Texas Military Sexual Assault Attorney

SEXUAL ABUSE

Our Texas military sexual assault attorneys represent victims of sexual misconduct while serving our country. Unwanted sexual activity devastates victims across every branch, as well as their families and faith in the institutions they swore to defend. The military justice system and convening authorities may pursue charges against military leaders and military service members responsible for unwanted sexual contact. However, MST survivors can also seek justice and money for support resources to help deal with being sexually assaulted and the profound impact it has on their civilian life. Our Texas military sexual trauma lawyers go beyond the chain of command that limits advocates chained by military duties and regulations.

To schedule a free and confidential consultation with a skilled Texas MST lawyer, call 713-622-7271 or use our contact form.

Texas Military Sexual Assault Lawyer Team Helping Active Duty Service Members and Veterans

Our Texas military sexual assault lawyers represent victims from all branches, including:

Texas Air Force military sexual trauma (MST) survivors:

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston
Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene
Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo
Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio
Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls
Joint Base San Antonio (Kelly Field, Lackland AFB, and Randolph AFB)

Texas Army military sexual trauma (MST) survivors:

Corpus Christi Army Depot
Camp Mabry in Austin
Camp Swift in Bastrop County
Camp Bullis, Camp Stanley, Martindale Army Airfield, and Fort Sam Houston in the San Antonio area
Camp Bowie in Brownwood
Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen
Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells (historical / reserve facility)
Red River Army Depot in the Texarkana region
Fort Bliss in the El Paso area

Texas Navy military sexual trauma (MST) survivors:

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
Naval Air Station Kingsville

Texas Coast Guard military sexual trauma (MST) survivors:

Coast Guard Air Station Houston
Coast Guard Sector Field Office Galveston
Coast Guard Station San Luis Pass
Coast Guard Station Freeport
Coast Guard Station Velasco
Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass
Coast Guard Station Saluria
Coast Guard Station Port O’Connor
Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi
Coast Guard Station Aransas
Coast Guard Station South Padre Island

Experienced Attorneys Fighting For the Civil Rights of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Survivors in Texas

Civil Court vs Military Court for Sexual Misconduct by Military Service Members

The following UCMJ articles govern those who serve:

Article 120: Rape, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Sexual Contact, Abusive Sexual Contact, and other sexual misconduct
Article 125: Sodomy
Article 134: Covers other forms of sexual misconduct (indecent acts, sexual harassment, or conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline)

Civil lawsuits operate entirely outside the military justice system. Unlike enforcement of UCMJ articles and court martials, MST survivors with the courage to come forward in civilian life generally learn that civil judges and juries function with less bias. Our Texas military sexual assault attorneys are experienced in helping with the feelings of hopelessness and unique challenges faced by those who have been sexually assaulted. Even if the accused was acquitted or never charged under UCMJ articles, MST survivors are still eligible to sue.

A Texas sexual assault attorney can help you through the process and access available benefits. Whether you’re a male or female, we understand you’ll face challenges. Our firm offers compassionate representation, leading you through the process in the most comfortable way possible.

MST-Related Disability Claims and Civil Lawsuits Against Third-Parties

MST survivors historically faced challenges suing for “incident to service” injuries under the Feres Doctrine. In recent years, the National Defense Authorization Act has allowed victims to file civil or MST-related disability claims, though they are subject to damage caps. However, victims of sexual misconduct can file lawsuits against third parties, like contractors, off-base businesses, and civilian perpetrators, with no limitations. If you’ve suffered from unwanted sexual contact, a Texas MST lawyer can help you hold the person responsible in civil court.

Title VII for Civilians in the Military Workplace

Title VII protects civilian employees and contractors from sexual contact or hostile environments caused by other civilians employed by the government. They can seek recovery for back pay, front pay, compensatory, and punitive damages. Our Texas MST attorneys can help civilian Department of Defense employees, civilian employees hired by military contractors or working alongside such personnel, and contractors working on military installations.

Evidence That Matters in Civil Court

Many MST survivors are never vindicated while they serve. The government often prevents fair prosecution under UCMJ. Even serious allegations are often dismissed before court-martials occur, leaving victims without mental health counseling or other support services.

Military leaders and peers often retaliate. Survivors are attacked while asleep, transferred involuntarily, suffer administrative actions, and suffer lasting damage to their jobs. Victims struggle to have the person actually investigated, lost evidence, and receive minimal support from JAG officers during the UCMJ process.

Survivors can pursue civil lawsuits outside the UCMJ system. These suits may target individuals directly using a lower standard of preponderance of the evidence. This increases the survivor’s ability to hold the person responsible.

You’ll need the following evidence:

Medical Records and SAFE Exams
SAPR Records and Counseling Notes
Witness Testimony if Possible: Statements from peers or medical staff
Pattern Evidence / Prior Bad Acts to Demonstrate Patterns of Behavior if Possible

Types of Military Sexual Assault or Harassment Cases Our Civil Law Firm Handles

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) from Any Branch of Service

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes Military Sexual Trauma, or MST, as any sexual assault or repeated threatening sexual harassment experienced during a person’s military service.

Under VA guidelines, MST covers a wide range of conduct: being pressured, coerced, or physically forced into unwanted sexual activity; sexual contact or advances when a person is unable to consent (for example due to intoxication or being asleep); unwanted sexual touching or grabbing (including during hazing); unwelcome sexual advances; and repeated verbal or physical sexual threats or harassment. MST can happen regardless of status or location, on or off duty, on or off base, and regardless of whether the survivor was a trainee, active, reserve, or veteran.

Both men and women can experience MST. According to VA screening data among those seeking VA services, one in three women and one in fifty men report experiencing difficulties associated with MST-related conditions.

Sexual Harassment in the Military

In recent years, many studies have shown consistent problems with sexual abuse or harassment under the Department of Defense (DOD). This helps provide information on why civil lawsuits are the only practical avenue in place for survivors to speak up.

In 2023, about 24.7% of active‑duty troops reported experiencing sexual harassment. Nearly 8% of women and about 0.7% of men reported unwanted sexual contact while on active duty in the previous year. Numerous reports show that harassment comes before rape. Those who reported sexual harassment were several times more likely to have experienced unwanted sexual contact.

There were 8,195 and 8,515 reports in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Only 1% of those were determined to be unfounded. However, despite high prevalence rates, many experts believe this is a fraction of those who were raped and forced to suffer the psychological effects in silence out of fear that reporting would ruin their professional lives and negate their prior work performance.

Research and veteran statements describe a culture where sexual misconduct, threats, jokes, demeaning comments, sexual advances, or implicit pressure are common. Those behaviors often go unchecked, especially when the alleged harasser is a senior or in a leading position.

Because unwanted sexual touching and rape happen within command structures that fail to protect survivors or even enable them, victims can’t rely on UCMJ processes. Civil claims allow survivors to step outside that system.

National Guard and Reserve Sexual Assault Cases

National Guard and Reserve staff face unique challenges pursuing sexual assault claims due to complex jurisdictional issues and varying legal protections. Rapes during weekend drills, annual training, or active duty involve different legal frameworks.

National Guard members may have claims under Texas law that active component members lack. The confusion between Texas and federal law often leaves Guard and Reserve victims without clear recourse. Our Texas military sexual trauma attorneys navigate these jurisdictional complexities, ensuring victims understand all available options regardless of component or duty status when assaulted.

Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Assault or Harassment

62% of victims reported experiencing retaliation in a range of forms, from retracting job recommendations, being denied promotions, disciplinary actions, social ostracism, attacks against the individual’s reputation, and even involuntary discharge. Under UCMJ processes, claims for retaliation proceed independently. The fact that this is common strengthens civil litigation.

In civil cases for unwanted sexual contact or rape, your Texas military sexual assault attorney can use this evidence to prove the person is guilty, especially when the person in command ignored reports or punished the survivor.

Documentation such as personnel records showing demotions or negative evaluations, statements from peers, and contemporaneous writings help build a case to address liability and deliberate indifference.

Civil Sexual Assault Claims Against Third Parties and Contractors

Civilian Employee and DOD Contractor Liability at Texas Bases

When support staff or other contractors commit abuse, MST survivors can file civil claims directly against the person and their employer. Major defense contractors like KBR, Fluor, DynCorp, and Booz Allen Hamilton have been the subject of numerous lawsuits and allegations. Claims against contractors avoid Feres Doctrine restrictions entirely, allowing full tort recovery.

Off-Base Sexual Assault Cases Against Bars, Hotels, and Private Properties

A survey found that 47% of females and 38%of males of military service members who were assaulted or raped in the past year said the most serious events occurred off-base. DoD recorded 8,195 cases in 2024. This means roughly 3,700–3,750 reports occurred off-base. This makes civil litigation crucial for MST survivors. Our Texas sexual assault lawyer team can gather and preserve available evidence and file abuse claims against the perpetrator. Our experienced attorneys lead victims through complex civil processes, enabling them to hold offenders accountable and pursue compensation even when incidents occurred off-base or weren’t officially reported. This protects them while having a profound impact on their future.

Military Sexual Trauma Disability Rating and VA Benefits: How We Help Texas MST Survivors Secure VA Disability Compensation

Proving Service Connection for MST-Related Disability Claims

The VA recognizes PTSD from Military Sexual Trauma as a service-connected disability qualifying for compensation and treatment. However, proving service connection to secure VA disability benefits or disability compensation is challenging, particularly for unreported rapes during service. To receive disability compensation, the VA requires evidence that the event occurred. This can include service records, medical records (especially those showing a new sexually transmitted disease), statements from peers, chaplain counseling records, or even circumstantial evidence like work performance declines or behavioral changes. Our Texas MST lawyers work with veteran benefits experts to compile comprehensive evidence packages supporting maximum disability ratings, understanding what VA raters find persuasive for maximum disability compensation.

Fighting For 100% VA Rating For Military Sexual Trauma

The rating system for VA disability benefits is based on how debilitating the symptoms are. For most mental conditions, like PTSD, military sexual trauma disability rating percentages are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%. This determines how much the victim receives in VA disability compensation for MST-related conditions. Ratings for VA disability benefits are based on the evidence submitted to the VA medical facility.

0% – $0/ month – Service connection recognized, minimal or no occupational/social impairment.
10% – $175/month – Persistent anxiety, mild depression, occasional nightmares, or irritability.
30% – $519/month – Depression, sleep disturbances, panic attacks, mild memory or concentration problems, reduced efficiency at work or school, occasional social withdrawal.
50% – $1,041/month – Chronic depression, severe anxiety or panic attacks, flashbacks, difficulty maintaining relationships, impaired judgment, chronic sleep disturbances, and moderate avoidance behaviors limiting daily activities.
70% – $1,664/month – Persistent suicidal ideation, inability to control emotions or impulses, severe memory or cognitive impairment, severe hallucinations and flashbacks, major difficulty maintaining jobs or personal relationships, severe avoidance behaviors.
100% – $3,621/month – Total impairment. Continuous or near-constant suicidal behavior, psychotic episodes, complete inability to maintain employment, grossly impaired thought, and extreme mood disturbance.

We help document symptom severity through detailed statements, available evidence, and vocational assessments demonstrating the need for total VA disability compensation.

Secondary MST-Related Conditions: Obtaining Free Treatment for Mental Health Conditions and Substance Abuse

MST-related conditions also cause secondary conditions. Here, MST survivors are eligible for separate disability compensation.

Depression secondary to MST-PTSD can add significant percentage points to overall MST disability ratings for VA benefits. Anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and agoraphobia commonly develop following sexual trauma.

Many MST survivors self-medicate sexual trauma with alcohol or drugs, developing substance abuse disorders. VA service providers must recognize these connections when stemming from MST. Other secondary conditions include eating disorders, sleep apnea, chronic pain syndromes, and gastrointestinal disorders linked to military sexual trauma. Comprehensive claims addressing all MST-related conditions maximize disability compensation and ensure access to necessary VA services and all available benefits.

Compensation Available in Texas Military Sexual Assault Cases

Medical Expenses and Mental Health Treatment Costs

MST survivors often require extensive medical and mental health services spanning years or decades. Disability compensation should cover immediate medical needs, like emergency treatment, rape examinations, prophylactic medications, and treatment for physical injuries. Long-term mental health counseling for PTSD, depression, and anxiety can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Specialized military sexual trauma treatments like EMDR, cognitive processing therapy, and inpatient programs add substantial costs. Medication management, psychiatric care, and substance abuse treatment further increase expenses. Civil settlements cover past and future medical bills. Our Texas MST lawyers ensure survivors receive all the necessary care they deserve without any barriers.

Lost Military Career and Future Earning Capacity

Sexual assault derails careers. Lost retirement benefits alone can exceed one million dollars for career service members forced out prematurely. MST victims lose promotions, specialty pay, education benefits, and post-service employment advantages that their experience and service should have provided. Many cannot maintain any employment due to symptoms, completely losing their earning capacity. Economic experts calculate lifetime losses considering standard pay tables, promotion timelines, retirement benefits, and civilian earning potential. These calculations often reveal seven-figure losses even for junior service members.

If your career was ruined because you were raped while serving our country, our Texas MST attorneys will fight to get you justice.

Administrative Exhaustion and Filing Deadlines

EEOC Requirements for Federal Employee Claims

Federal civilian employees and eligible service members must pursue remedies through the EEOC first. This involves contacting a counselor within 45 days and completing counseling or alternative dispute resolution. If unresolved, then formal complaints follow. This typically takes 6 months to a year before victims can issue a right-to-sue letter. However, contacting a Texas MST lawyer immediately is crucial for confidential legal assistance. You do not want to navigate your claim alone.

Texas Tort Claims Act and Government Contractor Liability

Claims against Texas state entities must follow the Texas Tort Claims Act. This includes Texas National Guard units. This means providing a written notice within 6 months and following sovereign immunity laws. Government contractors may also require federal contract dispute procedures. Determining the correct process depends on your duty status, location, and the parties responsible.

Statute of Limitations for Civil Sexual Assault Claims

Survivors of MST must navigate distinct deadlines that vary by type. For civil sexual assault claims against third parties, MST victims have 5 years. You may have longer if military sexual trauma delayed the recognition of injury.

MST victims must file Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claims within two years of the incident.

Military-specific claims, including MST-related claims for VA disability benefits or administrative claims under the NDAA, must be filed within 2 years and follow Department of Defense and VA regulations. Again, you may have longer if military sexual trauma delays your recognition.

Why Choose Our Texas Military Sexual Trauma Law Firm

Our Texas MST firm has extensive experience representing military sexual assault survivors. We understand both service culture and civil law. We hire former JAG/prosecutors, Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, and investigators who understand how the system works (or fails, in most cases). We prioritize the survivor’s well-being while aggressively seeking justice and recovery for the injustice our clients suffer.

We maintain relationships with military sexual trauma therapists, vocational experts, and economic analysts who strengthen cases. Our Texas military sexual assault attorneys regularly educate ourselves on such litigation and stay current on evolving laws.

We’ve recovered millions for sexual assault survivors through settlements and verdicts, forcing institutional changes while obtaining individual recovery for clients.

Contact a Texas Military Sexual Assault Lawyer for a Free and Confidential Consultation

If you’ve experienced military sexual assault or harassment, you deserve to be paid for your suffering, service, and losses. Please don’t let fear, shame, or confusion about your rights prevent you from seeking justice. Our consultations are completely confidential. Your Texas MST lawyer will explain all legal options, help you understand what you deserve, and handle your case on contingency. This means you don’t pay anything unless we get you the money you deserve.

Contact our Texas military sexual assault attorneys to begin reclaiming your power and pursuing the justice you deserve. Call 713-622-7271 or use our contact form.