Criminal case
Brought by the state
Prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, an extremely high standard. The aim is punishment of the offender, such as incarceration or fines. The survivor is a witness, not the party in control.
Lakewood, Colorado
Lakewood Sexual Assault Civil Lawyers Who Hold Institutions Accountable
We represent survivors of sexual assault and abuse in civil claims across Jefferson County and Lakewood. A civil case is a separate path from any criminal proceeding, and you control every step. Your first conversation is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.
No fee unless we win
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(303) 209-9395
You are in control
A confidential conversation, on your terms
There is no obligation and no public record when you reach out. We listen, explain your options, and move at a pace that respects you. Nothing happens that you have not chosen.
- Protected by attorney-client privilege
- Jane Doe and John Doe filings available
- Bilingual, trauma-informed team
- Serving Lakewood and Jefferson County from Denver
5-star rated on Google
ABOTA trial advocate on the team
Confidential, trauma-informed
No fee unless we win
A civil claim lets survivors of sexual assault and abuse in Lakewood seek financial compensation and hold negligent institutions accountable, on a separate track from any criminal case.
- Colorado eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims based on sexual misconduct effective January 1, 2022. These claims may be filed at any time under C.R.S. 13-80-103.7. You can pursue a civil case whether or not criminal charges were filed, and regardless of how any criminal case ended.
- Civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal cases. The standard is preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred and caused harm. You do not need a criminal conviction to win a civil claim.
- Liability often reaches beyond the individual to the school, employer, religious organization, healthcare facility, youth program, or transportation company in Lakewood or Jefferson County whose negligence created the opportunity for harm.
CGH Injury Lawyers serves Lakewood and Jefferson County from our Denver office, handling the institutions, the investigation, and the litigation while you keep control of every decision. We file in Jefferson Combined Court when needed and work with a trauma-informed approach throughout. Your first consultation is free and protected by attorney-client privilege.
Justice beyond the criminal courts
Why a civil claim matters for Lakewood survivors
The criminal system and the civil system serve different purposes. Criminal courts focus on punishing an offender. Civil courts focus on making a survivor whole, providing the resources to recover and forcing institutions to answer for their failures.
For many survivors, the criminal process does not deliver accountability. Prosecutors may decline to file charges, deadlines may have passed, or a high burden of proof can lead to an acquittal despite compelling evidence. A civil claim offers a separate path that you, not the state, control.
- Financial recovery for real, documented harm, including therapy, medical care, and lost opportunity.
- Institutional change, because organizations that pay for their failures tighten hiring, supervision, and reporting.
- Validation, because a civil result states formally that what happened was wrong and that those responsible must answer.
Two separate tracks
Civil versus criminal cases in Lakewood: the differences that matter
These two systems run on parallel tracks with different goals, different standards of proof, and different outcomes. Understanding the difference is the starting point for understanding your options.
Civil case
Brought by the survivor
You must prove your case by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred and caused harm. The aim is financial compensation and accountability. You decide whether and how to proceed.
Because the civil standard is lower, you can win a civil case even when no criminal charges were filed in Jefferson County, when charges were dropped by the District Attorney, or when a criminal jury returned a not-guilty verdict. A civil claim is yours to pursue regardless of what a prosecutor decides.
Institutional accountability
Who can be held liable beyond the individual in a Lakewood case?
One of the most important parts of a civil case is the ability to hold institutions accountable, not just an individual. An organization that employed or supervised an abuser and failed to protect you often bears legal responsibility, and often has the resources to provide meaningful compensation.
Theory of liability
Negligent hiring
Organizations must conduct reasonable background checks before placing someone in a position of trust with vulnerable people. Hiring without checking prior complaints or history can create liability when harm follows.
Theory of liability
Negligent supervision
Even with adequate hiring, organizations must properly supervise. When administrators receive complaints about inappropriate behavior and fail to investigate or act, they share responsibility for what follows.
Theory of liability
Negligent retention
When an organization learns of misconduct or red flags but keeps a person in a position to cause harm, it becomes liable for later abuse. This is common where institutions quietly transferred a known problem rather than removing it.
Theory of liability
Vicarious liability
In certain circumstances an employer can be held responsible for the acts of an employee within the scope of employment, particularly when the employment relationship created the opportunity for abuse.
Entities in Lakewood and Jefferson County commonly held accountable
- Lakewood and Jefferson County schools, colleges, and universities
- Religious organizations and youth ministries
- Youth-serving programs, camps, and sports leagues
- Rideshare and transportation companies
- Hospitals, clinics, and psychiatric facilities
- Group homes and foster care agencies
- Assisted living and residential facilities
- Employers whose premises or supervision failed
Local Knowledge
Lakewood courts. Jefferson County trauma care. The ground we work on.
A civil sexual assault case filed in Lakewood lives in Jefferson County: the courthouse where your lawsuit may be filed, the hospital that may have treated you, and the responding law enforcement agency. Here is the ground we work on.
Courthouse
Jefferson Combined Court (1st Judicial District)
Civil cases arising in Lakewood are filed in the Jefferson Combined Court, the 1st Judicial District, located at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Jefferson County juries reflect the demographics of a large suburban county that includes Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and Golden. We handle Jefferson County District Court cases directly from our Denver office and are familiar with Jefferson County civil procedure, local rules, and the defense bar.
Trauma Care
St. Anthony Hospital, Level I Trauma Center
Lakewood's St. Anthony Hospital at 11600 W 2nd Pl is a Level I Trauma Center designated by the State of Colorado Department of Health. It is the primary trauma destination for serious injuries in the western Denver metro. Medical records from St. Anthony documenting physical injuries, psychiatric evaluations, and forensic examinations form a critical part of the medical foundation of a civil damages claim.
Law Enforcement
Lakewood Police Department
The Lakewood Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Lakewood and handles sexual assault reports within city limits. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office handles unincorporated areas of the county. Police and sheriff reports, including investigative notes and any prior-incident history involving the same individual or institution, can support a civil claim even when a criminal case does not move forward.
It is not about reliving what happened. It is about reclaiming control and forcing the institutions that failed you to answer for it.
Colorado time limits
How much time do you have to file a sexual assault civil claim in Colorado?
Colorado has significantly expanded the civil filing windows for sexual misconduct and childhood sexual abuse. Because these deadlines involve specific fact-based analysis, the safest step is a confidential review of your exact timeline before you assume a claim is too late.
What Colorado law provides
- For civil claims based on sexual misconduct, Colorado eliminated the statute of limitations effective January 1, 2022. These claims may be filed at any time (C.R.S. 13-80-103.7). That open window also covers older abuse if the old deadline had not yet expired by January 1, 2022, which requires a fact-specific analysis.
- Under C.R.S. 13-80-103.7, Colorado imposes no statute of limitations for sexual-misconduct civil claims accruing on or after January 1, 2022, or for claims that were not yet time-barred as of January 1, 2022.
- If you have thought that your claim happened too long ago, you may still have options. These laws were written precisely because survivors often need years, sometimes decades, before they are ready to come forward. We will evaluate your specific situation and tell you honestly where it stands.
Because the availability of older claims depends on a careful analysis of when the original deadline would have expired, and because the applicable law has changed in recent years, a confidential evaluation of your exact timeline is the right first step before drawing any conclusions.
Compensation
What compensation can a Lakewood civil sexual assault claim recover?
A civil claim seeks to make you whole by compensating the harm you have suffered. Colorado law recognizes several categories of damages in sexual abuse and assault cases.
Economic damages
- Therapy, psychiatric care, and medication
- Medical and hospitalization costs
- Lost wages and missed work
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Other out-of-pocket costs tied to the abuse
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for a spouse or family
In cases involving egregious conduct, such as an institutional cover-up or deliberate indifference to a known risk, Colorado courts may also award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Non-economic damages in Colorado civil cases are subject to a general cap under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5. For claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, that cap is $1.5 million. Economic damages are never capped, and damages for physical impairment or disfigurement are not capped at all under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5). We analyze each category separately so that nothing you have suffered is left out of your claim.
Your privacy and safety
How we protect your privacy in a Lakewood case
A common concern survivors share is public exposure. Colorado's legal system provides meaningful privacy protections, and your safety is central to how these cases should be handled from the first call forward.
Anonymity
Jane Doe and John Doe filings
In many cases courts allow survivors to file under a pseudonym so your real name does not appear in public court records filed with Jefferson Combined Court. This protection recognizes that forcing public identification can deter legitimate claims and cause further harm.
Protective orders
Sealed and restricted records
Courts can seal sensitive documents, limit who may attend depositions, and restrict disclosure of personal information uncovered during a case, so the process does not become another violation of your privacy.
Confidential from the start
A private first consultation
Your initial case evaluation is completely confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege. You can explore your options and decide whether to move forward with no public record and no obligation.
Trauma-informed
A pace that respects you
Our team understands that litigation can be retraumatizing if handled carelessly. We allow support persons, build in scheduling flexibility for difficult testimony, and move at a pace that respects your emotional capacity.
How it works
How we handle a civil sexual assault case in Lakewood
Every case is different, and you set the pace. These are the stages most civil claims move through, from a confidential first conversation to trial in Jefferson Combined Court when an institution refuses to be fair.
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Confidential consultation
We listen, explain your options under Colorado law, and answer your questions at no cost. What you share is protected by attorney-client privilege, and there is no obligation to proceed.
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Timeline and options review
We evaluate your exact timeline under Colorado law, including the elimination of the statute of limitations for sexual misconduct claims under C.R.S. 13-80-103.7, so you understand whether and how a claim can move forward and what it might recover.
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Investigation
Using civil discovery, we obtain records you may not have, such as Lakewood Police Department reports, complaint histories, personnel files, and institutional policies, to establish how an organization in Jefferson County failed in its duty to protect you.
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Demand and negotiation
We document the full harm and pursue resolution with the responsible parties. Most civil cases resolve before trial, often through confidential settlement that keeps your name out of public proceedings.
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Litigation and trial in Jefferson Combined Court
If an institution refuses to be fair, we are prepared to try your case in Jefferson Combined Court, the 1st Judicial District. Courts often allow protective measures for sensitive testimony, and we prepare you thoroughly so you are never in a courtroom unprotected.
There is no right timeline for being ready to come forward. Some survivors do so soon after the assault; others need years. Both paths are valid. What matters is that when you are ready, you understand your options and the protections available to you in Jefferson County.
Why CGH
Why Lakewood survivors choose CGH Injury Lawyers
Trial-ready attorneys who practice in Jefferson County courts, a trauma-informed and confidential approach, bilingual service, and no fee unless we win. We handle the institutions and the process while you maintain control of every decision.
No Filing Deadline
C.R.S. 13-80-103.7
Colorado eliminated the statute of limitations for civil sexual misconduct claims effective January 1, 2022. You are not necessarily too late.
Jefferson County Experience
We practice in Jefferson Combined Court.
Our office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver is minutes from 6th Avenue (US 6), the main corridor connecting Denver to Lakewood. We appear in Jefferson Combined Court and handle Jefferson County civil cases directly. Lakewood is served via our Denver office.
Separate Track
Criminal outcome does not control you.
A civil claim can succeed even without a criminal conviction. The civil standard of proof is lower, and you control the decision to proceed.
Anonymity Available
Jane Doe filings protect you.
Courts often permit survivors to file under a pseudonym. Your name need not appear in public court records.
Trial-Ready
8 attorneys, prepared for trial.
Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. When attorneys are genuinely ready to take a case to trial in Jefferson Combined Court, institutions respond differently to a demand.
Bilingual
Hablamos espanol.
Spanish-speaking staff and attorneys serve Lakewood's Spanish-speaking community throughout every stage of the case.
No Win, No Fee
Contingency only.
You pay nothing out of pocket for legal fees. We advance costs and collect only from a settlement or verdict.
Questions
Lakewood sexual assault civil claim: frequently asked questions
Do I need a criminal conviction to file a civil sexual assault claim in Lakewood?
No. A civil claim is independent of the criminal system. You can pursue a civil case whether or not criminal charges were filed, whether charges were dropped by the Jefferson County District Attorney, or even after a not-guilty verdict at trial. The civil standard of proof is preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred and caused harm, which is a lower bar than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard required in a criminal case.
Is it too late to file a civil sexual assault claim if my abuse happened years ago?
Not necessarily. Colorado eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims based on sexual misconduct effective January 1, 2022 (C.R.S. 13-80-103.7). These claims can be filed at any time. That open window also covers older abuse if the original deadline had not yet expired by January 1, 2022. Whether an older claim is still viable requires a fact-specific review of your timeline, which is something we evaluate at no cost in a confidential consultation.
Can I hold a Lakewood school, employer, or institution liable, not just the individual who harmed me?
Often, yes. Schools, employers, healthcare facilities, religious organizations, and transportation companies in Lakewood and Jefferson County may be held liable if they failed to provide adequate safeguards, ignored prior complaints, or otherwise created the conditions that enabled the assault. Institutional liability claims involve theories of negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and in some cases vicarious liability. Holding an institution accountable can secure meaningful compensation and force organizational change to prevent future harm.
Will my name become public if I file a civil claim in Jefferson Combined Court?
In many sexual abuse cases, courts allow survivors to file under a pseudonym such as Jane Doe or John Doe, so your real name does not appear in public court records filed at Jefferson Combined Court. Courts can also issue protective orders that seal sensitive records and limit who may attend depositions. Your first consultation with us is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege, with no public record and no obligation.
What compensation can I recover in a Lakewood civil sexual assault case?
Compensation can cover medical and therapy expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress including PTSD and depression, and in some cases punitive damages where an institution engaged in deliberate indifference or cover-up. Economic damages such as medical bills, therapy costs, and lost wages are not capped. Non-economic damages are subject to a general cap under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5, and damages for physical impairment or disfigurement are not capped at all under that statute. Each case is unique, and we evaluate both the immediate and long-term consequences of the harm you have suffered.
Where would a Lakewood sexual assault civil lawsuit be filed?
Civil cases arising in Lakewood are filed in Jefferson Combined Court, the 1st Judicial District, at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Most civil sexual assault cases resolve through confidential settlement before trial. When a case does go to litigation, Jefferson County civil procedure, local rules, and the jury pool all differ from Denver County. CGH handles Jefferson Combined Court cases directly from our Denver office.
Do I need physical evidence to pursue a civil claim in Colorado?
No. Many successful civil cases proceed without physical evidence. Your testimony is evidence. Civil discovery allows us to obtain documents and records you may not currently have, such as Lakewood Police Department or Jefferson County Sheriff reports, employment files, complaint histories, and institutional policies. Patterns of behavior, similar prior complaints against the same individual, and expert testimony about trauma responses can all support a civil case in Jefferson Combined Court.
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