Arizona · Personal injury · Trial-ready representation
Survivors of sexual abuse have civil legal options separate from the criminal process. Big Dog Law represents Arizona survivors with discretion, sensitivity, and the legal pressure to hold institutions accountable.
The civil legal system gives sexual abuse survivors a path that’s distinct from the criminal one. A criminal case can punish an offender. A civil case can hold institutions accountable, fund treatment, and give the survivor some measure of control over the process. We handle these cases with the discretion they require and the legal pressure they deserve.
What you should know
Institutional abuse
Schools, churches, youth organizations, summer camps, foster care, and group homes that knew or should have known about predatory conduct and failed to act.
Nursing home and senior care abuse
Sexual abuse of vulnerable adults by staff or other residents in long-term care facilities.
Workplace sexual abuse and assault
Cases where the employer enabled, ignored, or failed to address known risks. Separate from — but sometimes parallel to — Title VII or AZ employment claims.
Abuse by professionals
Doctors, therapists, coaches, clergy, instructors, and other authority figures who exploited a position of trust.
Childhood sexual abuse
Adult survivors of abuse that occurred in childhood, including cases where the conduct was concealed for years.
Premises and security failures
Hotels, parking structures, transit, and other settings where inadequate security enabled an assault.
Different burdens of proof
Civil cases require "preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not). Criminal cases require "beyond a reasonable doubt." Many cases that don't result in criminal conviction can still succeed civilly.
Different goals
Criminal cases punish; civil cases compensate and hold institutions accountable. They serve different purposes and a survivor can pursue both.
Different timelines and control
Criminal cases are controlled by prosecutors. Civil cases are controlled by the survivor and counsel. That control matters.
Different defendants
Civil cases reach institutions — schools, employers, religious organizations, care facilities — that criminal cases against an individual abuser may not.
Arizona does not cap personal injury damages. Recovery in a civil sexual abuse case can include both economic and non-economic damages.
Past and future therapy and medical care
Including specialized trauma-focused treatment that can extend over years.
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
When abuse and its aftermath have measurably impacted the ability to work or earn.
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
The non-economic toll — recognized as a substantial component of damages in Arizona.
Loss of enjoyment of life
The lasting impact on relationships, quality of life, and personal autonomy.
Punitive damages
Available in cases involving especially egregious conduct or institutional knowledge of known risks.
We listen first
An initial consultation is a conversation, not a deposition. We do not require survivors to "prove" anything to us before deciding to help.
We move at your pace
Some survivors are ready to file. Others want time. Both are valid, and the law allows for both within statutory limits.
We focus on institutions
When an organization knew or should have known and failed to act, that's the case that protects future survivors and produces meaningful recovery.
We handle the press
If there is media interest, we manage it on terms the survivor controls — including, if requested, anonymity.
Confidential conversation. No pressure. No fee unless we recover.
Free, confidential consultation. No fee unless we recover.
Continue reading
Free consultation
Tell us about your case. We'll review the facts and explain your options at no cost.
