In 2019, the Pennsylvania legislature took the long overdue step of extending the statute of limitations within which sexual abuse survivors can file a civil lawsuit against a sexual predator and any institution, organization, or facility that enabled the abuse to occur. Before 2019, survivors of childhood sexual abuse had until the age of 30 to file a lawsuit, while adult victims of sexual abuse, assault, rape, statutory rape, and sexual harassment had only a two-year window to pursue their claims. Unfortunately, this meant that many of these cases were never brought to court because the unique trauma, fear, and emotional distress experienced by victims of sexual abuse often render them unable to report, or even fully comprehend, the harm that occurred until years or decades after the fact. These psychological barriers to bringing suit are heightened by the fact that the defendant predators in sexual abuse cases are often trusted and respected individuals and institutions, including priests and other members of the clergy, teachers, coaches, churches, schools, caretakers and family members. There have also been a number of high-profile sexual abuse cases filed against hotels, motels, and youth detention and development centers.
Under the 2019 law, individuals who were under 18 years of age at the time they were abused may file a lawsuit until they turn 50, and individuals who were 18-24 years old at the time of the abuse can file suit until they reach the age of 30. Presently, the 2019 law does not apply retroactively, which means that individuals who were sexually abused or were the victim of a sex crime prior to 2019 are still subject to the former two-year statute of limitations. The Pennsylvania legislature is optimistic that it can correct this injustice by presenting a ballot referendum in May or November of 2023 that would provide for a two-year window during which all victims of sexual abuse may file a lawsuit regardless of when the abuse took place.
In anticipation of the opening of the two-year window, Meyerson & Miller (www.meyersonlawfirm.com) is partnering with Cohn & Associates (www.cbcohn.com) in preparing to represent victims of childhood sexual abuse, incest, and other sex crimes. Our team of experienced and attentive litigators includes former prosecutors who have brought charges against perpetrators of sexual abuse and violence who are distinctively equipped to understand and manage the unique challenges that arise in this sensitive context. If you or a loved one are experiencing or have experienced post-traumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidality, or other physical and emotional harm arising from sexual abuse or violence, you may be entitled to receive monetary damages from the predator who perpetrated the violence or from any organization, school, church, motel or hotel that was negligent in enabling or failing to stop the abuse.
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submit a brief summary of your case online or contact our intake coordinator at (215) 972-1376 for a free and confidential review of your potential case.