In a sexual abuse case, you may be eligible to recover economic damages, which include medical expenses, counseling, mental health treatment for psychological injuries, and loss of wages due to missed work. California law recognizes that sex abuse victims may also be entitled to non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. It’s usually up to the jury to determine the damages you receive. In some cases, you may be eligible for punitive damages that punish the abuser or the organization that allowed the sexual abuse to occur.