Assault Injury Claims

Victims of violence have civil rights too — beyond criminal charges, you may recover damages from the attacker and negligent parties.

Assault and battery injuries give rise to civil personal injury claims that exist independently of any criminal prosecution, allowing victims of intentional violence to seek financial compensation for the harm they suffered. While the criminal justice system punishes the offender, a civil claim focuses on making the victim whole by recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. Importantly, victims may have claims not only against the person who attacked them, but also against third parties whose negligence created the conditions that allowed the assault to occur. These negligent security or premises liability claims arise when property owners — such as apartment complexes, hotels, bars, nightclubs, parking garages, shopping centers, and businesses — fail to provide reasonable security measures in areas with foreseeable risk of crime. Common security failures include inadequate lighting, broken locks and gates, absent or poorly trained security personnel, and ignoring prior incidents of violence on the property. Because the individual attacker is often unable to pay a judgment, holding a negligent property owner accountable is frequently the most meaningful path to recovery. Damages can be substantial, particularly when the assault causes serious physical injury, permanent disability, or significant psychological harm such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Documenting the injuries, obtaining the police report, identifying witnesses, and investigating the property's security history and prior incidents are all critical to building a strong civil claim.

For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.