It may come as a surprise to learn that you have the right to seek compensation from your abuser and anyone who may be responsible for the sexual abuse you endured. Filing a civil lawsuit is a great way to obtain compensation for your financial, physical, and emotional losses. But more than that, it is an opportunity for you to take back control of your life. You may feel empowered when holding your abuser accountable for their abuse to the fullest extent of the law. It is important to keep in mind that civil lawsuits are much different from criminal lawsuits. You will work closely with your Kentucky sexual abuse lawyer at Wilt & Associates to pursue the civil claim seeking restitution for your suffering. In a criminal case, the state’s prosecuting attorney must file criminal charges, which would then likely seek criminal penalties such as jail or prison time, fines, registration as a sex offender, and other consequences. Pursuing a civil case against your abuser and those responsible for the abuse you endured is far different than bringing criminal charges against them. First, if criminal charges are filed, the prosecuting attorney will do so. In a civil claim, though, you and your attorney file the claim. Criminal charges rely on jail or prison time, fines, or other criminal penalties; civil lawsuit seeks compensation for the various ways your life has been impacted by the abuse. Finally, the burden of proof in criminal court is much different than civil court. In criminal court, the prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil court, your Kentucky personal injury attorney will need only prove liability based on a preponderance of the evidence.