Catherine Levacy, JD, EMBA - Houston Trial Attorney

Houston Sexual Assault Civil Lawyer | Levacy Law

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Civil Legal Options

Understanding Your Options Does Not Commit You to Taking Legal Action.

Talking with a lawyer is not the same as deciding to file a lawsuit.

A civil claim is separate from any criminal process, and pursuing one is entirely your choice.

Catherine listens first, before any decisions are made about what happens next.

Ask Catherine a Question

Understanding the Difference

Is a Civil Sexual Assault Case Different From a Criminal Case?

Yes. Criminal and civil proceedings serve different purposes.

Criminal Case

A criminal case is brought by the government. Prosecutors determine whether to pursue criminal charges, and the criminal justice system determines whether the accused person should face criminal penalties.

Civil Claim

A civil claim is brought by the person seeking a legal remedy for the harm they experienced. Depending on the circumstances, a civil case may seek financial compensation and accountability from the person who committed the assault or from other parties whose actions or failures contributed to the harm.

The existence, status, or outcome of a criminal investigation can affect the circumstances surrounding a civil matter, but the two processes are not the same. If you are unsure what applies to your situation, Catherine can explain the civil legal options that may be available based on the facts.

Looking Beyond the Individual

Responsibility May Extend Beyond the Person Who Committed the Assault.

One of the important questions in a civil sexual assault case can be whether another party had a legal responsibility connected to what happened. Depending on the circumstances, potential claims may involve:

Property Owners
Apartments, hotels, bars, and businesses — including their security measures, property conditions, and any prior incidents.
Employers
An employer's actions, knowledge, supervision, hiring practices, and response.
Schools and Institutions
Schools, universities, religious or youth organizations, and health or residential facilities.
Businesses and Organizations
Depending on what was known and what action was taken in response.

Third-party liability is highly dependent on the facts. Catherine evaluates who may have had responsibility, what they knew or should have known, and whether their conduct may have contributed to the circumstances that allowed the harm to occur.

Property Owner Responsibility

When Security Failures May Have Contributed to an Assault.

Apartments, hotels, parking areas, workplaces, and venues all carry some responsibility for the safety of the people who use them.

An investigation may look at:

Prior incidents
Access control
Lighting
Locks
Surveillance
Staffing

An assault does not automatically make a property owner liable — but the facts surrounding security failures can matter.

Your Privacy Matters

You Can Ask Questions About Privacy Before You Tell Your Story.

Privacy concerns are reasonable and expected.

You can start by simply asking questions about how the process works, before sharing any details.

Catherine explains how a consultation works and how confidentiality is handled before you share anything sensitive.

Contact Catherine Confidentially

You Set the Pace

You Are More Than the Facts of a Case.

The facts matter, but the person matters too.

Catherine explains your options honestly, without pressure.

Your role is not to fit someone else's idea of what a survivor should be — you can ask questions, take your time, and choose how you want to communicate.

What to Expect

You Don't Have to Be Ready to Tell Everything.

Reaching out to Levacy Law can begin simply.

01
Choose How You Want to Contact the Firm
A confidential form, phone, or email — and tell us your preferred method of response.
02
Start With What You're Comfortable Sharing
You do not need to provide every detail in your first message. You can begin by saying that you would like to discuss a potential sexual assault civil claim.
03
Speak With Catherine
She listens, asks questions, and explains your options. You can ask about the process before discussing sensitive details.
04
Decide What You Want to Do Next
Learning about your options does not require pursuing a case.

The Legal Process

What Happens If You Decide to Explore a Civil Claim?

No two cases follow exactly the same path. Depending on the circumstances, the legal process may involve several stages.

01
Understanding What Happened
02
Identifying Potentially Responsible Parties
03
Preserving and Gathering Evidence
04
Evaluating the Legal Options
05
Litigation or Resolution
20+ years of litigation experience, including 50+ jury trials.

Civil Remedies

What Can a Civil Sexual Assault Claim Address?

A civil claim cannot undo what happened. It may, however, seek accountability and compensation.

Medical care
Mental health treatment
Lost income or earning capacity
Physical injuries
Emotional and psychological harm
Other financial and personal losses

The damages available depend on the facts and legal claims involved. Catherine can help evaluate what may apply to your particular situation.

Common Concerns

What If I Didn't Report What Happened Right Away?

There are many reasons someone might not report an assault immediately, and that delay does not mean you have no options.

Speaking with an attorney can help you understand what may still be possible.

What If the Person Who Assaulted Me Was Someone I Knew?

Civil claims are not limited to assaults by strangers. They can involve people connected through work, school, family, relationships, social settings, organizations, or housing.

Knowing the person does not mean you have no legal options.

Common Questions

Houston Sexual Assault Civil Claims FAQ

You can ask any of these questions before sharing details about what happened.

Do I have to file criminal charges to consider a civil case?

No. Criminal and civil processes are different. Catherine can evaluate your civil options regardless of whether a criminal case exists.

Can someone other than the person who committed the assault be held responsible?

Potentially. Third-party liability depends on the specific facts of the situation.

Will my information remain private?

Privacy is important, and how it's handled depends on the stage of any proceedings. You can ask about privacy before sharing details.

What if the assault happened a long time ago?

Legal deadlines apply, but don't assume you're out of time — an attorney can evaluate your specific situation.

What if I don't have evidence?

You don't need to determine that yourself. An attorney can help identify what evidence may exist.

What will I have to tell Catherine during the first conversation?

You can start with what you're comfortable sharing, and ask questions before going further.

Does contacting Levacy Law mean I have to file a lawsuit?

No. An initial conversation is simply an opportunity to ask questions.

About Catherine Levacy

Experienced in the Courtroom. Personal in Her Approach.

20+Years of experience

50+Jury trials

Catherine has worked as a prosecutor, a defense attorney, and now represents plaintiffs.

That range of experience matters when a case involves businesses, insurers, employers, or institutions.

As a boutique firm, Catherine takes a hands-on, trust-based approach with every client.

Meet Catherine Levacy

Not Ready to Contact an Attorney?

Support Does Not Have to Start With a Lawsuit.

Information, medical support, advocacy, counseling, and crisis resources are available without contacting our firm.

No consultation required
No legal decision required

View Resources for Survivors

When You're Ready

Start With a Question.

The other side may already be building its case.

You do not need to decide today whether you want to pursue a civil claim. You do not need to have all the evidence. And you do not need to tell your entire story in your first message. If you want to understand what civil legal options may be available, you can start by asking Catherine a question.

(713) 555-0100

Houston, Texas | Serving Clients Across Texas

When something has gone seriously wrong, you're trying to figure out what happened, what your rights are, and what comes next.

Meanwhile, an insurance company, corporation, property owner, employer, or other business may already be investigating the situation, evaluating its exposure, and deciding how to respond. Catherine Levacy knows that process from the inside.

For much of her career, Catherine defended insurance companies, corporations, and employers. Today, she puts that experience to work representing people who need someone in their corner. At Levacy Law, you aren't a case number in a high-volume operation.