If you or a loved one has experienced the trauma of sexual abuse or sexual assault, finding the right legal support is a critical step toward healing and accountability. While criminal courts focus on punishing a perpetrator, a civil lawsuit focuses entirely on the survivor—helping you recover financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost wages, and profound emotional distress.
Here at Tenina Law, we provide compassionate, authoritative, and completely confidential civil legal representation for sexual assault survivors in Sherman Oaks and throughout the San Fernando Valley. Led by Alla Tenina, our firm brings over 20 years of dedicated legal experience to sensitive and complex civil litigation. We handle every detail of your case with the utmost discretion, professionalism, and respect.
Navigating the aftermath of an assault is overwhelming, but you do not have to walk this path alone. Seeking a civil remedy allows survivors to regain a sense of control and demand accountability from those responsible.
At Tenina Law, we focus on holding all responsible parties liable under California civil law. This includes:
From our office conveniently located on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, we ensure that survivors across Los Angeles have a safe, private space to share their stories, understand their legal rights, and pursue the justice they deserve.
A civil sexual assault lawsuit is designed to ease the financial and emotional burdens carried by survivors. Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, Tenina Law will fight to recover compensation for:
A criminal case is brought by the state of California to penalize a perpetrator with jail time or probation. The victim is a witness, not a party, and has little control over the process. A civil sexual assault lawsuit is brought directly by the survivor (the plaintiff) against the perpetrator or negligent third parties. The primary goal is to secure financial compensation for the victim’s damages, and the survivor retains full control over the decisions made in the case.
Yes. Criminal cases require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is an exceptionally high legal standard. Civil lawsuits operate under a lower burden of proof called the “preponderance of the evidence” (meaning it is more likely than not that the incident occurred). You can successfully pursue and win a civil lawsuit even if criminal charges were never filed, dropped, or resulted in an acquittal.
California has some of the most supportive laws in the country for survivors. Under California law, the statute of limitations for civil actions arising from sexual assault allows adult survivors to file a claim within 10 years of the incident, or within 3 years of discovering an injury caused by the assault—whichever occurs later. For incidents occurring before these laws expanded, or involving minors, extended lookback windows and timelines may apply. It is best to consult with an attorney to review the specific timeline of your case.
Our primary office is located at 15250 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1200, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. We offer completely private, secure, and confidential environments for our initial case reviews.
Taking legal action requires immense courage. At Tenina Law, we are committed to providing a compassionate, stress-free legal process. We carefully evaluate the facts of your situation, explain your rights under California law, and build an aggressive strategy to maximize your recovery.
We offer confidential consultations and, depending on the circumstances, handle civil sexual assault matters on a contingency fee basis—meaning you owe no upfront legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Contact Tenina Law today to discuss your options in absolute confidence.