Teachers, coaches, and others in education hold a position of trust. Tragically, some sexual predators seek to teach or coach to give themselves access to vulnerable children. Because this form of abuse is so devastating and takes so long to process, many state legislatures have expanded the window for survivors to bring civil lawsuits against their abusers and the organizations that enabled them.
The sexual abuse attorneys at Phillips Law Group pursue swim coach sexual abuse claims on behalf of people who were sexually exploited while training in water sports. The time limits for legal action depend on several variables, including the state you live in. Our team can review your case and let you know whether you have a viable claim.
For decades, high-level swimmers have gone public with allegations of sexual abuse against coaches. Some of the athletes were minors when the abuse happened; others allege that they were groomed as minors, but sexual contact did not occur until they turned 18. Legendary Olympic diver Greg Louganis has revealed that his coach assaulted him repeatedly when he was competing in the 1980s.
USA Swimming, the governing body for the U.S. Olympic swim team and many swim clubs throughout the country, has been the subject of many lawsuits alleging the organization did not protect its swimmers from predatory coaches. Lawsuits have also been filed against numerous collegiate swim programs, private secondary and prep schools, and water polo clubs, alleging that coaches sexually abused athletes in water sports programs.
In some cases, perpetrators have been criminally convicted and imprisoned. More often, athletes find justice within the civil court system, where the burden of proof is more realistic, and the athlete can seek compensation from the swim program’s governing body as well as the perpetrator. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group have extensive experience pursuing civil suits seeking compensation for sexual abuse, including actions against swim coaches.
Civil sexual abuse claims are personal injury claims, and in the past, they were subject to the personal injury statute of limitations—in most states, that limit is two or three years. However, many states have adjusted their statutes of limitation for civil sexual abuse claims to provide survivors an opportunity to bring claims even if the abuse occurred long ago. The specifics depend on the state and the survivor’s age when they were abused.
A survivor can sue their abuser and any other adult in a position of authority who knew or should have known of the situation. The coach’s employer and the governing body of the swimming program are also potential defendants. The survivor can claim financial damages for the physical and mental suffering the abuse caused and its impact on the survivor’s professional and personal life.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group can often keep a sexual abuse survivor’s name out of public legal documents, though the swim coach and other defendants will have access to the survivor’s identity. These claims often settle out of court, so in many cases the survivor can avoid testifying about their experience.
If you were sexually abused by your coach or water sports instructor, you may have a legal claim for financial compensation against your abuser and others. If you feel ready to seek justice, contact the team at Phillips Law Group to learn whether you have a viable swim coach sexual abuse claim. We offer free consultations and treat these matters with the sensitivity they require, so reach out to us today.
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