DES MOINES, March 7, 2017/PRNewswire/—Attorney Nick Rowley of Trial Lawyers for Justice recently commented on the $127 million verdict awarded to a child who was a victim of sexual assault and her family. James Hohenshell was found guilty of lascivious acts with a child and supplying alcohol to a minor back in 2014 and sentenced to five years in prison. The 13-year-old victim and her family filed a lawsuit against Hohenshell for the pain and suffering and loss of affection caused by the sexual assault.

“James Hohenshell encountered the victim when she came to his home to attend a sleepover with friends, one of whom happened to be Hohenshell’s child,” Rowley says. “Instead of acting as a responsible adult and parent, Hohenshell supplied the children with alcohol before sexually assaulting the victim.”

“No parent ever expects their child to be sexually assaulted during an innocent sleepover with friends,” Rowley states. “What happened to this girl and her family is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

“I applaud the young lady who had the courage to file a lawsuit against her assailant to hold him responsible for the pain she and her family have suffered,” Rowley continues.

“The jury sent a strong message to the public with this verdict,” Rowley says. “And that message is if you physically or emotionally harm children in any way, you will be forced to pay in both criminal and civil court.”