Justice Realized After 20 Years
The fight for justice is often a gradual process, demanding substantial effort and patience from those seeking it. Through hard work, focus, and dedication, Associate Attorneys Katelyn Edwards and Cynthia Howell, successfully secured a $2.2 million dollar jury award for their client in a case regarding sexual assault committed by the defendant, former police officer Robert Lellock.
In 2013, Lellock was charged and convicted of sexually abusing several children at Arthur J. Rooney Middle School in Brighton Heights. Although the state served Lellock justice by imposing on him an extensive prison sentence, Katelyn’s client opportunity for personal justice was pending.
Katelyn and her client filed a civil complaint against Lellock in federal district court regarding the instances of sexual assault he committed against the plaintiff in 1998 when they were only 12 years old. Based on the evidence in the record, including the prior related criminal conviction, U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers determined that the issue of Lellock’s liability for the client’s injuries had already been established.
Thus, the only issue that the federal jury empaneled had to determine for the client’s civil claim focused on the extent of their damages. After deliberations, the federal jury returned with a $2.2 million damages award against Lellock for the sexual assault he committed against our client. The award compensates the client for their specific, economic damages and general pain and suffering. The award also factors in amounts the jury determined to be appropriate as punitive damages.
Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. Passionately Advocates for Clients
Our clients benefit from our ability to bring laser-focus to their cases, informed by the type of compassion one would expect most others to reserve for close friends and family. Katelyn and Cynthia's personalized approach to legal advocacy earns Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. a reputation for trustworthiness and reliability among our peers in the legal community. Cynthia's boundless benevolence is exemplified by the fact that she continues to volunteer with Neighborhood Legal Services and its protection from abuse (PFA) program regarding victims of domestic violence in Allegheny County.
Consult Our Determined Pittsburgh Sexual Assault Attorneys
If you or one of your loved ones have suffered shame and anguish after being subjected to sexual assault, you do not have to cope with the experience while pursuing justice all by yourself. At Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., we have over 36 years of experience litigating personal injury matters, including sexual assault and abuse cases. With a proven record of success in obtaining substantial settlements and jury awards for our clients, Pittsburgh residents have come to trust our way of tenaciously representing our clients’ interests, helping them find legal vindication for the harms they were wrongly forced to endure.
Contact Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. online or call us at (844) 383-0565 to arrange a free case evaluation today.