The discovery of harm in Pasadena sexual abuse cases is a rule that allows someone to extend their statute of limitations. The statute of limitations refers to the time limit that an individual has in order to file a personal injury claim. If the limit runs out, the plaintiff loses the right to sue the party at fault for their injury damages. Know that a professional injury attorney can help to further explain this concept, as well as how it may apply to one’s own unique circumstances. Read on to learn more about the discovery of harm in Pasadena sexual abuse cases, as well as the ways a dedicated attorney can offer you their assistance today.
What is the Discovery of Harm Rule?
The discovery of harm in Pasadena sexual abuse cases relates back to the statute of limitations. In personal injury cases, the discovery of harm can sometimes extend the statute of limitations if the individual did not know about the sexual abuse before. If someone truly does not know that they have been sexually abused because they were under sedation or were too young to understand what was happening, then the statute of limitations would extend until the time when the individual reasonably can have discovered the harm and injury done to them.
The Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is specific to the facts of any individual’s particular case. There are general statutes of limitations but they can be extended or pulled for various reasons, one of which includes the discovery of harm rule in Pasadena sexual abuse cases. If an ordinary statute of limitations would have run its course and someone would not have had the ability to then seek relief or compensation for their injuries in court, that can be extended if they did not discover it earlier because of particular circumstances.
What Can Someone Do if They Believe a Loved One is Being Abused?
If someone thinks that another individual is being sexually abused, the first thing they should do is call the police and report the abuse. They should do whatever they can to make sure that it does not continue. It is recommended that they encourage the injured party to contact an attorney just to understand what their rights are and what legal actions can be taken to prevent others from being harmed by the party at fault. They can inform them about the discovery of harm in Pasadena sexual abuse cases, and how that can affect their particular situation.
In terms of removing their loved one from the location, it depends on the circumstance. If it is a child being abused, their ability to remove them would depend on their relation to that child. If an individual is a parent and the child is being sexually abused by another family member, they can move the child out of contact with that abuser. If someone in school is being abused by a teacher or another student, then a parent can immediately pull that student out of school. It depends on the particular circumstances and the best options of the abused individual. If someone has questions about these topics, it is best to contact a knowledgeable injury attorney and speak with them about it.
