If you were sexually abused by James Dawson while incarcerated in an Illinois state prison, you may have grounds to pursue legal action and a financial recovery of your damages.
Dawson, a 66-year-old medical professional who was contracted by the Illinois Department of Corrections to perform sonograms on inmates, was recently arrested on multiple sex crime charges for sexually abusing at least seven victims, and authorities suspect there may be others.
Now, Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating claims from current and former inmates who were sexually abused by James Dawson while incarcerated in an Illinois state prison. If you have a potential case, we can evaluate your options for taking legal action against the Illinois Department of Corrections and other responsible entities.
Levy Konigsberg is an award-winning trial practice known nationally for litigating civil sexual abuse claims against powerful institutions, municipalities, and public and private prison systems. To request a FREE and confidential consultation, call (800) 315-3806 or contact us online.
James Dawson Arrested on Multiple Sex Crime Charges
James Dawson is a 66-year-old healthcare professional who performed sonographs on inmates at prisons throughout Illinois. Dawson did not work for the Illinois Department of Corrections directly, but was contracted by the IL DOC through Wexford Health Sources to provide sonograph services at DOC facilities statewide.
After receiving reports of suspected sexual abuse and misconduct involving Dawson, the Illinois State Police opened an investigation in July 2022 and, over the course of a year, identified at least seven separate victims who had been abused by the sonographer.
On August 1, 2023, Dawson was arrested and taken into custody on charges of custodial sexual misconduct and criminal sexual abuse. He is currently being held in the Mongomery County Jail on a Fulton County warrant and a Johnson County warrant.
Levy Konigsberg: Helping Sex Abuse Survivors Explore Their Legal Options
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in sexual abuse lawsuits that aim to hold institutions and entities liable for damages suffered by victims. This liability may arise from negligence in hiring or supervising unfit employees and contractors, failing to respond appropriately to complaints or suspected abuse, willful coverups of abuse, and other failures in protecting victims.
If you have a potential case involving abuse or sexual misconduct committed by James Dawson, our attorneys can review your situation and whether you have grounds to pursue legal action against Wexford Health Sources, where Dawson worked as a subcontractor, and/or the Illinois Department of Corrections, which contracted Dawson to perform sonograms at prisons across the state.
You may have a potential claim if:
- You were sexually abused by James Dawson in the course of his employment as a sonographer.
- The abuse occurred at any prison in Illinois.
Sexual abuse lawsuits are civil claims that are separate from any criminal proceedings against abusers. This means that you can still pursue a claim even if you were not one of the seven victims initially identified by authorities and regardless of the outcome of the current criminal case against Dawson.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
Statute of Limitations for Illinois Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
As a firm that represents survivors in sexual abuse lawsuits in Illinois and other states across the country, we encourage anyone with a potential claim to reach out to our team as soon as possible.
That’s because sexual abuse lawsuits are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims are unable to pursue legal action and are not able to recover financial compensation.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims are generally as follows:
- Claims brought by survivors who were sexually abused at adults are subject to the Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury – however, there may be exceptions.
- Claims brought by survivors of child sexual abuse (abuse that occurred when the victim was under 18 years of age) must be filed within 20 years from the date they turn 18 or 20 years from the date that they “discover” the connection between their abuse and the resulting damages, which can include depression, PTSD, intimacy issues, and other mental health issues.
Determining the statute of limitations in your case can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring it to the attention of experienced attorneys. Our team at Levy Konigsberg can evaluate the circumstances of your potential claim and discuss whether you have grounds to pursue a case.
Call For a FREE Consultation: (800) 315-3806
Levy Konigsberg is continuing to track the ongoing investigation in James Dawson and is readily available to speak with survivors searching for more information about their rights and legal options. If you have a potential case, we want to help.
Our firm represents survivors across Illinois, offers FREE and confidential consultations, and works on contingency, which means there is no up-front cost to hire our team and no fee unless we win.
To speak with an attorney, call (800) 315-3806 or contact us online.
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