Bozeman Sexual Assault Lawyer

Specialized Sexual Assault Attorney in Bozeman, MT

You Are Not Alone in This

You don’t know if anyone will believe you, and you are scared of what happens if people find out about what happened. Yet, you want the person who hurt you, or your child, to face real consequences. Is it too late to do anything? Should you contact a Bozeman sexual assault lawyer?

Those fears are exactly why we do this work.

Doggett Law Offices represents survivors of sexual abuse in Bozeman and across Montana. We take cases where a church, a school, or a government agency protected the person who caused harm. We know how to build a case against the person responsible and the institution that let it happen, and we do it with respect for what you have already been through.

Tell us what happened in your own words. We will listen first, and then walk you through exactly what your options are.

What We Handle

Sexual abuse cases look different depending on who caused the harm and who may have let it happen. Some involve one person. Others involve an organization that had the power to stop it and did not. Doggett Law Offices handles claims including:

• Abuse by a family member, coach, clergy member, or other individual
• Abuse covered up by a church, school, hospital, or treatment center
• Abuse by an employee of the Indian Health Service or another federal agency
• Abuse in a juvenile detention or treatment facility
• Claims filed by adult survivors, and claims filed by a parent on behalf of a child

If you are not sure whether your situation fits, tell us what happened and we will help you figure out your options. You do not need to have every detail sorted out before you reach out.

Why Now Is the Time to Contact a Bozeman Sexual Assault Lawyer

Montana law gives you a limited window to file a civil claim for sexual abuse. If you were under 18 when the abuse happened, you generally have until you turn 27, or three years after you realize the abuse caused your injuries, whichever gives you more time (Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-216). If you were 18 or older when the abuse happened, different and shorter deadlines apply. You generally have two years for claims based on assault or battery and three years for related negligence claims (Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204). If you wait too long, you can lose the right to recover anything at all, even if what happened to you is not in question.

Institutions with money and lawyers on their side often fight hard to protect their reputation. They may argue the deadline has passed, argue they never knew what was happening, or offer a quick settlement that is far less than your case is worth. Building a strong case early, with the right evidence in place, gives you the best chance of holding every responsible party accountable and recovering the compensation you need to move forward.

The Abuser May Not Be the Only One Responsible for What Happened

Sometimes the person who abused you was not acting alone. A church, school, hospital, or government program may have known about the risk and done nothing to stop it. That failure can matter just as much as the abuse itself.

Doggett Law Offices currently represents survivors of a former pastor in Lame Deer, Montana, in a case alleging that the church that employed him ignored warning signs for years. Cases like this are not filed against the abuser alone. They are filed against the institution that had the power to stop the abuse and chose not to act.

If you believe a church, school, employer, or government agency played a role in what happened to you or your child, that history matters. Institutions often carry insurance that individual abusers do not, which can mean the difference between a judgment you can never collect and compensation that helps your family heal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Assault Law

What does it cost to call Doggett Law Offices about a sexual abuse case?

We offer a free, confidential consultation to review what happened and explain your options in plain language. There is no cost to talk to us and no obligation to move forward afterward.

Should I file a civil sexual assault case if a criminal case is pending?

Yes, you may want to pursue a civil case even if a criminal case is pending. A civil case and a criminal case are separate, and one does not depend on the other. The criminal case is brought by the state and decides whether the person who hurt you is prosecuted and punished. A civil case is brought by you, and it is about recovering compensation for what you have suffered, including therapy, medical care, and lost income. You can file a civil claim whether the criminal case is pending, already resolved, or was never filed at all. Waiting on the criminal process can sometimes cost you valuable time under Montana’s filing deadlines, so it is worth talking to a lawyer now rather than waiting to see what happens in criminal court.

Do I need a lawyer to file a sexual abuse claim?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but these cases often involve powerful institutions with their own legal teams and investigators. An experienced lawyer can gather evidence, meet every deadline, and negotiate on your behalf so you do not have to face them alone.

What can I recover in a sexual abuse claim?

Depending on your case, you may be able to recover the cost of therapy and medical care, lost income, and compensation for the pain and trauma you have experienced. In cases involving intentional or reckless conduct by an institution, additional damages may also be available.

Where are civil Bozeman sexual assault cases heard?

A civil sexual abuse claim connected to Bozeman is typically filed in the Eighteenth Judicial District Court at the Gallatin County Justice Center on South 16th Avenue.

You Don’t Have to Face This Without a Bozeman Sexual Assault Lawyer

You do not have to figure this out today, and you do not have to have all the answers before you reach out. Contact Doggett Law Offices for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to what happened, answer your questions, and help you understand what options are still open to you and your family.