Who Can File a Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Information About Who Is Eligible to to Make a Childhood Sexual Abuse Claim

New York’s new Child Victims Act greatly expands the rights of adult survivors of child sexual abuse. By extending the statute of limitations for both civil and criminal charges, as well as by opening a one-year “lookback window” during with any victim can file a retroactive child sexual abuse claim, the state of New York has taken an important step in making amends to survivors of child sexual abuse. Once-trusted institutions such as the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, elite boarding schools and sports teams can now be held accountable for their flagrant mishandling of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, teachers, scout leaders and others.

Persons who experienced child sexual abuse in New York are seeking clarification of the qualifications required to participate in a Child Victims Act lawsuit. Our law firm offers free, no-obligation, confidential consultations to anyone who feels they may have a claim, but we have outlined the basic qualifications in this section. In general, these are factors that are considered in each Child Victims Act sexual abuse lawsuit claim:

• Sexual Abuse: Any sexual abuse of a child, including rape, sexual assault, molestation, whether one-time or on-going child sexual abuse, falls under the Child Victims Act. If you or a loved one is a survivor of child sexual abuse in New York, you may be eligible to file a Child Victims Act lawsuit.
• Victim Age: Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a minor by an adult or any forced sexual contact experienced by a minor. If you or a loved one experienced child sexual abuse, you may be eligible to file a claim against the responsible institution.

For persons and family members of persons who meet these qualifications, it is likely you will be eligible to file a Child Victims Act lawsuit for child sexual abuse in New York. There are multiple reasons to file a claim. First, Child Victims Act lawyers believe adult survivors may be eligible for compensation for the pain and suffering associated with the incidents.

More meaningful than that to some is the opportunity to hold the responsible institution accountable, whether a religious institution or a school, that failed to prevent the harm or hold the perpetrator accountable. A long history of sweeping child sexual abuse under the rug has been revealed in the Catholic church, at elite boarding schools, within Boy Scouts of America, and in prominent athletic organizations such as the U.S. gymnastics team. Filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit allows survivors to hold these institutions accountable and serves to prevent the possibility of such cover-ups in the future.

Attorneys offering free, no obligation child sexual abuse lawsuit case review are available to speak with you and your family about your circumstances. To learn more about filing a lawsuit, please fill out the simple contact form on this page.