Crime Victim Compensation Attorney Atlanta, GA
If you have been the victim of a crime, you can and should call a crime victim compensation attorney Atlanta, GA victims rely on from The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch Victims of crime tend to endure physical injuries, as well as emotional and mental trauma. The perpetrator of the crime may be charged and sent to jail or prison; however, this alone will not warrant compensation. To recover damages for any losses, you must file a separate claim in civil court.
If you want to make sure your perpetrator faces all consequences for their actions, call the law offices of The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch, today. We will help you to get through this time and recover the compensation you deserve.
Who Is a Victim of Crime?
A victim of crime can be anyone who was a victim of a person’s illegal actions – usually, these crimes are felonies. Anyone who suffered an injury or mental anguish should be compensated. Some victims of crimes that the law offices of The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch, has helped include:
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated robbery
- Sexual abuse or assault
- Family violence
- Manslaughter
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Aggravated assault
- Arson
- Endangerment of a child
- + More
The state has set up programs for victims of a crime. This may allow them to recover partial or full compensation for the losses incurred. Examples of these losses include:
- Medical bills
- Therapy
- Lost wages
- Funeral or burial costs
- Crime scene clean up
- Property replacement
- Home health care
- + More
Whether these programs are applicable will depend on the circumstances. An Atlanta, GA crime victim compensation attorney can help you to understand your options.
Effects on Innocent Victims
At our law firm, we support victims and understand the gravity of what has happened to you. The victims of a crime may experience various kinds of effects, whether that be physically, emotionally, and/or financially. Is it difficult to guess exactly how the victim of a crime will respond after the situation has escalated, as each person is different and processes traumatic events differently.
Where one person may have not been affected too much, for others, it may seriously impact their ability to go about daily life as normal. Those who have had traumatic events happen to them in the past may react with more suffering than those who haven’t. What a victim may experience after the fact can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Loss of earnings due to damage or theft of property
- Healing from physical injuries that happened during the crime
- Guilt at being the victim and thoughts about whether it could have been prevented (this is especially true in instances where the victim was a survivor and there were other fatalities)
- Mental anguish, including depression, new fears, anger, sleeplessness, PTSD
- Feeling anxiety and shock, a trained therapist may be needed as part of their recovery from the incident
- Withdrawing from friends, loved ones, and coworkers. Limiting one’s social life or altering lifestyle, such as not visiting places that remind them of the crime
- Taking extra preventative measures to ward against crimes in the future
At The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch, we empathize with the fact that it is also the family of the victim who suffers. As loved ones of someone who was a victim in a crime, you may not be sure what to do or how to help them overcome the incident. We know that money cannot take back the crime, however, we can pursue financial restitution as a way to achieve justice for it all.
The injuries that a victim of a crime may sustain can be both short-term and long-term. Victims may be able to cope with monetary loss by using their own resources or through support of friends and family. However, the social and mental effects can be long-lasting, even years or a lifetime. A portion of victims may have to manage newly developed mental challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and more. Intervention from a professional therapist may be needed to guide the victim through troublesome thoughts and feelings.
In some cases, medication and other treatment methods may be required, which are often not free. People may not realize just how quickly losses may accumulate, which is why we strongly encourage victims of crimes to reach out to our law firm for immediate assistance.
Victim Relocation Costs
Sometimes, a victim must be relocated for their safety. This can be very costly. If this is true, compensation for your relocation may be available. Costs of relocation may include:
- Monthly rent
- Transportation costs
- Rental car costs
- Utility fees
- Hotel fees
- Deposits
- Storage costs
Restitution
When a person has been convicted of a crime, they might be ordered to pay restitution to the victims. These payments are only available when the offender has been convicted. Restitution might cover:
- Medical care
- Lost wages
- Damaged property
- Insurance deductibles
- Replacement of seized property
- Therapy
- Prescriptions
- Travel costs
- Child care costs
- + more
Anything that state programs have covered will likely not be included in restitution compensation. Your attorney will need to review what the state programs will cover, as well as what the restitution will cover. If both options do not cover all of your losses, a separate lawsuit might be filed against the perpetrator. This can be cumbersome and challenging; however, it is another potential option to ensure you are fully compensated.
If you have been a crime victim, please call our attorneys to explore your options. We will ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Taking action is only up to you and not the state or federal prosecutor.
Questions for Crime Victims, Answered
No one expects that they will fall victim to a crime at the hands of another, which is why an attorney may be necessary. The innocent stand to significantly suffer from another’s actions and, in some cases, may be irreparable. Victimization stands to result in severe losses, physical pain, emotional pain, and more. Victims may never be the same again. The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch has worked tirelessly to help seek justice for victims and help answer the many questions you are sure to have.
What is a crime victim compensation program?
Crime victim compensation programs offer support to victims who have faced losses and expenses incurred as a result. This might include:
- Medical Expenses
- Mental Health Counseling
- Funeral Costs
- Lost Wages
- +More
Despite the benefits, it may be in a person’s best interest to first consult with a lawyer to determine whether this is the right step or if a civil claim is in your best interest. In some cases, a victim may not be eligible for a victim’s compensation fund, making a civil claim the most appropriate option.
What kind of compensation is available for crime victims?
There are a few different ways that victims may seek compensation depending upon their circumstances. The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program offers those who have been victimized a variety of options for victims whose lives have suffered losses due to a crime.
Additionally, our attorney will tell you that victims may be able to take legal action with a lawyer’s assistance to retain damages for the significant losses. However, be aware that if a victim’s compensation has already provided support, you may not be able to receive compensation for some of the expenses they have covered or may be required to pay it back.
How can I pursue compensation while there is a pending criminal case?
This can become a complicated situation, which will certainly call for the guidance of an experienced lawyer. In some cases, the defendant’s lawyer will recommend that their client refrains from answering questions to prevent them from incriminating themselves. Sometimes, it may be in a person’s best interest to wait until the criminal case has been resolved before pursuing a civil claim.
What are the differences between criminal and civil cases?
A civil case is a legal proceeding that provides compensation to those who have suffered damages at the hands of a negligent party. A criminal case is when a prosecutor or the state brings a case against the accused. These situations can result in criminal convictions that may result in jail time and various consequences. It’s also important to note that the standard of proof in each situation is different.
In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove that the accused committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. This means even the slightest question or doubt could result in a not guilty verdict. In civil cases, the standard of proof is far less and is known as the preponderance of evidence. Meaning, the plaintiff must only prove that it’s more likely than not that the defendant is liable for the damages.
Contact The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch Today
Crimes against victims are devastating, resulting in serious harm. It’s critical to consult with a lawyer who will stand by you and provide the legal support you need. We have the experience necessary to represent victims to the fullest extent. Contact our Atlanta, Georgia crime victim compensation attorney at The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch, P.C. as soon as possible to get started.
