There is an epidemic of sexual abuse in our country. These heinous crimes can happen virtually anywhere, anytime—those who are willing to violate others so horrendously may need nothing more than an impulse, even if witnesses are near. However, we know that these crimes may be even more likely to occur if the perpetrator believes they will get away with it.

The team at Lamothe Law Firm is determined not to let any perpetrator of sexual assault get away with their crime in New Orleans. Regardless of whether the person who assaulted you faces criminal charges or penalties, you can turn to our team to hold the perpetrator—and all other liable parties—accountable. Contact Lamothe Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation about retaining a sexual assault lawyer in New Orleans, LA. 

When pursuing a civil lawsuit for sexual assault, time is absolutely critical for multiple legal and practical reasons, including:

• The Statute of Limitations: Most states impose strict deadlines for filing civil sexual assault claims. In Louisiana, survivors generally have a few years from the date of the assault to file a civil lawsuit. This deadline demands urgency in contacting Lamothe Law Firm. If you think the deadline for filing your claim may have passed, do not make the mistake of moving on without speaking to us. Our consultations are free (and free of stress), so reach out regardless.
• Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases Can Be Fragile: Physical and digital evidence in sexual assault cases tends to deteriorate rapidly, making prompt legal action critical. DNA evidence from biological materials can be perishable, while surveillance footage, digital communications, and other evidence may also be lost or damaged if we don’t preserve them promptly and properly. 
• Defendant Interference May Threaten Your Case: Perpetrators and liable institutions often take steps to minimize their exposure once they become aware of potential legal action. They may destroy evidence, try to influence witnesses, and take other steps to undermine a victim’s case. The New Orleans sexual assault attorneys at Lamothe Law Firm proactively secure evidence and prevent liable parties from sabotaging the client’s case.

Victims should consult with an experienced attorney from our team as soon as possible. There is no sense in risking the success of your case by waiting to hire us—you’re exposed until you have a competent lawyer overseeing your case.

Why Choose Lamothe Law Firm for Sexual Assault Cases in New Orleans

The experienced attorneys at Lamothe Law Firm represent both adult and child sexual abuse survivors, drawing from years of personal injury litigation success and a deep compassion for our clients and the life-altering harm sexual assaults cause.

Louisiana and federal criminal laws are there to protect us, but because only a small percentage of perpetrators are sent to jail, justice is rarely achieved through the criminal courts. That’s where we come in.

As a survivor of sexual assault in New Orleans, LA, we ask you to turn to Lamothe Law Firm as your advocates because:

Noteworthy Experience in Personal Injury and Sexual Assault Cases

Lamothe Law Firm stands apart as a can’t-miss choice for assault victims seeking justice, combining decades of proven experience with an unwavering commitment to fighting for those who have been wronged.

The team is led by veteran trial attorney Frank Lamothe, who brings over 50 years of courtroom experience to your case. The firm’s attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience in representing victims suffering severe harm due to others’ actions. Our experience helps us understand the complex legal landscape surrounding assault cases, and your case will be in well-worn, steady hands.

A Track Record of Exceptional Results

The firm has recovered over $100 million for its clients, including individual settlements and verdicts of:

• More than $15 million
• $5 million
• $4.65 million
• $4.35 million
• More than $2.85 million 

Sexual assault cases are about so much more than money. That said, these results prove our determination to get justice for each client we represent and our ability to convert that determination into tangible results.

National Recognition for Legal Excellence

Attorney Frank Lamothe has earned recognition as one of the nation’s top trial litigators, with prestigious accolades including:

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America
• Listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers
• Member of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100
• Designated as part of the Nation’s Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• Invited member of the American College of Trial Lawyers
• Invited member of the American Board of Trial Advocates

The firm itself has won national recognition as well, including:

• Named a Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers

Whether you are represented by Attorney Lamothe or another of our fearless sexual assault attorneys in New Orleans, know that you’ll have the support of our entire team.

Personalized Attention When You Need It Most

Lamothe Law Firm is selective about the cases it accepts. We ensure that we can devote our full attention and firm resources to each client, especially in cases as sensitive and important as those involving a sexual assault. 

When we accept your case, we are fully committed to getting justice for you. Our sexual assault lawyers combine compassion and caring with aggressive advocacy, understanding that assault victims need both emotional support and fierce legal representation.

Even if the perpetrator is sentenced in Louisiana’s criminal justice system, legal penalties do not typically address the direct harm that survivors endure. It will be our job to address that harm through a fair financial recovery.

We always make sure that our clients understand the concepts and definitions that are most pivotal to their case. It’s worth taking a moment, then, to detail what we mean when we refer to sexual assault in the context of a civil case. 

Various forms of sexual violence are considered felonies and misdemeanors under the Louisiana Criminal Code, many of which involve some form of non-consensual sexual touching, such as:

• Rape (first degree, second degree, third degree, and statutory)
• Child molestation
• Sex trafficking
• Sexual battery
• Oral sexual battery
• Sodomy

But criminal sexual abuse and exploitation can also occur in the absence of physical contact when the perpetrator:

• Shows sexually explicit images to a child
• Reveals body parts in an explicit manner
• Asks the victim to reveal themself in an explicit manner
• Records sexually inappropriate videos or pictures of the victim for personal use or distribution
• Requests the victim to take inappropriate pictures of themself to send to the perpetrator

Regardless of whether or not the perpetrator has been criminally charged, the victim is entitled to file a civil lawsuit to recover damages for the physical, emotional, and psychological wounds they have suffered. 

Sexual assault survivors typically face devastating challenges that can persist for years after the trauma, affecting every aspect of their lives. A survivor’s post-assault reality may include:

Mental Health Challenges

The psychological aftermath creates complex, interconnected difficulties:

• PTSD and Anxiety Disorders: Intrusive memories, nightmares, panic attacks, and hypervigilance can make daily functioning extremely difficult for survivors.
• Depression and Emotional Numbing: Many survivors experience persistent sadness, feelings of worthlessness, and disconnection from their emotions or relationships.
• Trust and Intimacy Issues: Survivors often struggle with maintaining close relationships or feeling safe with others in their lives.
• Substance Abuse: Alcohol or drugs frequently become problematic coping mechanisms for survivors dealing with unbearable emotional pain.
• Sleep and Concentration Problems: Insomnia, nightmares, and memory difficulties significantly impact survivors’ ability to work and manage daily life.

Physical Health Consequences

The physical toll of an assault can last much longer, and be much more severe, than immediate injuries. You might grapple with:

• Chronic Pain: Many survivors develop persistent headaches, muscle tension, and unexplained pain throughout their bodies.
• Gastrointestinal Problems: Survivors commonly experience stomach issues, eating disorders, and various digestive complications.
• Sexual Health Complications: These include STIs, pregnancy concerns, chronic pelvic pain, and ongoing difficulties with intimacy.
• Stress-Related Disorders: The trauma can manifest in cardiovascular problems, autoimmune conditions, and compromised immune function.

Financial Burdens

The economic impact can be devastating and long-lasting:

• Medical Expenses: Survivors face costs for emergency care, ongoing therapy, medications, and specialized treatments.
• Lost Income: Many survivors must take time off work for healing, court proceedings, and mental health treatment.
• Legal Costs: Attorney fees, court expenses, and litigation-related costs create additional financial strain.
• Indirect Expenses: Transportation to appointments, childcare during therapy, and relocation costs for safety add up significantly.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: Long-term career disruption occurs when trauma responses affect survivors’ ability to maintain consistent employment.

Your Interactions with the Criminal Justice System (and Other Institutions) Can Cause Even More Pain

Survivors often face additional trauma through inadequate institutional responses, including not being believed by law enforcement, retraumatizing criminal justice processes, undertrained healthcare providers, insufficient insurance coverage, and persistent social stigma. These brutal realities demonstrate why comprehensive, trauma-informed support systems are essential for survivor recovery.

Your sexual assault lawyer from Lamothe Law Firm will account for these and all other damages you are entitled to compensation for. 

A civil lawsuit after sexual assault is not only about recovering compensation—it’s about holding wrongdoers accountable, uncovering the truth, and giving survivors a legal avenue to reclaim power and find some closure. 

A New Orleans sexual assault lawyer from our team will provide both the legal strategy and compassionate support you need to face the process ahead with confidence and peace of mind. Our team will:

Conduct a Comprehensive Investigation Into Everyone Who Failed You

Your attorney will take the lead in uncovering every fact that strengthens your case, including:

• Securing evidence, such as medical records, police reports, surveillance footage, and digital communications
• Interviewing witnesses who may confirm what happened or identify patterns of misconduct.
• Consulting with experts in security, law enforcement, medical care, psychology, and other relevant fields to determine why your assault happened (and whose negligence played a role)
• Tracing institutional failures that allowed the assault, whether it’s a negligent property owner, employer, school, or event organizer who failed to protect you

Calculating the Full Impact of the Assault

Sexual assault inflicts harm that may affect the survivor for the remainder of their life. Your New Orleans sexual assault attorney will evaluate the true scope of your losses, taking a long-term view of:

• Medical treatment needs
• Rehabilitation needs
• Mental health service needs
• Professional harm, which could include the total loss of your career
• Emotional pain, psychological trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life

Lamothe Law Firm sees our clients as people dealing with profound pain and long-term challenges. Our documentation of your damages will reflect this humane perspective.

Standing Up to Defense Tactics

Survivors are often met with attempts to discredit or minimize their experiences. Your attorney from our team will:

• Shield you from unnecessary contact with the perpetrator or their representatives
• Challenge victim-blaming narratives with facts
• Push back against delay tactics that aim to drain your energy or resources

You’ve dealt with enough. Let us handle the bad-faith tactics all too common in sexual assault cases.

Protecting Your Privacy and Dignity

Sexual assault cases require careful handling to avoid retraumatization. When necessary, our experienced New Orleans lawyers:

• Seek protective orders to limit public exposure of sensitive details
• Manage media inquiries to preserve your privacy
• Arrange court accommodations when possible to reduce stress during proceedings

We believe that, as your lawyers, we are also your protectors.

Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve

Our eyes are on getting the financial justice you deserve. Whether that comes through a settlement or a court verdict, we will be there for you. So long as you get the compensation you are entitled to, and you are comfortable with how justice looks, then we will be satisfied.

Regardless of whether criminal charges were brought against the attacker, Louisiana law gives you a limited amount of time to pursue a civil lawsuit.

Typically, a victim of an injury in Louisiana has one to two years from the date of injury to file a civil lawsuit. However, Louisiana law provides that in some cases victims of sexual assault may file their lawsuit up to three years after the date the abuse occurred, or up to three years after the date the victim is notified of the identity of the perpetrator by law enforcement or a judicial agency. 

If you were a child when you were sexually abused in Louisiana, you most likely have until June 14, 2027 to file a lawsuit for your claim – no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. . The only way to know for sure which deadline applies to your own sexual abuse claim is to contact an attorney experienced in sexual abuse cases. 

Here are some facts you must weigh:

• In almost every case, there is a time limit for filing a civil sexual assault case—every moment you wait to hire a lawyer places your case in jeopardy
• Even if you think the deadline for filing your case may have passed, call Lamothe Law Firm—there can be exceptions
• Our firm has the experience, knowledge of Louisiana civil procedures, and resources to move quickly in filing your case

We will get to work for you immediately. Start by making the call to Lamothe Law Firm.