Sexual Assault Lawyers in Aurora

Representation for Survivors & Families in Northern Illinois

A civil sexual assault claim can seek damages from the person who committed the assault and, in some cases, an institution whose conduct caused or enabled the harm. At Turner Law Group, we provide individualized attention and thorough case preparation for survivors and families in DeKalb County, Illinois, Kane County, Kendall County, and throughout Northern Illinois. 

Attorneys Rick Turner, Margie Komes Putzler, and Lauren Edmunds lead our firm, which has represented individuals and families in Illinois personal injury claims since 1981. We understand that the need for legal guidance may arise alongside medical care, counseling, family concerns, and decisions about criminal reporting. Our role is to explain the civil process, assess potential sources of liability, and prepare a claim supported by the available evidence.

Discuss a potential civil sexual assault claim with our attorneys. Call (800) 653-0198 to request a free consultation.

Liability in Care Facilities, Rideshares & Nursing Homes

The individual who committed an assault may not be the only potentially responsible party. Institutional liability is separate from the perpetrator’s criminal responsibility. Depending on the facts, a treatment facility, nursing home, employer, or other organization may be liable for negligent hiring, retention, supervision, or premises security.

We have published information for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and institutional abuse. We’ve also discussed the difficulty of obtaining compensation when an individual perpetrator lacks sufficient assets and a verdict involving alleged negligence at Pavilion Behavioral Health System. These issues make it important to investigate institutional conduct, insurance coverage, and other potential sources of recovery.

Sexual Assault in a Treatment Facility

A care provider may have responsibilities related to hiring, retaining, and supervising employees. An investigation can examine prior complaints, internal reports, staffing records, policies, and actions taken after warning signs or reported misconduct. Liability depends on the evidence and the legal duties that apply under the circumstances.

Uber & Lyft Rideshare Sexual Assault

Uber and Lyft rideshare sexual assault litigation has included allegations of inadequate driver screening and responses to safety complaints. Each claim requires analysis of the incident, the driver, relevant company practices, and available records. Trip information, communications, reports, witness details, and other digital evidence may help determine who bears civil responsibility.

Sexual Assault & Neglect in Nursing Homes

Illinois law defines abuse in a nursing home to include sexual assault inflicted on a resident by nonaccidental means. When an administrator becomes aware of suspected abuse, the administrator must immediately report it by telephone and in writing to the resident’s representative and the Illinois Department of Public Health. A lawsuit may also examine whether negligent supervision, retention, hiring, or security contributed to the harm.

Illinois Deadlines for Civil Sexual Assault Claims

The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Illinois adult sexual assault claims generally fall under a two-year personal injury deadline measured from the incident, but another law or claim type may provide a different filing period. The survivor’s age, the defendant, the specific facts, and the legal basis for the claim can affect which deadline applies.

Claims involving childhood sexual abuse generally may be filed at any time under current Illinois law, though claims already time-barred before January 1, 2014 remain subject to a 20-year deadline measured from the survivor turning 18 or discovering both the abuse and its connection to an injury, whichever is later. The Illinois Gender Violence Act may provide a seven-year filing period after a qualifying claim accrues or after the survivor turns 18 if the survivor was a minor at the time. Because these rules are fact-specific, an individual legal review is important.

Damages & Evidence in a Civil Claim

We evaluate economic damages, meaning measurable financial losses, and non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering and other personal effects without a fixed invoice. Depending on the evidence and applicable law, recoverable losses may include medical expenses, counseling costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other documented harm.

Potentially relevant evidence may include:

• Records, reports, and communications concerning the incident
• Photographs and witness contact information
• Medical and counseling documentation
• Facility policies, personnel records, and internal complaints
• Rideshare trip data and communications
• Documents showing income loss and other financial effects

Evidence preservation matters because records and available information can change over time. We document losses and communicate with insurance companies while preparing the claim, so survivors and families don’t have to determine the value of the case on their own.

How We Prepare Sexual Assault Claims

Our initial legal review identifies potentially responsible individuals and institutions. We assess liability, available insurance, and the evidence needed to pursue damages. This includes examining what occurred, what an organization knew or should have known, and whether its actions or failures contributed to the harm.

As the case develops, we track treatment and financial losses as they become known. We prepare for negotiations with insurance companies while building the factual and legal record needed for litigation. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we prepare the case for trial.

A lawsuit can proceed independently of decisions made during a criminal investigation or prosecution. Sexual assault may lead to criminal proceedings brought by the government and a separate civil action seeking damages. A criminal conviction isn’t necessarily required before a survivor can explore civil options.