Seeking Justice for Those Abused by Massage Therapists
California Time to Sue Update:
CALIFORNIA PASSES NEW LAW EXTENDING TIME FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS TO FILE A CIVIL CASE TO 10 YEARS
New law (AB 1619) went into effect in California extending the statute of limitations for certain sexual assault cases. Under C.C.P. Section 340.16, victims of specific types of sexual assault now have up to 10 years from the assault to file a civil case.
MASSAGE THERAPY ABUSE
Throughout the U.S., women are coming forward with complaints of being sexually abused by massage therapists. According to reports, the nationwide chain of Massage Envy has received more than 180 reports of sexual assault committed by therapists. Massage Envy unfortunately is not alone – clients of other chains and massage parlors or spas have been victims of abuse as well.
Fiore Achermann is investigating claims of abuse and knows how to hold companies responsible for the assault, battery or sexual abuse of customers and clients.
HOLDING THE CORPORATION LIABLE IN MASSAGE THERAPIST SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
If a massage therapist assaults a client, the owner and manager of the facility may be held liable for civil damages. In the Massage Envy complaints, the national franchise has been named as a defendant with the individual massage therapist and the local franchise owner.
National franchises are usually careful in protecting their reputation. Franchises often require compliance with operation protocols. However, if protocols put customers in danger, the franchisor may be held liable. With Message Envy, by preventing the local franchisee from reporting allegations of sexual assault to protect the company’s reputation, the corporation is reportedly allowing perpetrators to continue assaulting clients.
FACILITIES FAIL TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT CLAIMS TO THE POLICE AND MASSAGE THERAPISTS ARE ALLOWED TO WORK AFTER REPORTS OF MISCONDUCT
Investigations show that Massage Envy did more to protect its brand than to ensure customer complaints were handled correctly. According to legal filings, the company not only allegedly brushed aside the complaints of sexual assault by its customers, the company allowed the massage therapists to continue working after complaints were made putting more clients at risk, and, in some cases, more assaults occurred.
Massage Envy reportedly instructs its franchises to conduct a fair and thorough investigation promptly when a customer alleges sexual assault, but does not require its franchisees to file police reports. The company, however, does not provide guidance or training on how to investigate matters of sexual assault and ensure its employees are equipped to handle investigations involving potential criminal acts.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED BY A MASSAGE THERAPIST?
If you have been sexually assaulted at a spa facility or massage parlor, like Massage Envy, Fiore Achermann understands that you have suffered an unimaginable physical and emotional injury. They encourage women to come forward who have been assaulted while receiving a massage. You deserve justice, and you deserve to have your story heard by a court of law.
If you are the victim of sexual assault, it is important that you contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. Your time to file a lawsuit is limited by law. Your consultation is confidential.
Victims of sexual assault may be entitled to recover compensation for economic losses and noneconomic damages including:
- Past and future medical expenses, including mental health treatment, counseling and/or medications
- Past and future loss of income, including diminished earning capacity
- Mental anguish, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and/or other emotional suffering
Jennifer Fiore, Sophia Achermann and Alexandra Hamilton understand that a monetary award will never undo the pain and suffering caused by the sexual assault. It is important to hold massage facilities like Massage Envy accountable for their negligence and wrongdoing.
