Domestic violence victims are allowed the same rights as other crime victims. A domestic violence survivor can sue their abuser and seek justice for themselves along with compensation for their suffering. The criminal court system will help give the survivor justice by punishing the abuser under various domestic violence laws. And the civil court will allow survivors to recover compensation for their losses and suffering.
But have you ever wondered what are the areas you can legally hold your domestic violence abuser accountable for? This article answers just that. Speak to a lawyer for legal advice on your situation and how to approach your case correctly.
Things to sue your abuser for
- Medical Expenses
Physical abuse causes various injuries on an individual’s body, with some more severe than others. The cost of treating these injuries is extremely high in the US. According to statistics, only 34% of abuse victims seek medical care due to fear of their abuser’s prevention or disclosing how they received the injuries. You can recover the cost of your medical bills by suing your abuser. You will need to provide copies of your medical bills as evidence.
- Lost Wages
In the United States, about 8 million days of paid work each year have been reported to be lost because of domestic violence. Some of the following reasons are the causes of these lost wages:
- Your injuries make you unable to go to work.
- Your abuser is not allowing you to go to work.
- Your fear of your abuser coming to your workplace to cause a scene.
You can recover your lost wages by suing your abuser.
- Mental Health Counseling
More than 90% of domestic violence victims experience some form of emotional abuse at the hands of their abuser, including manipulation, gaslighting, belittling, insults, isolation, etc. Mental abuse can alter the way a person thinks and acts, and treating it requires mental health counseling. You can sue your abuser for the costs of your counseling sessions, which can include the charges for any future counseling sessions you may need.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Domestic violence survivors could have specific things that they did to enjoy in their lives. Their source of entertainment could be taken away from them by their abusers through constant physical and mental abuse. You may find it difficult to leave home because of unreasonable fears your abuser instilled in your mind, or you could no longer enjoy riding a bike due to a fractured ankle.