Boynton Beach Sexual Assault Lawyer
Sexual assault cases are among the most difficult legal matters a person can face, and what happens in the weeks immediately following an attack often shapes everything that comes after. Victims in Boynton Beach and across Palm Beach County deserve more than a lawyer who files paperwork and waits for an insurance check. They deserve someone who treats their case with the seriousness it demands and who is genuinely willing to go the distance for them. A Boynton Beach sexual assault lawyer at Steinberg Law, P.A. brings exactly that commitment to every civil case we handle.
Florida law gives sexual assault survivors the right to pursue civil claims against perpetrators and, critically, against the institutions and property owners whose negligence allowed an assault to occur. That second category, often called a negligent security or premises liability claim, can be where some of the most significant compensation is recovered. Hotels, apartment complexes, parking garages, medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, and nightclubs all have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for the people on their property. When they fail that duty and someone is harmed, they can be held accountable in civil court.
Steinberg Law, P.A. represents survivors of sexual violence who are ready to pursue civil justice. Our focus is on holding every responsible party accountable, not just the individual who committed the assault, but the businesses, facilities, and organizations whose failures created the conditions for it to happen.
What Civil Sexual Assault Claims Actually Cover in Florida
- Negligent Security Claims: When a property owner in Boynton Beach fails to provide adequate lighting, functioning locks, security personnel, or surveillance in areas known to pose safety risks, and an assault occurs as a result, that owner may be civilly liable for the harm caused.
- Institutional Liability: Schools, healthcare facilities, and residential treatment centers can face civil liability when their employees, staff members, or contractors commit sexual assault against patients, students, or residents in their care.
- Hotel and Hospitality Liability: Boynton Beach and the broader Palm Beach County area draw significant tourism and hospitality traffic. Hotels that fail to properly screen employees, secure common areas, or respond to reported threats may bear civil responsibility for guest assaults.
- Employer and Staffing Liability: Employers who knew or should have known about an employee’s history of predatory behavior, yet failed to act, can face civil claims if that employee later commits assault. This includes cases where background checks were never conducted or red flags were ignored.
- Recovery and Treatment Center Liability: Residential substance abuse and mental health recovery centers hold uniquely vulnerable populations. Assaults committed by staff or even other residents, when facility failures contributed to the environment that allowed them, can support civil litigation.
- Third-Party Assault in Shared Housing: Apartment complexes, condominiums, and managed housing communities throughout Boynton Beach owe tenants a duty to maintain secure access points and respond to known safety concerns. Failure to address broken gates, inadequate lighting, or prior incidents on the property can become central evidence in a civil case.
- Direct Claims Against the Perpetrator: A civil claim can also be brought directly against the person who committed the assault, separate from and independent of any criminal prosecution. Civil cases use a different and lower standard of proof, meaning a civil case can succeed even if a criminal case does not result in a conviction.
Why Brett Steinberg’s Background Matters for These Cases
Civil sexual assault litigation is not like a standard car accident case. It requires an attorney who can handle complex institutional defendants, evaluate security failures, understand expert testimony on trauma and psychological harm, and, if necessary, present a case to a jury without flinching. Brett Steinberg has that background and a track record that demonstrates it.
Brett founded Steinberg Law, P.A. with one principle at its core: injured people deserve a lawyer who knows their name and will walk into a courtroom when that is what it takes. His career reflects that. Before opening his own firm, Brett worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County, where he tried more than 25 cases to verdict and developed the courtroom instincts that most civil attorneys never acquire. He graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, and during his public defender years, he successfully argued a motion to suppress evidence that was ultimately upheld by the United States Supreme Court. That foundation in trial work matters enormously in sexual assault civil litigation, where cases frequently involve reluctant defendants, aggressive insurance defense teams, and depositions designed to rattle survivors.
In a case that demonstrates exactly what this firm does differently, Brett took a civil sexual assault case to trial against a recovery center after the defense offered just $20,000 to settle. He rejected that offer, prepared the case for trial, and the jury returned a verdict of $2,600,000. That result did not happen because the defense was weak. It happened because Brett was prepared to go the distance when the settlement offer was insulting. Since founding the firm, he has recovered over $25 million in verdicts and settlements for clients across South Florida. He holds a 10.0 Superb rating on AVVO, a 10.0 rating on Justia, is rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer every year since 2015.
Every case at this firm is handled on a contingency fee basis. Survivors pay nothing unless Steinberg Law recovers compensation for them. There are no upfront costs and no hourly bills.
What to Do After a Sexual Assault in Boynton Beach
The decisions made in the days and weeks following a sexual assault have real consequences for a civil claim. Preserving evidence, establishing a medical record, and connecting with an attorney early all matter. Here is what that looks like in practical terms.
Seek medical attention first. Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach and other Palm Beach County facilities have resources for assault survivors. A forensic medical examination documents injuries and collects biological evidence that is critical in both criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Even if a survivor is uncertain about pursuing legal action, getting examined and treated preserves the option. Delaying medical care does not help a civil case and may create gaps that defense attorneys will exploit later.
Report the assault to law enforcement. In Boynton Beach, that means contacting the Boynton Beach Police Department. If the assault occurred in an unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office handles jurisdiction. A police report creates an official record. Even if the criminal case does not move forward, that report is evidence in a civil action. Survivors who are uncomfortable with police contact should know that victim advocates are available and that reporting does not obligate a particular outcome.
Document everything you can. Photographs of the location, screenshots of any electronic communications with the perpetrator, a written account of what happened written down as soon as possible while memory is fresh, any surveillance footage you know about from the location, and names of any witnesses are all pieces of evidence that will matter in a civil case. Contact the property owner or management directly only through an attorney; anything you say to them or their insurer can and will be used to minimize your claim.
Florida’s statute of limitations for civil sexual assault claims has specific timeframes that vary depending on when and how the assault occurred, the age of the victim at the time, and who the defendants are. Institutional defendants sometimes involve additional notice requirements. Consulting with a Boynton Beach sexual assault attorney as soon as possible protects your options. Waiting erodes evidence, strains witness memory, and in some cases can eliminate claims entirely.
Civil cases in Palm Beach County are filed in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court, located in West Palm Beach. Depending on the specific defendants and circumstances, federal court may also be an option. An attorney familiar with Palm Beach County litigation practices will help determine the right venue and approach from the beginning.
Questions About Civil Sexual Assault Cases in Boynton Beach
What is the difference between a criminal sexual assault case and a civil one?
A criminal case is prosecuted by the state through the State Attorney’s Office. The goal is punishment, and the standard of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” A civil case is brought by the survivor and seeks financial compensation. The standard of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” which means it is more likely than not that the defendant is liable. Civil and criminal cases can proceed simultaneously, and a civil case can succeed even if a criminal case results in a not-guilty verdict or is never charged at all.
Can I sue a property owner even if I don’t know who attacked me?
Yes. If the identity of the attacker is unknown, a civil claim can still proceed against the property owner or institution whose negligence created the unsafe conditions that allowed the assault to occur. These negligent security claims do not require identifying the perpetrator; they require showing that the property owner failed to provide reasonable security measures and that failure contributed to the assault.
What damages can a sexual assault survivor recover in Florida?
Survivors can pursue compensation for medical and psychological treatment expenses, both past and ongoing. They can also seek damages for lost wages if the assault affected their ability to work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in some cases punitive damages designed to punish defendants whose conduct was especially egregious. The full scope of damages depends heavily on the specific circumstances of the case.
Does it matter if no criminal charges were filed?
No. The decision to file criminal charges belongs to the State Attorney’s Office, not the survivor. A civil lawsuit is entirely separate. Survivors can pursue civil claims regardless of whether the perpetrator was arrested, charged, or convicted. The absence of a criminal conviction does not prevent a civil case from succeeding.
How long does a civil sexual assault case take in Palm Beach County?
Timelines vary significantly depending on the number of defendants, the complexity of the liability questions, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases involving institutional defendants and multiple parties tend to take longer because discovery is more extensive. Simple cases against individual defendants may resolve faster. An honest assessment of the timeline specific to your situation is something an attorney can provide after reviewing the facts.
What if the assault happened at a business I was visiting as a customer?
Businesses in Florida owe customers a duty of reasonable care, which includes taking appropriate measures to prevent foreseeable harm. If a business had prior knowledge of criminal activity on its premises, employed the perpetrator without proper screening, or failed to maintain adequate security, it may be liable. This applies to restaurants, gyms, retail stores, and any other commercial establishment in Boynton Beach or the surrounding area.
Can a civil claim be brought against a school or daycare in Florida?
Yes. Educational institutions and childcare providers have heightened duties of care because of the vulnerability of the people they serve. If staff members committed assault, if the institution failed to conduct background checks, or if administrators knew about prior incidents and did nothing, these facts can support a civil claim. Claims involving government entities like public schools may involve additional procedural steps, including notice requirements, that make early legal consultation especially important.
Will pursuing a civil case require the survivor to testify publicly?
Not necessarily. Many civil sexual assault cases resolve through settlement without ever going to trial. If a case does proceed to trial, survivors may be required to testify, but their attorney works closely with them to prepare for that process and can advocate for protective measures in certain circumstances. The decision about whether to settle or proceed to trial is always made collaboratively between the attorney and the client.
What if the assault happened years ago?
Florida law includes specific provisions affecting how statutes of limitations apply in sexual assault cases, particularly those involving childhood abuse. Some situations permit claims to be brought well beyond the standard timeframe. Whether an older claim is still actionable depends on specific facts that an attorney needs to evaluate. Do not assume that time has run out without speaking with a Boynton Beach sexual assault attorney directly.
Can a survivor pursue a civil claim even if they accepted a settlement from an insurer years ago?
It depends on the language of the release signed at the time of settlement. Releases can be narrowly or broadly written, and in some circumstances, claims against additional defendants not included in the original settlement may still be available. If there is any question about what was released and what was preserved, an attorney can review the prior settlement documents and advise accordingly.
Serving Sexual Assault Survivors Across Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County
Steinberg Law, P.A. represents survivors throughout Boynton Beach and across the broader South Florida region. Within Boynton Beach itself, we work with clients from the Golf Road corridor and the areas around Congress Avenue north through Quantum Lakes and the Knuth Road neighborhoods. We serve residents of the Historic Boynton Beach Blvd district, the Village of Golf, and the communities along Federal Highway and U.S. 1 from downtown Boynton south toward the county line. Our representation extends into neighboring Delray Beach, Lake Worth Beach, and Lantana, as well as Greenacres, Lake Clarke Shores, and West Palm Beach. We also handle cases for survivors in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and throughout northern Broward County. For clients further into the county, we serve those in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, and the Loxahatchee Groves area. Through our Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens offices, Steinberg Law reaches clients across all of Palm Beach County and throughout the state of Florida.
Contact a Boynton Beach Sexual Assault Attorney at Steinberg Law, P.A.
There is no cost to speak with a Boynton Beach sexual assault attorney at this firm. The initial consultation is one hour, it is completely free, and it comes with no obligation to retain us. Brett Steinberg will listen to what happened, give you an honest assessment of your civil options, and tell you what he believes the case is worth. You will not be handed off to a paralegal or left without answers.
Steinberg Law, P.A. handles all sexual assault civil cases on a contingency fee basis. Survivors never pay a fee unless and until compensation is recovered. Call today to schedule your free consultation and speak directly with a Boynton Beach sexual assault attorney who is ready to take your case seriously from the first conversation.
