Orange County Jury Awards More Than $250,000 at the Conclusion of a Three Week Civil Rape Trial

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. - Sept. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Renowned Los Angeles trial attorney, David Drexler, wins $251,850 on behalf of a rape victim in Orange County, California.  The jury awarded the damages after finding the defendant, Atallah “Alibaba” Abdallah, responsible for the sexual battery on the victim on July 14, 2011.

Los Angeles, California - August 10, 2013 - After deliberating for three days, after a three-week trial, a jury awarded damages of more than $250,000 to a rape victim. The plaintiff, identified as “Jane Doe” in order to protect her privacy, was represented by preeminent Los Angeles personal injury lawyer (http://www.daviddrexlerlaw.com/) David Drexler. The jury found that Atallah “Alibaba” Abdallah, who was a business client, raped the plaintiff. (Jane Doe v. Atallah Abdallah, et al./30-2011-00513537)

The civil jury trial commenced on June 26, 2013 in Orange County Superior Court before the Honorable Judge Kirk H. Nakamura. Drexler and his legal team amassed the evidence the jury needed to hear to award compensatory damages against Abdallah, married with children, who claimed that the sex was consensual. Though the jury returned a special verdict for the plaintiff for $251,850, no punitive damages were awarded.

“It was curious that the jury found for the plaintiff but did not award punitive damages for a sexual attack on a female victim,” Drexler said. “This case underscores the importance of these civil actions to obtain just compensation for the victim, to vindicate someone who, unwillingly, becomes the object of a predator’s sexual fantasy and to ensure that justice prevails, regardless of the size of the damage award.”

According to court documents, after accompanying plaintiff to a produce market, which Abdallah claimed he was interested in purchasing, he returned to her business office, where he ambushed her and sexually assaulted her on her conference room table. Plaintiff proved that Abdallah had planned to rape her after ensuring she was alone in her office.

Defense attorney Arthur Travieso, according to court records, claimed that the sexual battery between Abdallah and the plaintiff was consensual and that the plaintiff filed the sexual battery claim to gain leverage in an existing business dispute over unpaid invoices.

“The plaintiff got her day in court, told her story and was vindicated.  It was clear to the jury who was telling the truth,” said Drexler, who specializes in workplace sexual harassment and sexual abuse (http://www.daviddrexlerlaw.com/sexual-harassment-attorney...) cases. “Vindication is what she fought for all along.  She had the courage to face her attacker and she won. The verdict, more than the money, will help her get closure and begin the healing process.”