What Is A Victim Advocate?

Who Does A Victim Advocate Work For?

Our victim advocates are hired by our law firm and work solely for the victims we represent. Unlike our lawyers, who are committed to helping victims recover the justice and compensation they deserve, our victim advocates have a primary focus of supporting victims in ways outside of legal guidance, including mentally, emotionally, and logistically.

The benefits of having an advocate on your side only magnify the benefits of working with an experienced legal attorney. This is because they work collaboratively with your legal team to ensure you’re covered and supported on all bases.

Victim advocates help amplify your voice, work diligently to keep you informed, provide accessible communication, and understand what you or your family’s needs are from an emotional and even cultural standpoint so they can meet those needs.

How Is A Victim Advocate Different From A Court-Appointed Advocate?

Court-appointed advocates are advocates who can help you in ways beyond legal support, but unfortunately, the support you receive may be overly generalized or inadequate due to their connection to the court system.

The offender-centric nature of the criminal justice system plays a role in the support a court-appointed advocate might be able to offer as well. For example, court-appointed advocates might have a perception that’s skewed by the criminal justice system, creating a barrier that might make it harder for them to fully support victims, especially victims of crime.

There also might be conflicts of interest for the state, and because of the very nature of the criminal justice system, court-appointed advocates can often have heavy caseloads, or are volunteers, making it difficult for them to fully support victims in the way that’s needed.

Seeking the guidance of truly independent advocates, such as the Victim Advocates team at Bachus & Schanker, is the best way to get the comprehensive, wraparound support you need as you navigate your case. Independent victim advocates will prioritize you, get the chance to understand your family dynamics, and learn how to support your needs.

When Should A Victim Contact An Advocate?

Victim advocates can be involved in cases at any point from inception to the close of your case. At Bachus & Schanker, however, we make it a point to involve advocates in your case right from the beginning. Early involvement makes a critical difference because it allows you to establish a relationship with someone who fully understands your case and how it’s impacting your life.

During your initial intake with our team, you’ll be connected with the advocate who can best serve you through your specific case. The advocate will then be a part of any and all conversations related to your case. This allows them to get a holistic view of your needs so they can connect with the right legal and law enforcement officials to assist in evidence collection and overall case strengthening.

How Victim Advocates Support Civil Personal Injury Cases

Victim advocates can help strengthen civil personal injury cases in many ways. For starters, advocates work alongside your legal team and support in any way they can, like helping collect critical evidence to strengthen your claims and coordinating communication between parties.

As they get to know you and understand how your life has been impacted, they’ll also support you in documenting damages and the long-term impact you may be suffering because of your injury.

It’s this advocacy insight that can help amplify your voice as you navigate the legal process. Below are just some of the ways you’ll be supported in specific personal injury cases.

Victim Advocacy In Catastrophic Injury Cases

Catastrophic injury victims face unimaginable trauma and heartache. Our victim advocates provide wraparound support, including helping you rebuild your life, whether it be through life coaching, job placement resources, resume building, working with landlords, assisting you with ADA-compliant modifications to your home, connecting you to short and long-term disability assistance, or helping calculate catastrophic injury damages.

By helping take charge of these secondary stressors, catastrophic injury victims can focus on their families and healing.

Victim Advocacy In Wrongful Death Cases

In wrongful death cases, victim advocates play a critical role in helping you grieve the loss of a loved one. They’ll support you with funeral and burial needs, estate and probate coordination, help you navigate life insurance assistance, and collect, organize, and/or corroborate critical evidence in your case. They’ll also honor your loved one in the way you or your family envisions and help with other logistical burdens that can be an added stressor to the grief victims are experiencing.

Victim Advocacy In Sexual Assault Cases

Sexual assault cases are especially delicate and sensitive, and the right advocate can make a world of difference throughout your recovery journey. In addition to supporting you legally, victim advocates help support you mentally and emotionally. They’ll be by your side, helping you navigate parole board hearings or write victim impact statements. More importantly, they understand the importance of confidentiality and will protect your privacy and autonomy throughout the litigation process.

Cultural Competency And Trauma-Informed Care

An often-overlooked element of the legal process is cultural competency and providing trauma-informed care. That’s where our victim advocates are highly experienced professionals. They’ll take the time to understand your family dynamics, what cultural and religious considerations matter to you, and how to best serve you and your family throughout your case.

Our advocates avoid assumptions and meet clients where they’re at for the wraparound and holistic support they need.

24/7 Availability And Rapid Response

Our victim advocates stand out because they recognize that trauma does not operate on business hours. With 24/7 availability and rapid response, our advocates are there when you need them, no matter the time of day. It’s this responsiveness and reliability that allows victims to find a pocket of peace and comfort they can trust.

The Victim Advocate Team At Bachus & Schanker

At Bachus & Schanker, our advocates are dedicated to supporting all victims, especially the ones who’ve endured traumatic and unimaginable loss. The level of victim advocacy our firm supports you with is seldom found in most civil law firms, and it’s our dedication that has allowed us to stand out among the law firms that do provide advocate support.

Grounded in the philosophy of providing families with what they need so families can breathe, our advocates understand the importance of meeting clients where they’re at. It’s part of the reason why our Victim Advocates team is diverse, with various trauma-informed specializations they bring to the table.

To learn more about our advocates or to schedule your free case evaluation, contact us today. Our victim advocates are ready and waiting to serve you in the way you need.

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