Over the past several years, various organizations ranging from religious groups to public and private educational programs have been found civilly and, in some cases, criminally liable for failing to prevent sexual abuse from occurring in their institutions. In addition, many states—including New York—have expanded their statutes of limitations for lawsuits regarding institutional sexual abuse, allowing childhood abuse victims to take legal action against their abusers years, or even decades, after the abuse occurred.
Even with such advances, you may still encounter plenty of legal and emotional obstacles while pursuing a sexual abuse claim, which is why it can be so important to have a compassionate attorney’s support early in the legal process. Once retained, a New York institutional sexual abuse lawyer will be your steadfast ally, helping you to construct the strongest possible claim and maximize your financial recovery for the harm you experienced.
Holding an Institution Liable for a Single Person’s Actions
In both legal and practical terms, the primary person to blame for an act of sexual assault or abuse is always the person who engaged in the abusive behavior. In many situations, however, it is also possible to hold institutions such as churches, school systems, after-school programs, and even state or city government bodies liable for failing to prevent their employees or affiliates from abusing people under their care—especially young children.
In other situations, institutions may be directly liable for injuries and subsequent losses caused by sexual abuse—for example, if the institution’s leaders knew someone within their organization was using their authority to facilitate sexual abuse, but they knowingly refrained from punishing that abuser, failing to remove them from the organization or to report them to law enforcement. A New York attorney who specializes in institutional sexual abuse can help conduct comprehensive research into these cases to determine exactly how the abuse was allowed to happen and who specifically should be held accountable for it.
What Time Limits Apply to New York Sexual Abuse Claims?
A dedicated lawyer can also be vital in constructing and filing a lawsuit over institutional sexual abuse in New York within applicable filing deadlines, many of which have changed significantly for these types of cases in recent years. Just a few years ago, the New York Child Victims Act effectively abolished the statute of limitations for lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse, and the Adult Survivors Act similarly opened a one-year window for people who were sexually abused as adults to file lawsuits.
However, both these acts have since expired, and while new legislation has extended the filing time limits for institutional sexual abuse claims, those extensions may also change or expire soon, depending on when a prospective plaintiff formally starts the legal process. Therefore, anyone who wishes to explore their options for suing over sexual misconduct should avoid delays and contact legal counsel as soon as possible.
Speak With a New York Institutional Sex Abuse Attorney About Legal Options
The idea of filing suit against a single abuser can be intimidating, and taking on the entire organization that enabled the abuser can be even more frightening. However, with capable and tenacious legal representation, you should feel comforted in knowing that you have help available to ensure you can safely and effectively advocate for your rights throughout every stage of your claim.
A conversation with a New York institutional sexual abuse lawyer will give you answers to pressing questions and provide information about the options available to you. Call Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our team members.
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