This is the next article in our series on the handling of civil sexual assault claims in Texas. Our last article discussed proving liability in a sexual abuse claim. While many cases arise as the result of an arrest, involvement by law enforcement is not necessary to bring a claim. An experienced attorney can assist you with determining whether you have a basis for moving forward with litigation. In this article, we will be discussing how damages are calculated in these types of matters. If you or a family member have been the victim of another’s acts then contact our office today to speak with a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer.
Texas victims of sexual abuse may receive compensatory as well as exemplary damages
There are two main types of damages in any civil matter. The first is known as “compensatory” damages. These are broken into multiple parts. The second is known as “exemplary damages” (often referred to as “punitive damages”). We will discuss each of these in turn.
Compensatory damages consist of compensation for economic harm and compensation for pain and suffering. The first of these components is meant to compensate a victim for the financial impact of an incident. This means that one may receive compensation for past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses (including mental health treatment), and for past and future incidental costs. The second component is to compensate victims for the physical pain endured, pain that may be endured in future medical procedures or recovery, and for mental anguish caused by the act. In situations which involve psychological trauma, such as sexual abuse or assault, it can be expected that mental anguish and pain may last for years, if not the rest of the victim’s life.
Exemplary damages are often referred to as punitive damages. While the type of damages described above are meant to compensate a victim for their losses, punitive damages are meant to “punish” a wrongdoer who has done serious harm. These types of damages are typically rare in personal injury cases as they require that a wrongdoer has engaged in reckless or intentional ways which harmed another. So, while they may be rare in most instances, such as those involving a car accident, they can more likely in a sexual abuse case as, for obvious reasons, such matters involve extreme and intentional conduct.
Consider the following example. In 2025, Noteboom – The Law Firm obtained a $124 million dollar verdict against a former pastor of a Fort Worth church. After hearing the evidence, the jury awarded $31 million for past and future pain and suffering as well as $93 million for exemplary damages. It can also be common in cases for victims to receive substantial compensation for lost wages if it is shown that they have difficulty functioning in the workplace due to trauma caused by the incident. The issue of damages will be determined by the jury and will always depend on the evidence presented.
Retain a Fort Worth sexual abuse lawyer who is experienced in taking such cases to trial
It is generally advisable to retain an attorney with substantial trial experience when bringing a claim which involves intentional acts and exemplary damages. It will be necessary to present all evidence to the jury in a way that is clear, concise, and possible to follow. Also, it will likely be necessary to present medical and psychological evidence to the jury. Having counsel with experience in such matters can be vital as the rules of evidence will be enforced by the Court. If these rules are not followed, then the jury may not be permitted to consider evidence which is vital to the case.
The Fort Worth sexual abuse lawyers of Noteboom – The Law Firm are able to take complex cases to trial. We have substantial resources at our disposal and our firm has multiple attorneys who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and we will give your matter the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone today. We look forward to being of assistance.
In addition to Texas’ greater DFW area, we also handle matters in Arlington, Austin, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Lufkin, Garland, Houston, McKinney, Richardson, San Antonio, and the rest of the state.