Sexual Abuse Attorney in Greenbelt

A Safe Place To Discuss Your Legal Options

Our firm has represented people in serious injury matters in Maryland for decades. We know that contacting a sexual abuse attorney in Greenbelt can feel intimidating, so our goal is to create a space where you can talk openly, ask questions, and make decisions at your own pace. From the first call, we focus on protecting your rights and making sure you understand each possible path before you choose how to move forward.

Pursue the full compensation you deserve for your personal injuries. Work with a compassionate sexual abuse attorney in Greenbelt. Contact Brennan McKenna & Lawlor, Chtd. to schedule a confidential consultation.

Why Survivors of Sexual Abuse Turn To Our Firm

When someone has lived through sexual abuse, choosing a lawyer is about much more than technical legal knowledge. Survivors often want an attorney who is steady, calm, and used to handling high-stakes situations, someone who will listen carefully and not treat their experience like a routine file. At our firm, we draw on many decades of work in Maryland and Washington, D.C. courts to provide that level of grounded support.

Brennan McKenna & Lawlor, Chtd. has been serving clients since 1976. Members of our team have been recognized by peers and independent organizations for many years. William Brennan is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America and was named one of Washingtonian magazine’s top 75 lawyers in Washington.

Just as important as our credentials is how we work with clients. We take time to understand your history, your safety concerns, and your goals. We review available information carefully, explain legal options in straightforward language, and discuss possible risks and benefits of each choice. Our role is to guide and advocate, not to pressure you. Throughout your case, we focus on keeping you informed and making sure that you understand and can exercise your rights.

Your Legal Options in Greenbelt After Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse cases are deeply personal, and no two situations are exactly the same. Some survivors come to us months or years after the abuse, and others reach out soon after the incident. Wherever you are in that timeline, it can help to understand that there are often two broad legal paths to consider. One involves the criminal justice system, and the other involves potential civil claims that focus on financial accountability.

Criminal cases are generally handled by the State of Maryland and prosecuted in criminal courts that have jurisdiction where the conduct occurred. Law enforcement or prosecutors decide whether to bring charges. Survivors may be asked to give statements, provide evidence, or participate as witnesses. We can discuss what that process typically involves and how your participation might affect your emotional well-being and safety, so you can make informed choices about any contact with authorities.

Civil cases are different. In a civil claim, you may seek financial compensation from the person who harmed you and, in some situations, from institutions whose actions or failures contributed to the abuse. That might include employers, schools, property owners, or other organizations that had a duty to take reasonable steps to protect you. Civil claims can address medical costs, counseling expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering caused by the abuse.

Maryland law includes time limits that can affect how long you have to bring certain claims. These rules can be complex, especially where childhood abuse or delayed discovery of harm is involved. During a consultation, we review the timing of events in your life and discuss how these laws may affect you. Our attorneys handle both criminal defense and personal injury matters, which gives us insight into how criminal proceedings and civil claims may intersect.

When you meet with us, we talk through your priorities and concerns. Some survivors want to pursue every available path. Others may prefer to focus on one aspect of the legal process or simply want to know their options without committing to any immediate action. Our role is to explain, answer questions, and help you think through what feels right for you, given your emotional state, your safety needs, and your long-term goals.

How Our Greenbelt Sexual Abuse Lawyers Help Survivors

Reaching out for legal help after sexual abuse can feel overwhelming. Many survivors are worried about reliving painful memories, being doubted, or losing control of what happens once they tell their story. Our attorneys work to create a process that is as supportive and predictable as possible while still protecting your legal interests in Greenbelt and throughout Prince George’s County.

Here are some of the ways we support survivors who choose to work with us:

• Listening to your story in a confidential setting and discussing your priorities before any decisions are made.
• Explaining possible criminal and civil paths in Maryland and how they may apply to your situation.
• Advising you on preserving information and communicating with law enforcement or institutions.
• Preparing you for court proceedings or statements and standing with you in court when required.
• Reviewing any proposed resolutions with you and discussing their potential impact before you decide.

If you decide to move forward with a case, our team gathers and reviews available information. That may include documents, communications, or other material that can help define what happened and who may be responsible. We advise you about interactions with the police, prosecutors, employers, schools, or other organizations, so you are not handling difficult conversations on your own. When court appearances or statements are involved, we prepare you in advance and explain what to expect at each stage.

We appear regularly in Maryland courts, including courts that serve residents of Prince George’s County, where many serious criminal and civil matters are heard. Our attorneys draw on decades of courtroom experience to present sensitive facts carefully and to advocate for your rights. Throughout the process, we aim to communicate clearly, return calls, and update you on developments so you are not left wondering what is happening in your case. We understand that this is not just a legal case. It is part of your life and your healing.

Contact Our Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Greenbelt—We Are Ready To Fight For You

Reaching out to a lawyer after sexual abuse can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with fear, anger, confusion, or uncertainty about whether you even want to pursue a legal case. When you contact our office, your priority is your safety, dignity, and control over the process.

Our sexual abuse lawyer in Greenbelt offers confidential consultations in a respectful, judgment-free environment. You are not required to have all the answers or to know what you want to do next. We take the time to listen, explain your legal options under Maryland law, and help you understand what pursuing a civil claim could involve.

Your safety, privacy, and healing come first. Our Greenbelt sexual abuse attorney offers confidential legal support for your injury claim. Call (240) 219-8980 or contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my story stay confidential if I call you?

Yes. When you contact us, your conversation with our attorneys is confidential. We listen to what you choose to share and explain how attorney-client privacy works. We do not notify law enforcement, employers, or anyone else without discussing it with you and obtaining your direction.

Do I have to report my abuser to the police?

No, speaking with us does not require you to report to the police. We explain what reporting typically involves and how it may affect you. Some survivors decide to report; others do not. Our role is to provide information and support whichever path you choose.

How will your attorneys support me emotionally during my case?

We are not therapists, but we understand that legal steps can be emotionally difficult. We work to prepare you for each stage, explain what to expect, and check in about your comfort level. Our communication is designed to be respectful, patient, and mindful of the trauma you have experienced.

What will happen during our first consultation?

In a first consultation, we ask some questions, listen to your concerns, and outline possible legal options. You can also ask us questions about our experience and approach. We explain what the next steps might look like, but you decide whether you want to move forward.

Can your firm handle a case involving an institution?

Yes, our attorneys have many decades of experience litigating serious matters in Maryland and Washington, D.C. courts, including claims involving organizations. We evaluate whether an institution may bear responsibility in your situation and discuss what it could mean to pursue a case against that entity.