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Experienced Sexual Assault Claims Attorneys in Fort Collins, CO

Have you been sexually assaulted? We offer confidential and compassionate consultations.

We are experienced attorneys representing survivors of sexual assault in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado and we produce the results to back it up.

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Sexual Assault

$300,000

Recovery for sexual assault

About Us We are a collaborative team with the ability to deliver for you.

All of our lead attorneys have extensive litigation experience against insurance companies. Our attorneys have secured multi million-dollar judgments and settlements. Many of our attorneys previously worked defending insurance companies. Now we use their experience and insight to advocate for our clients against those same insurance companies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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    Overview Here’s everything you need to know.

    Table of Contents

    Overview

    No one should have to endure the emotional trauma or physical pain caused by sexual assault or abuse. Tragically, these acts of violence can affect individuals of all ages — from children to seniors — and they impact people of any gender or ability. Sexual violence is not only a physical violation; it can also leave deep psychological scars. Survivors may face long-term mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating or learning, nightmares, and social withdrawal.

    In many cases, these crimes go unreported. Victims may remain silent out of fear, shame, confusion, or a lack of support. This leaves perpetrators free to harm others. It is vital that we create a culture of support and understanding, where survivors are believed, empowered, and given the resources they need to heal.

    We represent survivors of sexual assault and abuse by bringing civil claims against individuals, businesses, and organizations. Claims for sexual assault can stem from:

    • Businesses improperly hiring, supervising and retaining employees causing sexual assault in restaurants, gyms, massage parlors, schools, nursing homes, daycare facilities and workplaces.
    • Property owners and landlords providing inadequate or negligent security.
    • Negligent supervision of coaches and teachers.
    • Reporting sexual assault and pursuing a related claim can be intimidating. We are here to provide you with compassionate representation. Our goal is to educate you about your rights and to pursue your claim with integrity.

    You may have many questions and concerns about how to move forward after experiencing sexual assault — from how to report the incident, to understanding what types of compensation you may be entitled to, and whether third parties who allowed the abuse to happen can be held accountable. Our team is here to provide clear answers, support your rights, and guide you through the legal process of pursuing a civil claim. We have recovered millions of dollars for victims of sexual assault, but more importantly we have held wrongdoers accountable and achieved justice for victims.

    What is Consent?

    Colorado law defines consent to sexual contact as cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will and with knowledge of the nature of the act.

    A current or previous relationship does not establish consent to sexual contact.

    Submitting to sexual contact under the influence of fear does not constitute consent.

    What is the age of consent to sexual contact in Colorado?

    Colorado’s age of consent to sexual contact is 17 years old in most scenarios.

    Who cannot consent to sexual contact?

    Pursuant to Colorado law, there are certain instances in which a person cannot legally consent to sexual contact:

    • Statutory Rape – occurs when an adult is engaging in sexual activities with a minor- regardless of the minor’s perceived consent.
    • Position of Trust – a person in a position of trust (teachers, therapists, authority figures) cannot legally engage in lawful sexual contact with minors.

    What is the definition of Sexual Assault?

    Colorado law defines sexual assault as follows:

    • Sexual Assault (Rape): Sexual penetration achieved through force, intimidation or when the victim cannot consent due to incapacity, intoxication or they are unconscious
    • Sexual Contact: touching of a person’s intimate parts for personal gratification without the person’s consent.
    • Sexual Exploitation: Taking sexual advantage of someone for personal gratification- exposing oneself or coercing sexual acts

    Can I sue the person who sexually assaulted me?

    If a person sexually assaulted you, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the person for sexual assault. A civil lawsuit is separate from a criminal case. While criminal cases punish the offenders through jail, fines, or otherwise, a civil case allows you to recover compensation for the harm you suffered as a result of the assault.

    How much compensation can I recover on a civil sexual assault case?

    The amount you can recover in a civil sexual assault case is often case specific and depends on the harm caused by the offender. Colorado has certain caps on what victims can recover for non-economic damages resulting from sexual assault. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and emotional distress. The current damage caps can be found here.

    What type of compensation can I recover on a civil sexual assault case?

    Civil sexual assault cases allow you to recover different categories of damages or compensation including the following:

    • Non-economic damages: These damages are a result of your pain and suffering and emotional distress. There is no formula in the law to determine what amount this might be. Reach out to your Fort Collins sexual assault lawyer to have your non-economic damages evaluated today.
    • Medical expenses.
    • Lost Wages
    • Costs of counseling or therapy.

    A sexual assault lawsuit can hold the offender accountable for their actions and provide you with compensation for what you have endured. Contact HSD Law today to ensure you are able to fully recover the damages outlined above. The experienced attorneys at Hadfield Stieben & Doutt will fight for you to obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible.

    Who can I sue for sexual assault?

    Businesses can be sued for a sexual assault that occurred if the business:

    • Failed to properly vet employees before hiring,
    • Failed to properly supervise the employees while they are on the job
    • Had reason to know the employees might pose a risk to the public through receipt of complaints or otherwise
    • Failed to have adequate security to protect the public from its employees, or
    • Fostered a work environment which allowed sexual misconduct to occur without punishment or accountability

    Examples of businesses where the offender worked if the assault happened while the offender was on the job include:

    • Massage parlors
    • Property management companies
    • In home health care
    • Gyms
    • Schools
    • Churches
    • Hotels
    • Hospitals

    It is important to have an experienced sexual assault attorney evaluate the facts of your assault to determine claims can be made against businesses or employers related to the assault.

    What is the statute of limitations for civil sexual assault claims in Colorado?

    The laws in Colorado changed in 2022 to eliminate many statutes of limitations that would apply to civil sexual assault claims for assaults that occurred on January 1, 2022 or after. Claims against businesses or employers are subject to certain statutes of limitations. To be sure you do not miss your chance to seek compensation for your assault contact our office today.

    Resources for Colorado Sexual Assault Victims

    Fort Collins offers the following resources to sexual assault victims:

    • ChildSafe is Northern Colorado’s only comprehensive outpatient treatment program for child and adult victims of childhood abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, and their non-offending family members.
    • CASA of Larimer County. CASA’s mission is to advocate for safe, nurturing, and permanent connections to family and community so children who have experienced abuse and neglect can have the opportunity to thrive.
    • The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center of Larimer & Weld Counties. SAVA’s mission is to provide crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling for all those affected by sexual violence and provide prevention programs through community outreach and education.
    • The Crawford Child Advocacy Center. CCAC’s mission is to prevent and respond to abuse and victimization through proven child-centered methods, professional forensic interviews, and collaborative advocacy.

    What’s my plan?

    The insurance company or corporation has a plan. You need one too. We know the actions to take and the choices to make.

    You got hurt.
    Don’t stress, we’ve got you covered.

    More Questions?

    Consultation

    Each case begins with a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We will answer your questions. We will learn how you or a loved one was harmed. We will explain what you can expect from us, what needs to be done to obtain justice, and the timeline of the case. We can meet at our office, talk over the phone, or meet at your location if you are unable to travel. After the consultation, you choose whether to hire us as your attorneys.

    Step 01

    Representation

    We will notify all involved insurance companies, claims adjusters, and lawyers that they must communicate with us about your case. You won’t be bothered by their phone calls, emails or letters from this point forward. If you must give a statement to anyone regarding the incident, we will advise you what to expect. We will be there with you when you give your statement. You do not pay us while your case is pending. Our fees are paid from any money we recover. If we don’t recover anything, we don’t get paid fees.

    Step 02

    Investigation

    We will gather evidence to support your case. We will obtain incident reports, interview witnesses and investigators, and notify anyone in possession of evidence that they must preserve it for your case. We will inspect and photograph the scene of the incident and evidence involved in the incident. We will obtain your medical records and bills to support your case. We will also determine all parties who may be liable for your injuries and damages.

    Step 03

    Expert Involvement

    When necessary, we will work with experts to obtain opinions in support of your claim. We will consult with your doctors to get their opinions about your future medical needs or permanent impairment. Sometimes, other types of experts are necessary. There are many types of experts. We know how to find the right expert for your case. For example, we may ask a crash reconstructionist to explain how a disputed collision occurred or an engineer to evaluate the danger of a property condition. We pay all experts’ fees up front.

    Step 04

    Settlement

    In most cases, we can resolve your claim without court involvement. We compile the information described above and present it to the at-fault party or their insurance company. We request a specific monetary amount as compensation for you. If we reach a settlement, then your claim is resolved and we turn to resolving reimbursement obligations.

    Step 05

    Litigation

    In some cases, you must file a lawsuit to obtain a fair recovery. We will give you our opinion about whether any offer on the table is fair, but it’s your choice whether or not to file a lawsuit. The vast majority of court cases are still settled without a trial. A trial is rarely necessary.

    Step 06

    Reimbursement Obligations

    If any form of health insurance paid for your medical bills, then it probably has the right to be repaid from any money you recover. For more detail on this topic, see our FAQ on subrogation. Throughout your case, we will remain in contact with these insurers. We will negotiate with them to get them to reduce or waive their claims so that you keep more of the recovered money.

    Step 07

    Disbursement

    You receive your net settlement check, free and clear of all obligations. We have resolved all of the issues related to your claim. Your case is officially closed.

    Step 08
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