settings that include:
- Airbnb and vacation rental assault
- Clergy and church abuse
- Workplace sexual assault
- Rideshare (Uber and Lyft), hotels, and other transportation
- Doctors, hospitals, massage, and care facilities
- Schools, teachers, and youth programs
- Sex trafficking and abuse of people in custody
If your situation is not listed, call us anyway. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Frequently asked questions
Talk with a San Diego sexual assault lawyer today
You do not have to decide anything today except to ask a question. Reach out whenever you are ready, and we will meet you there.
Call 619-516-8166 or /contact/ for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
