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Attorneys for Survivors of Rape, Sexual Assault & Abuse

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$1.5 Billion in
Verdicts &
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4.9 rating of 147 reviews
michelle stump avatar

michelle stump

19 days ago

Working with Ed and Amber has been a true pleasure. They handled my claim efficiently and professionally, ensuring the process moved smoothly from start to finish. Their responsiveness, expertise, and effectiveness in working with the insurance carrier contributed greatly to a successful resolution. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, dedication, and guidance throughout the matter, and I am grateful for the outstanding service they provided.

Johanna Bukowski avatar

Johanna Bukowski

2 months ago

Ed and Maggie have both been a pleasure to work with! They keep you up to date on your case, clearly explain the process and next steps along the way, respond quickly to any questions and always offer different options to discuss details (email, phone, text, Zoom, etc.). What I appreciate more than anything, is their genuine compassion and concern for you as a person. They both demonstrate true empathy for what is most likely one of the most unexpected and traumatic events in a person’s life and do everything they can to ensure justice is served. I highly recommend Collins Law!

Jeff Matticks avatar

Jeff Matticks

3 months ago

I became aware of Collins Law Group after I was involved in a motorcycle, several years ago. Since that time I have reached out to Ed Manzke, at Collins Law Group, for assistance in a couple of other areas. In each instance, I have found Ed and his team to be very helpful with great communication, keeping me informed every step along the way. Everyone who I have interacted with, at Collins Law Group, demonstrated that they are interested in building relationships so that you know who you can turn to for any of your legal needs.

Ella Folson avatar

Ella Folson

3 months ago

Chris and John were attentive and thorough to my needs throughout my entire case. I appreciate the all the time and effort they took. I will be recommending their services going forward to family and friends! Thank you so much for all your help!

J. Savv avatar

J. Savv

3 months ago

Ed Manzke was very patient and kind with helping me and my sister with our mom’s case. He often took the time out his day to explain everything to ensure we understood what was going on. The law firm itself is organized making our whole process run smoothly. I appreciate Ed and his team.

Unique Morris avatar

Unique Morris

3 months ago

Ed Manzke was very informative, clear and honest when it came to my mother and father’s case. He took his time with all of my questions and concerns, making sure that no questions went unanswered and that there was no room for confusion with our case. I’m forever grateful for Ed and everyone at the law firm.

Nick Erlenbaugh avatar

Nick Erlenbaugh

3 months ago

Collins Law was recommended to me after I was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Amber Blevins was exceptional to work with. She is a total pro at what she does and made the process as easy as she could for me. Ed ensured I received the best outcome possible and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who might be shopping around for an attorney!

Dwayne Kurfirst avatar

Dwayne Kurfirst

4 months ago

I want to take a moment to recognize John at Collins Law for the incredible work he did in helping my mom secure her settlement. It wasn’t a quick or easy process—it took time, patience, and persistence—but John stayed committed every step of the way. What stood out most was his professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for getting the best possible outcome. He kept us informed, navigated the complexities with confidence, and ultimately delivered results that truly made a difference for our family. If you’re looking for someone who will put in the work, stand by you through a long process, and follow through, I highly recommend John and the team at Collins Law.

Helen Montague avatar

Helen Montague

5 months ago

We are fortunate to have had the chance to work with John Risvold as he represented my brother in his case. Professional, personable and authentic in his manner, John kept us informed throughout the long process, and was always available to respond to my many questions. Having never been involved with a law suit, I really appreciated John's patience (especially since I am 1,000 miles away) and his genuine care for my brother's well being. We are forever grateful, John. Thank you.

Matthew Malone avatar

Matthew Malone

6 months ago

I had an excellent experience being represented by Collins Law Firm. Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins were amazing to work with and truly helped me in my time of need. Both were extremely personable and knowledgeable throughout every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone’s legal needs.

Ronnie Sanchez avatar

Ronnie Sanchez

6 months ago

I had an excellent experience with The Collins Law firm. Amber was extremely helpful, kind, and friendly throughout the entire process. She took the time to explain everything clearly whenever I didn’t understand something, which meant a lot to me. I truly felt supported and informed. I will absolutely seek Collin’s help again if I ever need legal assistance in the future. Thank you again :)

Maddie Scheele avatar

Maddie Scheele

6 months ago

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins. They are truly the best of the best. The efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process of my case has been unmatched. What I really want to point out, though, is the empathy and compassion both Amber and Ed hold. That was the true difference maker. I knew they both prioritized my well-being and made that their number one priority. They represented me to their highest capabilities through every step of my case, and I cannot thank them and Collins Law Firm enough.

Leticia Pink avatar

Leticia Pink

7 months ago

Ms. Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental (radon) attorney who prioritizes her clients' health and safety in her legal practice. She maintains thorough records and offers strategic advice while working with government agencies. Ms. Galka demonstrates key values such as integrity, expertise, respect, empathy, and compassion essential for positive outcomes. Her professionalism, follow-up and communication skills are excellent. Ms. Galka's guidance extends beyond legal issues, and the Collins Law Firm advocates strongly and effectively for clients. We sincerely thank Collins Law Firm, and in particular Ms. Galka, for helping our family reach a successful outcome and for their meaningful impact on our community. I strongly recommend Ms. Galka and Collins Law Firm as an outstanding legal firm.

Megan avatar

Megan

7 months ago

I can’t say enough good things about John Risvold at The Collins Law Firm. From start to finish, John was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made me feel like my case truly mattered. His dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care made a stressful situation much easier to handle. John’s expertise and clear communication built a lot of trust, and I’m very grateful for his hard work. I would highly recommend John Risvold to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled attorney.

David Bretti avatar

David Bretti

7 months ago

(Translated by Google) They are very responsible in what they do, they were able to resolve my case quickly and efficiently, I especially recommend Mr. Chris for always being in contact and being honest throughout the process 👏🏻 (Original) Son muy responsables en lo que hacen, pudieron resolver mi caso de forma rápida y eficaz, recomendando, especialmente el Se Chris por siempre estar en contacto y ser sincero en todo el proceso 👏🏻

Jas R. avatar

Jas R.

7 months ago

Amber was very thorough, informative, and made this process very easy for me, which I greatly appreciated considering all the events that led up to this point. Justice isn’t always served, but working with Collin’s Law Firm really me feel that my injuries were tangibly worth something, and that to some degree, justice was served. Would highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking out a personal injury firm/attorney.

Amy Ressen avatar

Amy Ressen

9 months ago

I wana say a huge thank you to the Collin’s Law firm and Chris Gauthier for helping me with my Complicated case. They helped me put my life back together after a horrible incident that I didn’t think I could over come. Chris was always good about communicating and he made sure I got what I deserved! I highly recommend this law firm they were so kind and reassuring that things would work out. Thank you again for all the hard work and being there to help me through the process when I didn’t know where to turn to for help! Thanks again Chris and The Collin’s Law firm!

Lauren Dryanski avatar

Lauren Dryanski

9 months ago

I had an exceptional experience with Collins Law Firm . A special thank you to Chris, my lawyer, and Patti, the legal assistant. They helped me navigate my car accident proceedings from start to finish, and I always felt like I was in great hands. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and explained everything in a way I could understand. He always made sure I felt informed and supported, especially when it came to legal details I wouldn’t normally know. Patti was also wonderful—very helpful, communicative, and always made sure I had everything I needed throughout the process. I never once doubted this team. They made everything easy and stress-free. I would absolutely recommend Collins Law Firm to anyone in need of legal support!

Will Brooks avatar

Will Brooks

10 months ago

John brings impressive expertise and heartfelt dedication to every matter he handles. His thoughtful approach and clear communication make it easy to trust his advice, and it’s evident he is committed to fighting for what’s right with both professionalism and empathy. John’s balance of insightful expertise and warm, personal attention truly sets him apart.

Icela Hernandez avatar

Icela Hernandez

0 years ago

If ever needed. I will gladly go to the Collins law firm again. They were always quick to respond any questions. Happy to say case is closed and all went well .

Representing Sexual Assault Victims In Illinois

sexual abuse lawyers

Every 68 seconds, a person is sexually assaulted in the United States. Devastatingly, one in five women in the United States experience rape or attempted rape during their lifetime. Almost a quarter (24.8%) of men in the United States experience sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime. Experiencing sexual assault or abuse can negatively impact a survivor’s physical health, quality of life, social functioning, job/school performance, and mental health. Survivors of sexual assault and abuse often suffer physical injuries, pain, significant emotional distress and serious mental health conditions including:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Suicidal Thoughts

In one study, as many as 80% of teenage girls that had been sexually assaulted developed a mental health disorder (such as depression, anxiety or PTSD) and over half (55%) developed two or more mental health disorders.

sexual abuse attorneys

Many survivors suffer additional mental anguish, stress and trauma as a result of the way institutional authorities (such as school administrators or employers) fail to appropriately respond to their report of experiencing sexual assault, abuse or discrimination. For example, a survivor may be retraumatized if a trusted authority does not believe what the survivor told them about the sexual assault or fails to take any action to help.

The impacts of sexual assault and abuse on survivors’ mental health are frequently very serious and can last the rest of their lives. Yet, the sad reality is that these lasting impacts often go ignored and untreated. Many survivors are even told to simply “get over it” or “toughen up,” when they actually deserve healthcare treatment and support for the significant mental health symptoms they experience. For example, a survivor of sexual assault experiencing PTSD may encounter the following long-term symptoms:

  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Avoidance of people, places or activities associated with the perpetrator or reporting the sexual assault
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Inability to trust others and form normal relationships
  • Flashbacks or unwanted memories
  • Mood swings
  • Nightmares and difficulty sleeping
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Overwhelming onset of feelings of anger, fear, hopelessness, shame and humiliation

Although nothing can replace what you or your loved one lost as a result of sexual assault or abuse, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Experienced sexual assault, abuse and discrimination attorneys at Collins Law Group will fight for survivors like you or your loved one.

What Qualifies as Sexual Assault & Sexual Abuse?

Sexual assault and sexual abuse include any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the recipient. Any form of sexual assault or abuse may form the basis for a civil lawsuit, where our sexual abuse attorneys will help you. Some examples of specific types of sexual assault and abuse include:

  • Rape: penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.
  • Unwanted touching: physical contact such as kissing, groping or rubbing without the consent of the victim.
  • Intimate Partner Violence (sometimes called “Domestic Violence”): sexual, physical or psychological abuse or assault of a person by their spouse, partner or boyfriend/girlfriend.
  • Child sexual abuse: sexual activity with a child by an adult, adolescent or older child.

Sexual Assault & Abuse Cases Our Attorneys Handle

Sexual assault, abuse and discrimination attorneys at Collins Law Group handle many types of civil sexual assault and sexual abuse cases including, for example, those that occur in the following settings:

  • Schools
  • Universities & Colleges
  • Day Care Facilities
  • Religious Organizations & Churches
  • Group Homes & Behavioral Centers
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing Homes
  • Ride Share Services (Uber and Lyft)
  • Psychiatric Facilities and Rehab Centers
  • Sports, Music and Theatre: games, practices, camps, gyms and events
  • Boy Scouts

These institutions, organizations and corporations may share responsibility for sexual assault and abuse and owe the survivor financial compensation.

Differences Between Criminal and Civil Sexual Assault Cases

Many survivors of sexual assault choose to participate in both a criminal sexual assault case and a civil sexual assault case. Criminal and civil sexual assault cases have different procedures with different potential outcomes, so it is important to consult with experienced attorneys, like those as Collins Law Group, to understand your options.

The main purpose of a criminal sexual assault case is to determine whether the perpetrator is guilty of a crime. In a criminal case, the government is the party that controls the case and is focused on punishing a perpetrator that has been found guilty with jail time, fines or probation. A criminal case typically does not result in any sort of financial compensation for the survivor. Sadly, the vast majority of survivors will not see their perpetrator go to jail—on average, out of 1,000 sexual assaults, 975 perpetrators will not go to jail or prison.

Fortunately, survivors can seek a different type of justice in the form of financial compensation by pursuing a civil lawsuit. The main purpose of a civil lawsuit is to obtain financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and economic harm experienced by the survivor as a result of the sexual assault and abuse. In a civil lawsuit, the survivor is the party that controls the case.

In a civil case, in addition to holding the perpetrator civilly liable for the sexual assault, a survivor may also sue institutions and corporations (such as a school or ride share service company) for their role in failing to prevent the sexual assault or failing to adequately respond to a report of sexual assault. For example, a nursing home may share responsibility for a sexual assault by failing to perform a background check on a dangerous employee or by failing to install appropriate security measures to protect residents from unwanted guests. Another example is where a school has notice that a student has a history of sexual misconduct but does nothing to protect other innocent students from additional sexual misconduct by that student.

Additionally, the burden of proof in a civil case is much less than in a criminal case. In a criminal case, the government’s burden of proof is to show that the perpetrator is guilty of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil case, the survivor and her attorneys must only prove that it is more likely than not that the perpetrator is guilty of sexual assault.

Busting Common Myths About Sexual Assault & Abuse

Myth 1

A survivor's drinking or intoxication can be a justification for sexual assault.

Fact

Using alcohol or drugs is never an excuse for sexual assault and does not mean the survivor is at fault. When a survivor chooses to use drugs or alcohol, they are not choosing to be sexually assaulted. The blame for the sexual assault falls only on the perpetrator.

Myth 2

Sexual assault is typically perpetrated by a stranger.

Fact

Survivors of sexual violence usually know the perpetrator. Approximately 60% of rapes are committed by someone known to the survivor. Of childhood sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of children under the age of 18 knew the perpetrator. Often the perpetrator is a boyfriend, acquaintance, coach, classmate, or coworker.

Myth 3

The way an individual dresses can be a justification for sexual assault.

Fact

Clothing is never an excuse for sexual assault or an invitation for sexual activity. Wearing "provocative" clothing does not mean a survivor has consented to sexual activity. The survivor is the only one allowed to make choices for their body. The blame for the sexual assault falls only on the perpetrator.

Myth 4

To prove sexual assault, the survivor must physically fight back, try to run, or exhibit hysteria.

Fact

The way a survivor responds to the trauma of being sexually assaulted is unique to the survivor and the situation. There is no one way a survivor is supposed to act during or after an assault. While some survivors experience a "fight or flight" response, many experience "freeze or fawn" responses. A freeze response occurs when, in anticipation of severe injury or death, the survivor's body becomes immobile, rendering them unable to move, escape, or call out during the assault. A fawn response occurs when a survivor attempts to appease or please the perpetrator to avoid more severe harm and survive the attack.

Similarly, film and television often depict survivors as immediately distraught, with crying, sobbing, and anger. In reality, a survivor's mental and emotional responses vary widely. Just because a survivor is quiet or silent does not mean they are not suffering severe mental and emotional distress.

Myth 5

To prove sexual assault, the survivor must immediately report the assault to authorities.

Fact

Survivors frequently wait to report sexual assault for many reasons: fear of retaliation by the perpetrator, fear of reliving the experience by discussing it, a belief that law enforcement won't help, worry about losing a job, or trauma-related feelings of denial, embarrassment, shame, and avoidance. For these and other reasons, only about 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are ever reported to the police.

Compassionate, Confidential Representation When You are Suffering

Collins Law Group recognizes that sexual assault and abuse can be extremely difficult for survivors to discuss, and survivors have many legal options they might pursue in the aftermath of sexual assault and abuse. Our experienced, compassionate, and trauma-informed attorneys help survivors and their loved ones navigate a path forward, fight for justice and secure maximum financial compensation.

Rest assured that consultation with personal injury attorneys at Collins Law Group is completely confidential.

Moreover, you pay nothing unless you recover money, so there is nothing to lose. Call us at(630) 527-1595or fill out our contact form for your FREE CONSULTATION and let us start fighting to get you justice right away.

For help and resources:

  • RAINN: the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN operates a 24/7 confidential resource hotline for survivor’s and their loved ones. If you’d like to speak to a trained RAINN hotline support specialist, call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). For more information, visit: https://rainn.org/
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center: for more information, visit: https://www.nsvrc.org/

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Why Choose Collins Law
Environmental & Personal 
Injury Lawyers

No Fee Unless We Win

Collins Law operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and environmental cases, meaning clients only pay legal fees if we win your case.

175+ Years of Combined Experience

Our attorneys have years of experience representing clients with personal injury, environmental contamination, and business claims. Understanding the intricacies of these cases allows us to achieve better outcomes.

Proven Track Record

With a history of successful cases, Collins Law proves their ability to get results for their clients.

Flexible Consultations

Understanding the challenges clients may face following an injury, Collins Law offers flexible consultation options, including home and hospital visits. We will come to you.

Client-Centered Approach

At Collins Law, clients always come first. We prioritize individual needs and concerns, recognizing that each case is unique and deserves personalized attention.

Free Consultation - Available 24/7

Collins Law offers free consultations anytime, making legal advice accessible when it's needed.
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