When you schedule a massage, you expect the massage therapist to act professionally. You assume that the business has policies in place to ensure that it hires qualified therapists, and you assume that the business provides appropriate training and holds its therapists to high standards.
Unfortunately, far too often, these expectations and assumptions are misguided.
There have been numerous reported instances of sexual assaults perpetrated by massage therapists, and several businesses—including Massage Envy—have faced lawsuits related to these allegations. If you have been sexually assaulted by a massage therapist, you are not alone, and you should discuss your legal rights with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
While sexual assault victims can sue massage therapists directly, in many cases, seeking accountability will involve filing a lawsuit against the business that employed the massage therapist at the time of the assault. Under Illinois law, businesses can be held liable for their employees’ conduct on the job, and businesses can be held liable for negligent hiring practices, negligent supervision, and other forms of direct negligence as well.
When it comes to deciding whether to sue the massage therapist or the business where you were sexually assaulted, there are a couple of key factors to consider:
So, while suing the massage therapist may certainly be an option, it may not necessarily be the best or only option under the circumstances at hand. In most cases, victims receive compensation from liable parties’ insurers, and suing the business where you were sexually assaulted could provide the best chance of recovering the financial compensation you deserve.
Ultimately, regardless of how it makes sense to proceed, there are important steps that you need to take to protect your legal rights. If you have not done so already, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:
It is important to report sexual assaults to the police in all circumstances. If you are not comfortable contacting the police yourself, our lawyers can communicate with the appropriate law enforcement authorities on your behalf.
Seeking medical attention is important as well. When seeking medical attention, you should inform your healthcare provider that you are a victim of sexual assault. This will help ensure that your healthcare provider takes the necessary steps to provide appropriate treatment and generate appropriate documentation.
If it is not already too late, you should keep your clothing from the day of the sexual assault. Your clothing could contain DNA or other evidence; and, if you still have it, our lawyers will be able to have it tested if it makes sense to do so.
While we know it can be incredibly difficult, it is important to write down as many details as possible. You should also do this as soon as possible, as your memory can fade surprisingly quickly, and the effects of trauma can compromise your ability to remember key details over time.
As a victim of sexual assault, hiring an experienced lawyer will be critical for protecting your legal rights and asserting them effectively. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to communicate with the police and your healthcare providers on your behalf, open an investigation, and provide the advice and representation you need to seek full financial compensation for the consequences of your ordeal.
If you need to know more about your legal rights after being sexually assaulted by a massage therapist in Illinois, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. We have relevant experience, and we can use our experience to take appropriate legal action on your behalf.
Contact Coplan + Crane today online or at (312) 982-0588 for a FREE case evaluation. Our Chicago sexual assault lawyers help clients across Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas.
