The incidence of childhood sexual abuse is much higher than most people believe. Children from challenging family situations may be at higher risk, but a predatory adult can exploit any child. Of course, people who have reached adulthood can also be victimized sexually.
The Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyers at Phillips Law Group represent survivors in civil court actions against individual abusers and institutions. If you are ready to seek financial compensation for the abuse you experienced, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options.
In recent years, it has become clear that institutions designed to nourish, enrich, and protect children often did the opposite. There have been thousands of allegations of sexual abuse in churches, scouting groups, schools, and organizations for troubled children.
These allegations have damaged the reputation of many Pennsylvania institutions. For example, the Catholic Church has settled numerous cases of alleged sexual abuse by priests, and new claims continue to be filed. Additionally, former residents of youth development and detention facilities have alleged that systemic abuse in those institutions was ongoing for decades. Almost 2,000 sexual abuse claims have been filed against Boy Scouts of America councils in the state.
Furthermore, many other public and private schools and projects employed teachers, coaches, and others who sexually abused students, including the Penn State football program. When the abuser was employed by or affiliated with a Pennsylvania organization, a sexual abuse survivor can work with an attorney from Phillips Law Group to hold the institution accountable.
Not all sexual abuse occurs in institutions. Children can experience sexual misconduct perpetrated by family friends, babysitters, neighbors, or relatives. A random stranger or an acquaintance can assault an adult.
A survivor has the right to lodge a civil claim for sexual abuse even when they did not initially report it to the police. A criminal conviction is not necessary for an individual abuser to be civilly liable. In a civil court, the survivor must prove that it is more likely than not that an individual committed sexual abuse against them. This is a much easier standard to meet than the reasonable doubt standard required in a criminal court.
One obstacle to pursuing a case against an individual is that they may not have sufficient resources to pay compensation. A survivor could endure the stress of bringing a case and not receive any reward. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group will investigate the finances of any accused sexual abuser in Pennsylvania to determine whether they have the means to pay a reasonable settlement to a survivor.
The trauma sexual abuse causes is so severe that it may be many years before a survivor is ready to confront their experience. However, the statute of limitations sets a relatively short time frame for bringing civil lawsuits, leaving many survivors without legal options.
The Pennsylvania legislature addressed this issue in 2019. A law passed that year,
42 Pennsylvania Statutes § 5533, allowing survivors who were under 18 when they were sexually abused to bring a civil lawsuit up until their 55th birthday. Survivors who were between the ages of 18 and 23 when the abuse occurred can now bring a civil lawsuit up until their 30th birthday.
Unfortunately, these new time limits apply only when the sexual abuse occurred on or after November 26, 2019. When the sexual abuse occurred before that date, survivors have two years from the date of the abuse to file a claim or two years from their 18th birthday if they were a child when they were abused. However, the law could change again, and some Pennsylvania survivors may be able to sue under federal law, so it is always wise to consult with a sexual abuse attorney.
If you suffered sexual abuse in the past, and it had a detrimental impact on your life, you deserve compensation. Contact the Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyers at Phillips Law Group for help.
They understand that filing a claim takes courage; however, many survivors find it empowering. Schedule a free consultation with a member of the team to decide whether pursuing a sexual abuse lawsuit is right for you.
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