Guru rape lawsuits seek civil damages for alleged sexual assaults

Stories abound in the media about six civil suits alleging rape, sexual assault and economic harm filed against California-based celebrity yoga guru Bikram Choudhury by former students. The allegations describe a pattern that is common in rape and sexual assault cases: the ability of someone with power – mental, spiritual, physical or economic – over others to use that dominance and control as a means to commit such illegal and monstrous acts.

According to The New York Times, Choudhury, of Beverly Hills, has become wealthy by charging thousands of dollars to train teachers in his particular yoga technique done in heated rooms and opening branded studios around the world. Several of the allegations against him involve improprieties and assaults in teacher-training environments.

Some suits also name Choudhury’s wife and business as defendants. Choudhury himself has denied the allegations and is not charged criminally, writes The New York Times.

Criminal and civil liability are two different things. A person accused of sexual assault or other criminal behavior can be charged by a public prosecutor with a crime and, if convicted, could face prison and more. However, the victim may be able to file a private lawsuit against the perpetrator for money damages losses like medical expenses, counseling and therapy, pain and suffering, loss of wages and economic opportunity and more. The criminal and civil proceedings are filed for different purposes, have different levels of proof, different elements of behavior or intention that need to be proved, and other differences.

(An example is the famous case of O.J. Simpson who was found not guilty of murdering his wife and her friend in criminal court, but later was liable in civil court for money damages to the victims’ survivors for the deaths.)

Regardless of the status of the criminal case, anyone in California (or anywhere) who is the victim of sexual assault or rape should speak as soon as possible (so as not to miss filing deadlines) to a personal injury attorney with specific experience bringing civil lawsuits against perpetrators of sexual violence.

The lawyer can explain potential legal remedies and begin an investigation on the victim’s behalf. In addition to suing the perpetrator, other parties may be liable for their roles such as employers, property owners, security personnel and insurers.

Even if years have passed, the injured party should consult with knowledgeable legal counsel. Legal deadlines for filing lawsuits can be extended in certain extenuating circumstances.

Examples of civil claims that might be appropriate, depending on the situation, are illustrated by those brought under California statutory and common law (judge made) in one of the recent lawsuits against Choudhury in California state court. Those statutory claims are:

• Civil sexual battery
• Civil gender violence
• Sex discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Civil rights violation of the right to freedom from violence or intimidation because of gender
• Interference with the exercise of civil rights
• Unlawful business practices

and those based on common law:

• False imprisonment
• Fraud
• Intentional interference with prospective economic advantage
• Intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Negligence
• Negligent hiring and retention
• Defamation

This plaintiff also requests that the court make certain declarations about the defendant’s conduct and order that he refrain from particular behaviors in the future.

From its offices in Los Angeles, the California personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Taylor & Ring represent victims of sexual assault and rape in civil lawsuits in the LA area, in Southern California and across the state.