Sexual Assault in a Gym Shower or Bath – Lawyer for Sexual Abuse Victims

Going to the gym should have a positive effect on your mind and body, but for some people, these places can be a source of lifelong pain and trauma. Though it’s the last thing anyone expects, lack of security at a fitness center can lead to incident of sexual assault, particularly in the showers. Many gyms also have bath tubs and hot tubs, and these areas are prone to sexual abuse incidents as well, either from gym employees, other guests, or trespassers that sneak onto the premises.

Were you sexually assaulted while you were in a gym shower or bath? These incidents are disturbingly common at fitness facilities, and victims have the right to seek monetary damages, as well as criminal prosecution. But these are complex legal actions that you should discuss with an experienced sexual abuse lawsuit attorney. The lawyers of Normandie Law Firm are ready to advise you of your legal options during a free case review. For more information on your right to sue for sexual assault at a gym, contact us today.

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Can I Sue if I was Sexually Assaulted in a Gym Shower?

Yes, you are allowed to file a lawsuit and demand compensation from the person that sexually abused you in a gym shower or bath tub. However, you may also have grounds to sue to gym where the incident occurred. This is based on the law of premises liability, i.e., the legal responsibility that property owners have when someone is injured on their premises.

As a business, a gym or exercise studio must take security measures to prevent cases of assault and battery. That’s why you typically notice surveillance cameras at these places, along with bright lighting in the parking lot and other outdoor areas. Of course, cameras are not allowed in locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers, where people have a right to privacy. And many of these places have communal showers, cold immersion tubs, hot tubs, etc., where people are expected to share the same space.

However, there are plenty of reasonable measures that can be taken by gym owners to minimize incidents of sexual assault for guests and visitors. These include, but are not limited to:

• Making sure that only members / approved guests are allowed to enter the gym.

• Restricting access into the facilities by having a main entrance/ exit area and ensuring that doors are not propped open for extended periods of time.

• Installing security cameras in corridors leading to the locker rooms and showers, which will ensure privacy for the members while serving as a deterrent to sexual predators.

• Thorough background checks on all employees prior to hiring, with on-going supervision once they are hired.

• Proper training of employees, along with a protocol on what to do when guests report that they were sexually abused or raped in gym showers or bathing areas.

• Immediate removal of employees or guests who are accused of sexual abuse, followed by suspension, ban, or termination following an investigation by the authorities.

Ultimately, liability for a sexual assault is determined by many factors that are unique to the premises and the circumstances that led up to the incident. Our legal experts can help you figure out who is responsible for the harm you’ve suffered and obtain the damages you deserve by law.

What is the Deadline to File a Lawsuit?

Those who are 18 years or older at the time of the incident have 10 years to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse. Alternatively, you have up to 3 years from the time you discover the effects of sexual assault (physical or psychological) to bring a lawsuit against the responsible entities.

Your deadline for a lawsuit is based on the latter of these dates, which is a subject you can discuss with one of our attorneys during a free case evaluation. It’s important that you get this right, as missing the deadline to file a claim will most likely invalidate your right to a lawsuit.

What is the Expected Value of a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?

Those who are sexually abused in gym showers or baths end up with various physical and/or mental injuries, which impact their lives in different ways. This will determine the type of compensation they are eligible to receive, and how much they can ask for in a lawsuit against their abuser and the gym where they were assaulted.

Since case values are dependent on circumstances that are unique to each incident, we would need to speak with you directly in order to figure out the potential value of your settlement award. However, it’s safe to say that settlement values are generally high in these cases, with payments starting at around $450,000 and above. A good deal of the cases we’ve settled on behalf of our clients resulted in settlements of $1,000,000 or more, with the highest payments exceeding $5,000,000.

How Long will it Take to Settle a Gym Sexual Abuse Claim?

This is one of the most unpredictable factors in any case involving sexual assault, as there are too many variables that can affect how long it will take to reach a settlement. As your legal advocate, our goal is to negotiate a favorable settlement with the defendant’s insurance company, hopefully within 6 months. But many of these cases progress to a lawsuit, which is not unusual when you consider how accusations of sexual abuse can damage one’s reputation. That’s why aggressive representation is essential with these cases, particularly if your case goes to trial. This is unlikely; over 95% of sexual abuse claims are settled without the need for court intervention. However, it’s important to note that resolving a sexual assault lawsuit against a major business can take anywhere from one to several years.

Legal Advice from a California Sexual Abuse Attorney

Holding someone accountable for an incident of sexual assault means different things for different people. Ultimately, legal action is the best course of action for many people, and in California, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit, whether you choose to seek criminal prosecution. However, you will need to learn about your rights and legal options before undertaking any legal action, which is why we would like to offer you a free consultation. You can also contact our law firm for a free second opinion if you are in the middle of a lawsuit and need advice from another lawyer with experience in sexual assault cases.

In addition to our many years of experience, you will receive a Zero Fee Guarantee as our promise to you that you won’t be responsible for any legal fees. We represent you without charging you a penny and wait until the end of your case to receive payment. That only happens if we win your case, so you will never pay out of pocket when you become one of our clients.

To speak with a fitness center or gym sexual assault lawyer, feel free to contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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