The leaves are changing, which means across the country, students are returning to their college campuses and getting ready to focus on their academic careers. Unfortunately, it also means that many students will face an increased risk of sexual assault or partner violence, as RAINN estimates that more than50% of college assaults occur from August through November.
Since 2008, September has been dedicated to National Campus Safety Awareness Month, in an attempt to shine a light on the growing problem of assault and injury on college campuses. If you’ve been a victim of another person’s intentional actions on campus, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them, on the legal basis of an intentional tort. In this post, our Hartford personal injury attorneys at Zayas Law Firm will review what intentional torts are, and how you can seek justice if you’ve been injured.
What Is an Intentional Tort?
Simply put, an intentional tort is any action which someone commits with the intent to commit a harmful act, or to cause willful negligence. Although “intention” is included in the name, it usually refers to the act itself: The person who harmed you does not necessarily have to intend ill towards you, as long as their intentional action caused you harm or distress.
Intentional tort law allows victims of serious crimes, such as assault and battery, to seek financial restitution through the civil courts. This kind of litigation can be pursued alongside any criminal proceedings, so even if the government is pressing charges against your attacker, it may be worth considering a civil lawsuit as well.
Campus Safety & Sexual Assault: How to Fight for Justice
When you’ve been assaulted or otherwise injured on a college campus, it can feel overwhelming to continue your education in that same space. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, more than 1 in 5 female college students will be sexually assaulted during their undergraduate degree, and 1 in 16 men will also face this trauma – an unacceptable epidemic of violence against our nation’s young people.
Although the criminal justice system will often pursue justice on your behalf, this isn’t always the case, as more than 60% of assault victims do not report crimes, and even when they do, their attackers rarely see appropriate jail time or fines. It makes sense, then, that many people have turned to the civil courts to seek the justice they can’t get in the criminal courtroom. Under the principle of intentional torts, you can fight for the financial redress you deserve in light of your pain and suffering.
As Campus Safety Awareness Month draws needed attention to the issue of sexual assault, know you can fight for the compensation you need if you’re hurt during your schooling. Our Hartford personal injury attorneys at Zayas Law Firm are committed to advocating on your behalf, and ensuring that you will receive compensation for your losses.
Were you injured on a college campus? Contact Zayas Law Firm today at (860) 854-9156 for a free consultation in Hartford and surrounding areas.