Sexually Abused by Target Employee Lawsuit Lawyer

Were you sexually abused by a store employee while you were shopping at a Target location? Are you the parent of a child who was sexually assaulted by someone that works for Target? Sexual abuse is deeply traumatic at any age, and these incidents are unfortunately common at many retailers, ranging from supermarkets to warehouse membership stores.

As a victim of sexual assault, you have the right to file a lawsuit for monetary damages, like pain and suffering, and mental anguish. However, it’s essential to obtain legal advice from a Target store sexual abuse attorney, who can fight for the compensation you deserve. For more information on how to sue for a Target employee molestation case, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Sexual Abuse Incidents at a Target Store

Sexual abuse is generally defined as sexual activity or harassment against an unwilling individual. Or, if the victim is a minor, any kind of sexual interaction is defined as sexual abuse under California law. The problem is, many people have different beliefs and standards when it comes to sexual assault. That’s why it’s important to understand what this means in a legal sense. Below are examples of conduct by a Target employee that can fall under the legal standard of sexual abuse:

• Attempted rape or rape, which includes sexual penetration with an object
• Forcing or manipulating an individual into activity that results in sexual gratification
• Exposing one’s genitals or masturbating in front of someone
• Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature (groping, touching someone’s breasts, etc).
• Commenting on someone’s body and other sexual remarks
• Showing pornography or other sexually explicit content to a minor
• Solicitation of a minor (which includes in-person interactions as well as online / text exchanges)

Can I Sue Target if I was Sexually Abused by One of Its Employees? 

Yes, you can file a lawsuit against Target for sexual abuse by an employee if:

• Target failed to take protective measures that could have prevented an incident of sexual abuse.
• The company failed to act once they became aware of sexual abuse allegations against one of its workers.
• The employee committed the act of abuse within the scope of employment, thus Target is vicariously liable for the victim’s harm and suffering.

The first two elements include various forms of neglect, such as inadequate hiring practices, poor employee training, and lack of supervision / security measures. Not contacting law enforcement is another way that a Target location can fail in its duty of care to its customers. In our experience with sexual assault cases on retail properties, we have come across shocking levels of neglect, like hiding evidence of sexual abuse by a staff member instead of turning it over to the police. These employees are also allowed to stay at the store year after year. Alternatively, they are quietly moved to another store location, where they can continue their pattern of assault and harassment.

Suing Target on the Principle of Vicarious Liability

In this section, we will talk about the circumstances where an employer is indirectly responsible for the actions of an employee. In other words, there are situations where Target may be sued for harm that was caused by one of their workers, including psychological damage and bodily harm from sexual abuse.

The principle of vicarious liability holds an employer responsible when someone they are in charge of causes injury to another party. But the actions of the employee must have occurred within the course of their job duties. For example, Target may be vicariously liable if a child that was sexually assaulted by an employee in one of the fitting rooms. This employee works in the children’s clothing section and is in charge of supervising the dressing rooms, so one can make an argument that the employee acted within the bounds of their job duties.

But the concept of vicarious liability does not apply if the employee’s actions took place outside of their work duties, like in the parking lot after they had finished their shift or left for a lunch break. These are black and white examples, but there are many scenarios that are somewhere in between, so it’s best to consult a target store sexual assault attorney.

How Much can I Receive from a Target Employee Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

The amount of compensation for a sexual misconduct lawsuit by a Target employee can range from $500,000 to $3,000,000 and above. We would say that settlement values are typically higher if the victim is underage, but there many adults who have received $2,000,000 or more in compensation for sexual assault while they were at a store. These cases may involve gross negligence, which refers to an extreme departure from the normal standard of care that is owed to another party. For example, there may be a long history of lax hiring practices and retaining workers that have been accused of sexual abuse multiple times.

In the most extreme cases of injury caused by gross negligence, a Target employee molestation case may be worth between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. But we’ve also had lawsuits that were settled for under $400,000, so at end of the day, there is no such thing as an average case value. If you’re interested in finding out how much you can receive in a Target store sexual assault lawsuit, contact us today.

What is the Estimated Time to Settle these Cases?

On average, claims involving sexual abuse take 1 to 2 years to settle. Most cases of personal injury are settled within 6 to 12 months, but sexual assault lawsuits against major corporations can take longer, especially if the company is not directly liable for the harm you suffered. Cases involving child victims can take long as well – perhaps 18 to 24 months depending on the available evidence, the requested settlement amount, and many other factors.

With help from an experienced sexual assault lawyer, you have a better than average chance of receiving payment within 8 to 12 months. Without an attorney, these cases can drag on for years, or your lawsuit may be thrown out of court over an unintended error or lack of knowledge about the legal system. To ensure the best possible outcome in a Target employee sexual abuse claim, please take some time to discuss the details of your case with one of our attorneys.

Statute of Limitations – How Long Do I have to File a Lawsuit?

The deadline to sue for sexual abuse depends on how old you were at the time of the incident. For those who were 18 years of age or older, you have 10 years to file a lawsuit against Target. But if you were a minor, meaning you were younger than 17, your time limit for a lawsuit is either:

• 22 years after your 18^th birthday
• 5 years from when you discover an injury that was caused by child sexual abuse.

You can base the statute of limitations on whichever comes later. Why is this important? Well, some people do not fully understand the abuse they suffered or how it has affected their lives until they are older than 40. We know for a fact that many of our clients repressed memories of sexual assault, or they were talked out of going to the police or seeking help in any other way. They try to go on with their lives, but the shame and guilt of what they experienced causes mental health problems that they are unable to associate with abuse during their childhood.

For these victims, understanding the injuries they suffered from sexual assault at a Target store may not happen for many years. That’s where the discovery rule can be of help, as it gives you 5 years to file a sexual abuse lawsuit, even if you are past the 22-year time limit.

Don’t worry if you find all this to be overwhelming. Our legal team is here to answer all your questions, including how long you have to sue Target for sexual abuse by one of its employees.

Speak to a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorney

Legal advice is the key to obtaining justice if you or your loved one was sexually abused by a Target store employee. That’s why we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have questions about your rights and legal options.

We are more than ready to bring you the highest possible settlement from a Target employee sexual assault lawsuit. Under the Zero Fee Guarantee, our payment is recovered at the end of your case, when you receive your settlement check from Target. This is the only way we get paid, so if we don’t win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing.

Please take a moment to contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation if you were sexually abused by a Target store staff member.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Target Store Assault and Battery Lawyer