Sexually Assaulted at 7-11 by a Homeless Person – Injury Lawsuit Attorney

7-Eleven is one of the world’s most popular chain of convenience stores, with 9.552 stores in the U.S. as of 2020. Over 100 of those stores are in Los Angeles, meaning there’s at least one 7-11 in your neighborhood, and you’re probably there quite often. Most trips are quick and uneventful, but dangers can lurk around the corner when stores fail to take proper measures to ensure the safety of their customers. Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic incidents that can occur at a 7-11 store. In many of these cases, the assailant is a vagrant or homeless person who is loitering on the premises. Victims in these situations have many concerns, including:

• I was sexually assaulted at a 7-11 store by a vagrant. What do I do?
• Can I sue 7-11 if I was sexually assaulted in the store or in the parking lot?
• How can I find a lawyer that can help me if I was sexually assaulted at a 7-11 store by a homeless person?

If you have been sexually attacked at a 7-11, help is available to assist you through your physical and emotional recovery. But medical treatments and counseling come at a cost, which you shouldn’t have to pay if your sexual assault was due to the store’s negligence. The lawyers of Normandie can fight to recover the compensation you deserve in a premise liability lawsuit against 7-11. Contact our office and speak to one of our attorneys during a free consultation.

Liability of 7-11 in a Sexual Assault Case

We’ve all seen store owners confront people who are loitering in front of their stores for no good reason. And they have a right to, as loitering is technically a crime. But it’s unlikely the police will do anything about it unless the vagrant or homeless person looks like they’re about to commit a crime. That leaves 7-11 store owners in a tough position when there are people wandering around on their property. However, they must take any and all reasonable actions to prevent the possibility of sexual assault on their premise. For example, did customers complain to the store owner about a homeless person harassing them, but the store failed to call the police? If that homeless person ends up sexually assaulting someone in the store or in the parking lot, 7-11 can be sued for their negligence under the laws of premise liability.

To give credit where it’s due, many owners do confront vagrants directly or call the police if customers complain. But it’s not enough for them to deal with problems once they happen. Premise liability laws require owners to take all reasonable security measures for the safety of their guests. These measures include surveillance cameras, secure doors and locks, bright lighting, and having more than one staff member in the store at all times. Even overgrown hedges or piles of boxes and debris can pose hazards if an assailant is able to hide behind them.

If lack of security or another form of negligence led to your sexual assault, you may have grounds to sue 7-11 for your injuries and emotional distress. However, proving a store’s liability in a case of sexual assault take through research and investigation, so it’s best to work with an attorney who is experienced with premise liability lawsuits.
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Sexual Assault Incidents at 7-11 Stores

Sexual assault refers to any kind of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without consent from the victim. These acts include unwelcome kissing, fondling, and groping, or threatening / coercing the victim to perform sexual acts. Here are some examples of sexual assault that can occur at a 7-11 store:

• A customer is groped in the store by a homeless person while she is browsing in one of the aisles. She cries out for help, but the cashier has gone out for a cigarette break and there is no one else in the store.

• As a teenager checks his phone in a 7-11 parking lot, a vagrant sneaks up behind him with a knife and tells him to turn over his phone and wallet. As the vagrant searches through the victim’s pockets, he takes the opportunity to sexually molest him.

• A woman is getting ready to pull out of a parking spot at her local 7-11. She has parked in the back of the store, and the lighting there is not bright enough at night. An attacker runs up with a gun, enters her car, and rapes her before taking off with her vehicle.

There are many other ways victims can be sexually assaulted at a 7-11 store. Some incidents are not as obvious as the above examples, and you may be wondering if you were sexually assaulted. If you are confused about what has happened to you, please give us a call and speak to one of our attorneys. Victims need compassion and respect during this time, along with qualified legal advice. Our sexual assault lawsuit attorneys are here to address all your questions and concerns.

Should I file a police report?

Yes, you should absolutely file a police report if you’ve been sexually assaulted by a vagrant or homeless person at a 7-11. A lot of victims are scared and confused after their attack, and just want to go home. But this is the worst thing you can do, even if you don’t plan on filing criminal charges. A police report, along with your medical records, are the most important pieces of evidence in a case of sexual assault. That’s why we always advise victims to call 911 or their local police precinct, depending on the severity of their injuries.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to take action against your attacker or other parties that are responsible for your injuries. But many victims change their mind later, and end up pursuing a criminal prosecution or filing a lawsuit for the harm that was done to them. You may very well find yourself in the same situation, and if so, it’s essential to have a police report as the foundation of your case.

What to do after a Sexual Assault

In addition to filing a police report, there are several steps you should take if you’ve been sexually assaulted at a 7-11:

• Get medical treatment for your injuries.

Protecting your physical and sexual health is the most important step following a sexual attack. Additionally, the doctor can collect physical evidence from you, such as bodily fluids and hair samples in case you decide to take legal action against your attacker. We suggest going to the ER, since they are the best equipped in terms of treatments and medical professionals.

• Contact a rape crisis center or talk to a mental health professional as soon as you can.

The hospital that treats your injuries will provide you with a social worker or a hotline to call for counseling. Victims are usually reluctant to talk about their experience, but it’s essential that you don’t keep things to yourself. Sexual assault victims often develop PTSD, insomnia, depression, and other mental disorders as a result of their attack. Talking to a social worker or trained counselor is the first step to managing these disorders.

• Learn about your legal rights as a victim of sexual assault.

Even if you don’t plan on filing a lawsuit, you may change your mind later. A lawyer can provide important information, including the damages you can ask for and how long you have to file a lawsuit. We can also advise you on whether or not to file criminal charges, which you can do even if you’re filing a lawsuit. Ultimately, legal options are available to you, but deciding on the right path for your situation requires guidance from an experienced attorney.

For more information on filing an injury claim for sexual assault, contact the premise liability lawyers of Normandie.

What if I only have Minor Injuries – Can I still sue?

Yes, even if your physical injuries are minor, or you don’t have any visible injuries, you can still sue for emotional distress as a sexual assault victim. 7-Eleven’s insurance company may tell you otherwise, but lawsuits based largely or solely on mental disorders like PTSD have been successful in the California courts. The key is to hire a skilled attorney, who will find doctors and expert witnesses to support your claim for pain and suffering. Your lawyer can also calculate a fair amount of compensation and back them up with sound legal arguments. Our attorneys have extensive experience recovering settlements for PTSD and other forms of trauma. If you are struggling with the emotional impact of your sexual assault at a 7-11 store, please give us a call to learn about your rights and legal options.

What is the Average Value of a 7-11 Sexual Assault Case?

Case values for sexual assault incidents at 7-11 are typically in the five to 7 figure range. This amount is based on the victim’s physical and mental injuries, and the damage to their health and well-being as a result of those injuries. To give you an idea of what we’re talking about, let’s take a look at some previous lawsuits involving store liability.

• A woman was abducted and raped as she was walking out of a gas station convenience store. At her trial, the jury agreed that the gas station was liable since there was a sexual assault on their premises prior to the plaintiff’s incident. Additionally, the store was located in a high crime area, yet the owner failed to take additional security measures. The jury awarded the victim $1.3 million.

• The plaintiff was sexually assaulted while using the bathroom at a convenience store. Though she had no physical injuries, the victim suffered from flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks in the weeks after her attack. She sued the store for PTSD and other forms of emotional distress. In mediation, the case was settled for $67,000.

• The victim was walking home after eating at a fast food restaurant, when he was attacked by a vagrant who was hiding behind some overgrown hedges. The man, who was mugged and sexually assaulted, sued the restaurant for security issues due to the overgrown hedges. His lawyer also found that management had known about the vagrant from customer complaints. Right before trial, both sides agreed to settle the case for $570,000.

• A woman was attacked while walking to her car after shopping at a 24-hour grocery store. The assailant knew cameras in that lot were broken, and used that opportunity to threaten and sexually grope the woman. Though a passerby chased off the attacker, the victim was emotionally traumatized and filed a lawsuit against the store. After months of negotiation, both sides agreed to a settlement of $46,000.

We hope these examples were helpful to you, but they should only be used for general purposes. The value of your sexual assault case against 7-11 can only be determined by a knowledgeable attorney. To ensure that you are properly compensated for your losses, please schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers.

How long does it take to settle a sexual assault case against 7-11?

The goal in any sexual assault case is to reach a settlement as soon as possible, so the victim can move forward with their life. The process starts by filing an insurance claim to demand compensation for your physical and emotional injuries. The insurance company can either deny your claim or make an offer, which will probably be lower than what you’re seeking. It’s highly recommended that you speak to a lawyer before accepting the first offer. If the offer is too low, they can help you negotiate a settlement with the insurer, which can take anywhere from a few months to a year.

But what if the negotiations don’t go anywhere or the insurance company rejects your claim? In that case, you’ll need to file a lawsuit to recover your damages. Filing a lawsuit means that you’re prepared to go to court if necessary, but around 95% of all lawsuits are settled before the trial date. However, once a lawsuits it filed, it can take anywhere from 1 to 2 years to reach a settlement through mediation. If you can’t reach an agreement with help from a mediator, then you’ll have to proceed with a trial. The length of a trial depends on the complexity of your sexual assault, the evidence needed to support your claim, and the number of witnesses that are called by both sides. By the time a jury reaches a verdict, it may be several years from the date of your attack.

Unfortunately, retailers like 7-11 fight hard to avoid paying on claims of sexual assault. The majority of cases are not taken seriously until a lawsuit is filed, and at that point, it may be 2 or more years before the case is settled. Thus, it’s important to start the claims process as soon as possible. If you’re ready to take action in a claim for sexual assault, call the lawyers of Normandie without delay.

Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Cases

In California, sexual assault victims have 10 years from the date of their attack to file a lawsuit, as long as the incident occurred on or after January 1, 2019. If your sexual assault occurred before that date, you have 3 years from the date of the attack to sue 7-11 for damages. The statute of limitations for sex abuse victims is very generous in California, but it’s best to act as soon as you can when it comes to sexual assault lawsuits. The more time goes by, the harder it is to collect evidence, locate witnesses, and investigate the scene of your crime. That can hurt your case and credibility, especially if you go to trial. That’s why it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible if you were sexually attacked at a 7-11 store. To ensure that your rights are protected, contact our office and talk to a sexual abuse lawsuit attorney.

Our Zero Fee Guarantee

Victims of sexual assault deserve compensation for their injuries, but many of them suffer in silence because of the costs associated with legal representation. Let us put your mind at ease with our Zero fee guarantee. As our client, you will never be charged for any of our services, even if we go to trial. The only way we recover our fees is we win your case. And if we lose your case, we eat the costs and you walk away with no further obligation to us.

When you come in for your initial consultation, you can trust that we will treat you with the respect, dignity, and compassion you deserve. Our job is to provide legal advice and help you decide on the best course of action for your physical and mental health. No matter what road you choose to take, we are here for you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to learn more about your rights as a sexual abuse victim, please contact the lawyers of Normandie.