Accountability is a reckoning.

Assault and battery are not only criminal offenses — they are also civil wrongs. Victims of violent or harmful conduct may have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit against the person or entity responsible, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed.

Civil assault and battery claims focus on accountability, compensation, and justice for those who were harmed. These cases allow victims to seek damages for physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost wages, and other lasting impacts.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we represent plaintiffs in Kansas City and throughout Missouri and Kansas who were assaulted or battered and are seeking justice through the civil court system. Our practice is built on litigation and real courtroom experience, because these cases demand careful preparation and the willingness to take them to trial.

What Is Assault and Battery Under Missouri Law?

In civil cases, assault and battery are related but distinct legal claims:

• Assault generally involves intentional conduct that places another person in reasonable fear or apprehension of harmful or offensive contact.

• Battery involves intentional and harmful or offensive physical contact with another person.

A civil claim may involve assault, battery, or both. Unlike criminal cases, civil lawsuits focus on compensating the victim rather than punishing the offender through incarceration.

Civil Lawsuits for Assault & Battery

Victims of assault and battery may be entitled to pursue civil claims even if:

• No criminal charges were filed

• Criminal charges were dismissed

• The accused was acquitted in criminal court

The standard of proof in civil court is different, and civil liability can exist independently of criminal outcomes.

Civil assault and battery lawsuits may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Lost wages or earning capacity

• Permanent injury or disfigurement

In appropriate cases, additional damages may also be available.

Common Contexts for Civil Assault & Battery Claims

Civil assault and battery claims can arise in many situations, including:

• Physical altercations or violent encounters

• Incidents involving intoxication or excessive force

• Workplace or employment-related assaults

• Assaults occurring on commercial or public property

• Situations involving abuse of authority or power

In some cases, claims may extend beyond the individual who committed the act to businesses, property owners, or institutions that failed to prevent foreseeable harm.

Holding Individuals and Entities Accountable

Civil assault and battery cases often involve more than a single wrongdoer. Depending on the facts, liability may extend to:

• Employers

• Property owners

• Businesses or venues

• Security providers

• Organizations that failed to take reasonable steps to protect others

Our firm evaluates each case with a litigation-first approach to determine who should be held accountable and how the case should be presented in court.

Why Trial Experience Matters in Assault & Battery Cases

Assault and battery cases are intensely fact-driven and often heavily disputed. Defendants may deny responsibility, minimize injuries, or attempt to shift blame onto the victim.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we prepare civil assault and battery cases with the expectation that they may be tried before a jury. That preparation shapes how evidence is gathered, how witnesses are evaluated, and how narratives are presented in court.

Trial experience matters when credibility, injury, and accountability are at the center of the case.

If you were assaulted or battered and are seeking accountability through a civil lawsuit, you may have legal options.

Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys represents plaintiffs across Kansas City and Missouri in civil assault and battery cases with a litigation-focused approach.