Are you a rape survivor seeking justice in Brooklyn?
At Bloom Fudali, we provide dedicated rape victim representation grounded in decades of plaintiff-side trial work.
If you were raped in Brooklyn, you have the right to bring a civil case against the person who attacked you, whether or not the police made an arrest. Our Brooklyn, NY rape victim lawyer can file that case, pursue compensation for the harm you have suffered, and seek accountability from any employer, landlord, or institution that failed to protect you.
Bloom Fudali has represented sexual assault survivors against celebrities, executives, and powerful institutions for more than 15 years. The first consultation is free and confidential, and you decide what happens next.
Rape Victim Lawyer Brooklyn, NY
A rape victim lawyer represents survivors in civil lawsuits for money damages against the person who committed the assault and, in some cases, against others whose negligence allowed it. The survivor brings the civil case, not the state. That means the survivor decides whether to file, whether to settle, and whether to go to trial. A civil case does not require a criminal conviction, but it does require evidence, and the available evidence affects what the case can achieve.
Brooklyn’s reported rape rate was 13.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Our Brooklyn rape victim attorneys represent survivors whose cases were never reported to police, as well as survivors whose cases moved through the criminal courts. Some clients contact us within days of an assault. Others reach out years later, after deciding they are ready.
Types of Rape Cases We Handle in Brooklyn
Most rapes are committed by someone the survivor knows, and the setting often determines who else may share responsibility. Our Brooklyn rape victim lawyers handle cases involving the following situations.
- Acquaintance rape. Many survivors were assaulted by a friend, a date, a coworker, or a former partner. We gather the messages, timelines, and witness accounts that place the assault in context.
- Drug-facilitated rape. A drink spiked with a sedative can leave a survivor with gaps in memory. Toxicology results, receipts, and security video from bars or venues often fill in what the survivor cannot recall.
- Workplace sexual assault. Rape by a supervisor, coworker, or client can support claims against both the assailant and an employer that ignored earlier warnings.
- Rape by public figures and executives. Survivors who were assaulted by a celebrity, producer, or business leader often face pressure to sign nondisclosure agreements. We have brought claims against some of the most prominent people in entertainment and business.
- Doctor sexual assault. Patients raped during examinations or while sedated can pursue the provider and the hospital or practice responsible for supervising that provider.
- Campus sexual assault. Students assaulted in dormitories or at school events may have claims against the college if it mishandled earlier reports.
- Fraternity sexual assault. Assaults at chapter houses and parties can involve the members, the chapter, and the national organization.
- Rideshare and taxi assaults. Our firm has represented passengers assaulted by rideshare drivers. These cases raise questions about driver screening and how the company responded to earlier complaints.
- Rape in hotels and apartment buildings. Broken locks, unmonitored entrances, and ignored security complaints can make a property owner partly responsible for an assault on the premises.
- Childhood rape. Adults who were raped as minors can file civil claims in New York until age 55, even if they never reported the abuse when it happened.
Why Choose Bloom Fudali as My Rape Victim Lawyer in Brooklyn, NY?
Cases Against High-Profile Defendants
Our founder, Lisa Bloom, represented model Janice Dickinson in her case against Bill Cosby, and our firm has filed lawsuits against Sean Combs and Kanye West. Lisa is a graduate of Yale Law School. Arick Fudali led the cases credited with expanding federal trafficking law to protect victims of sexual exploitation by people in power. He appears regularly on CNN and MSNOW to advocate for survivors, and he has pressed publicly for the release of the government’s files on Jeffrey Epstein.
Outcomes for Rape and Sexual Assault Survivors
Our attorneys have secured millions of dollars recovered for survivors of sexual violence. Results include:
- A settlement and two precedent-setting appellate decisions benefiting rape victims in Janice Dickinson’s case against Bill Cosby
- $9.9 million in a sexual assault case
- Successful recoveries for each of our 11 clients who survived Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse
We take rape victim cases on contingency.
What Is Important to Understand About a Rape Victim Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Rape Victim Cases
The assailant is responsible for the assault. Other parties can be liable for their own negligence. An employer may be liable for keeping a worker it knew to be dangerous, and a hotel or landlord may be liable for failing to repair security problems it knew about. A Brooklyn, NY rape victim attorney reviews each of these relationships before a case is filed, because adding a negligent party can affect both the evidence available and the compensation a survivor may recover.
- Economic damages: Therapy, medical care, relocation costs, and income lost because of the assault.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for fear, anxiety, sleep disruption, and the effect of the assault on relationships and work.
- Punitive damages: An additional award intended to punish especially malicious conduct.
- Attorney’s fees: Available in claims under the city’s gender-motivated violence law.
What Is The Rape Victim Case Timeline?
New York gives most adult rape survivors a twenty-year limit to file a civil case, and the same period applies to claims against negligent third parties. Survivors who were raped as minors may file until age 55. Other sexual offenses that fall outside those provisions, such as some forms of unwanted touching, generally carry a one-year filing period. For assaults in New York City before 2022, a 2026 city law amendment opened a limited window to sue assailants and those who enabled them.
The first stage of a case is investigation. We collect police reports, medical and forensic exam records, messages, and the names of witnesses. When the assailant has a history with other victims, we look for those accounts as well, since a pattern of conduct can strengthen the claim. If the evidence supports a claim, we prepare and file the complaint. Discovery follows, which includes written questions, document requests, and depositions of the defendant and other witnesses. The case then ends in a negotiated settlement or a verdict.
What Are Important Aspects of a Rape Victim Case?
A civil case is only one part of what survivors need after an assault. The points below address support, safety, and the decisions that affect a claim.
- The civil case and any criminal case are separate. A survivor can pursue a civil claim even if the District Attorney declines to prosecute.
- The Brooklyn Family Justice Center offers counseling, safety planning, and meetings with law enforcement without an appointment.
- New York City operates a 24-hour hotline for survivors of sexual violence.
- The women who publicly accused Bill Cosby faced years of attacks on their credibility. Survivors should speak with a lawyer before making public statements about an assault, particularly when the assailant is well known.
- Settlement agreements may include confidentiality terms. A survivor should understand those terms before agreeing to them.
What Should You Bring to Your Rape Victim Consultation?
You do not need to have reported the assault to anyone before speaking with us. If you have any of the following, they are useful.
- Messages, call logs, or social media contact with the person who assaulted you
- Hospital or forensic exam records
- Police reports or the name of the detective assigned to the case
- Names of anyone you told about the assault, and when
- Any agreement you were asked to sign after the assault
Our Brooklyn rape victim attorneys hold every consultation in confidence and charge nothing for it. We will walk through what happened at your pace.
Reach Out to Bloom Fudali to Schedule a Consultation
Contact us for a private consultation about your legal options. Our Brooklyn rape victim lawyer can explain the filing deadline that applies to your case and who may be held responsible. Bloom Fudali’s attorney fee is owed only if your case produces a recovery. We reply to every inquiry promptly.