Surviving sexual abuse or misconduct takes real courage, and it is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face. The choices you make afterward can shape your healing, your sense of justice, and your ability to recover the compensation you deserve. If this has happened to you in San Diego, having a compassionate and experienced sexual abuse or misconduct attorney by your side is essential.
At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we have stood beside survivors throughout San Diego County, taking on employers, schools, hospitals, and other institutions accountable. We handle every case with discretion and sensitivity, and we fight to hold the responsible parties fully accountable.
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HHJ Trial Attorneys is a nationally recognized San Diego law firm with more than 30 years of combined experience and over 1,000 five-star Google reviews. We represent survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct, securing tens of millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients, including a landmark $2 million verdict against a therapist. Recognized by Super Lawyers and featured in major media outlets, we provide compassionate, aggressive advocacy focused on your recovery and justice.
Sexual abuse and misconduct refer to a wide range of non-consensual sexual behaviors, including sexual assault, rape, workplace harassment, coercion, stalking, and unwanted sexual advances. These acts often violate personal boundaries, dignity, and an individual’s right to consent.
Sexual misconduct can also occur through digital harassment, image-based abuse, grooming, or exploitation by professionals in positions of trust. Whether involving employers, educators, healthcare providers, or others, survivors may have legal options to pursue accountability and compensation.
Sexual harassment is more common in San Diego and throughout California, with the state consistently ranking above the national average. A study by UC San Diego’s Center on Gender Equity and Health found that reported incidences of sexual harassment in California are 5 percent higher for women and 10 percent higher for men than the national average. The same research revealed that more than 86% of women and 53% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault at least once in their lifetime.
More recently, the #MeToo 2024 Survey conducted by the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University found that 88% of women in California have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault during their lifetime.
For instance, between 2021 and 2022, law enforcement agencies across San Diego County received 4,987 complaints of sexual violence. Sadly, only 7.7% of those reported cases resulted in any punishment, which tells us that thousands of survivors never see justice without the right legal support behind them.
Sexual harassment can take many forms. It can be a one-time proposition from a boss or a series of offensive remarks made consistently until it turns your office into an environment that you dread visiting every day. There are many forms, but according to the law, there are two general types of sexual harassment. Understanding how they differ is the first step in identifying when boundaries have been crossed and what your rights may be under the law.
Verbal harassment includes any unwelcome spoken conduct of a sexual nature. This covers sexual comments about your body or appearance, catcalling, intrusive questions about your personal life, and explicit jokes or innuendos, even if the person claims they were "just kidding."
Non-verbal harassment doesn't require words or physical contact to cause real harm. It includes sexual staring or leering, suggestive gestures, displaying pornographic images in shared spaces, and cyber harassment, such as sending unsolicited explicit messages, images, or so-called "cyberflashing."
Physical harassment involves any unwanted bodily contact or deliberate invasion of personal space. Groping, pinching, forced hugging or kissing, and intentionally blocking someone's path all qualify. At its most severe, physical harassment escalates to sexual assault or attempted rape, which carries serious criminal and civil consequences.
Quid pro quo means "this for that." It happens when someone in authority, a manager, supervisor, or professor, demands sexual favors in exchange for job benefits, promotions, or academic opportunities. It also includes threats: implying you'll be fired, demoted, or penalized for refusing their advances.
A hostile environment isn't a single incident, it's a pattern. Repeated sexual jokes, offensive comments, inappropriate displays, or unwelcome behavior that makes your workplace or school unbearable all qualify. Employers can also be held liable when third parties, like clients or vendors, harass their staff and management fails to act.
Most people assume that only the abuser can be taken to court after a sexual assault. It’s not always true, as the person who harmed you is not always the only one who bears responsibility. Anyone who encouraged the assault, or any institution whose negligence created the possibility for it, can also be held liable.
Some of the cases where parties who can be held liable include:
At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we represent survivors of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and institutional misconduct across San Diego and California. These cases often involve a severe breach of trust, power imbalance, and failure by individuals or institutions to protect those in their care or workplace.
In California, you generally have three years from the date of the last harassing incident to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). After receiving your right-to-sue notice from the CRD, you then have one year to file your lawsuit in court.
For federal claims under Title VII, the window is shorter, you have 300 days to file with the EEOC since California has state anti-discrimination laws in place.
There are also important exceptions worth knowing. California eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual assault lawsuits filed after January 2024. AB 2777 also created a four-year lookback window (2023–2026) for adult survivors of sexual assault that occurred on or after January 1, 2009.
You should not wait to speak with an attorney after experiencing sexual harassment, as making any delay can lead to loss of evidence, witness, whereas the court has strict deadlines.
With years of experience in dealing with 100+ sexual harassment & misconduct cases in San Diego, we have seen many instances in where client fails to make the correct decision, weakening a case and reducing the compensation a victim could have recovered. That is why the steps you take right away matter just as much as the incident itself.
California law gives sexual harassment and assault victims the right to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover:
Compensation for income lost due to missing work following the harassment or assault.
Compensation for the psychological suffering, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the misconduct.
Damages for reduced earning capacity if the harassment derailed your career or forced you out of your field.
General damages for the physical and emotional anguish you endured.
Coverage for doctor visits, hospital care, and any physical treatment directly related to the incident.
In cases where the defendant's conduct was especially egregious or malicious, California courts may award punitive damages to deter future misconduct.
Therapy, counseling, and psychiatric care you needed as a result of the harassment or trauma.
In many California harassment cases, the prevailing party can recover attorney's fees from the defendant.
Experiencing sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual misconduct can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we are committed to helping survivors pursue justice while protecting their rights. When you trust our experienced legal team with your case, we can help by:
You don’t have to face this alone. If you or someone you love has experienced sexual harassment or abuse in the workplace, a medical setting, or an educational institution, the experienced legal team at HHJ Trial Attorneys is ready to help.
We offer free, confidential case evaluations, and you pay nothing unless we win. Reach out to us today and let’s talk about your options.
Call or text us at (619) 465-8733, or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. Our San Diego office is located at 1917 India Street #200, San Diego, CA 92101.
Most Sexual abuse attorneys typically work on a contingency basis. They collect a percentage of any settlement or verdict, and only if you actually recover compensation. Initial case reviews are usually free and confidential.
It varies widely. Many civil sexual abuse cases last around 6 to 18 months, but others run for years, especially if they go to trial or involve large institutions. A typical case moves through investigation (weeks to months), then discovery and pre-trial (often six months to over a year), then resolution by settlement or trial. Cases against schools, churches, or government entities tend to take longer because of more extensive investigation, depositions, and legal defenses.
There is no specific amount you can sue for sexual assault in San Diego. You can sue for economic damages like medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
You can file a civil claim on your own, but these cases are hard to win without help. These cases involve strict deadlines, difficult evidence, and defendants who often have experienced lawyers representing them. Often those defendants are employers, hospitals, or large organizations with deep resources. A single wrong step early on can cost you the whole case, so it is important to hire a proper San Diego Sexual Abuse Attorney.
At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we handle sexual assault cases across California, and we know how to hold the right people accountable, whether that is the individual who caused the harm or the organization that allowed it to happen. We work on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis, so getting answers about your options costs you nothing.
$10 MILLION
Defense offered $350,000 before trial
$2 MILLION
Defense offered $0 before trial. Largest therapist sexual abuse jury verdict in San Diego County.
$1,000,000
$2.6 Millon
Defendants offer was $150,000 before trial. We got 17 times the offer at trial for our client.
$1,000,000
$18 Million
$2.5 Million
Located in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy neighborhood, our office at 1917 India Street #200 places HHJ Trial Attorneys in one of the city’s most dynamic and walkable districts. Just steps away from charming cafés, world-class Italian restaurants, and local boutiques, the area buzzes with both historic character and modern energy. Whether you’re grabbing an espresso at a nearby café or enjoying views of the San Diego Bay a few blocks west, this part of the city blends convenience with culture. Our building is easily accessible from the I-5 freeway and just minutes from downtown, the San Diego County Courthouse, and the Embarcadero. With its mix of professional atmosphere and neighborhood charm, our location reflects our commitment to being both approachable and accessible to our clients throughout San Diego.
From our offices across Southern California, HHJ Trial Attorneys represents clients throughout San Diego County and statewide in a wide range of personal injury cases. Whether you were injured in San Diego, Carlsbad, Escondido, Los Angeles, or Temecula, our award-winning trial lawyers provide clear communication, compassionate guidance, and results-driven representation from start to finish.
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