Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Recognizing the signs of abuse is critical in protecting children and intervening early. Survivors may exhibit a range of symptoms, including:

Psychological Signs

• Sudden changes in behavior, such as withdrawal, anger, or anxiety
• Fear of specific places or people
• Nightmares or sleep disturbances

Physical Signs

• Unexplained injuries or bruises
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Signs of sexually transmitted infections

Behavioral Indicators

• Regression to earlier behaviors, such as bed-wetting
• Sexualized behavior or knowledge beyond their age
• Decline in academic performance or interest in activities

If you notice these signs in a child, it’s crucial to take immediate action to ensure their safety and well-being.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, acting quickly and decisively is essential. Here are the steps to take:

• Report the Abuse
  Contact your local child protective services agency or law enforcement. Many states have mandatory reporting laws, meaning certain professionals (e.g., teachers, doctors) are required to report suspected abuse.
• Seek Medical Attention
  A medical professional can assess the child for physical signs of abuse and provide necessary care.
• Preserve Evidence
  Avoid bathing or changing the child’s clothes, as this could destroy valuable evidence.
• Provide Emotional Support
  Reassure the child that they are not to blame and that they are safe.
• Contact Morgan & Morgan
  Contact an attorney specializing in child sexual abuse cases to understand your legal options and protect the child’s rights.

The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit, typically starting from the date of the incident or when the harm was discovered. For child sexual abuse cases, these laws can be more flexible, as survivors often take years or decades to process their trauma and feel ready to come forward.

In recent years, many states have recognized the unique challenges survivors face and enacted extensions or exceptions to these deadlines. For instance:

• California has passed laws temporarily lifting the statute of limitations, allowing survivors to file claims regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
• New York created the Child Victims Act, which opened a special lookback window for survivors of any age to file lawsuits.

These changes represent a growing acknowledgment of the lasting impact of abuse and the need for justice, no matter how much time has passed.

What This Means for Survivors

Survivors who may have thought they missed their opportunity to seek justice may now have renewed chances to file lawsuits. These legal avenues provide not only the potential for financial compensation but also a path toward accountability for abusers and the institutions that allowed the abuse to occur.

At Morgan & Morgan, our team of experienced child sexual abuse attorneys has successfully represented countless clients in similar situations, securing millions in compensation. As the largest personal injury law firm in the country with over 1,000 lawyers nationwide, we have the resources, knowledge, and dedication to fight for your rights. 

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay unless we win your case. Morgan & Morgan believes justice should be accessible to all, so our motto is the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win.

We are dedicated to holding perpetrators and those who enable child sex abuse accountable for the harm they’ve caused. No survivor should have to carry the weight of their trauma alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, confidential case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

No. Consultations at Morgan & Morgan are completely free. We believe everyone deserves access to legal advice, regardless of their financial situation.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation on our site or by phone.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you don’t just hire a lawyer, you hire the largest personal injury law firm in the country with an army of over 1,000 lawyers and offices in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Your case will be handled by a dedicated team of professionals, including personal injury lawyers, paralegals, and support staff. You will be assigned a care team that includes a primary attorney who will oversee your case and ensure you receive personalized attention throughout the process.

After your initial consultation, your care team will schedule regular meetings to discuss your case, provide updates, and prepare you for any upcoming proceedings. We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and keeping you informed every step of the way.

These meetings can be handled in person, virtually, and by phone, depending on your case’s requirements and your ability to do so.

Morgan & Morgan’s sex abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your case comes to a successful conclusion. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Child sexual abuse often occurs within the context of trusted institutions. These organizations are supposed to protect children, yet in some cases, they fail to do so. Commonly implicated institutions include:

• Churches: Many high-profile cases have uncovered abuse within religious organizations, where victims were often silenced by power dynamics or internal policies.
• Schools: Public and private schools are frequent settings for abuse, with teachers, coaches, or other staff exploiting their positions of authority.
• Camps and Recreational Organizations: Summer camps, sports teams, and clubs may lack proper oversight, creating opportunities for abuse.
• Foster Care Systems: Vulnerable children in foster care are at a heightened risk, particularly in poorly regulated systems.

When these institutions fail to protect children, they may be held accountable for enabling abuse through negligence or cover-ups.

Hiring an attorney experienced in child sexual abuse cases at Morgan & Morgan offers several benefits, including:

• Expertise in Sensitive Cases: These lawyers understand the nuances of trauma and can navigate the legal system with compassion.
• Confidentiality: They will work to protect the survivor’s privacy and handle the case discreetly.
• Maximizing Compensation: Experienced attorneys can identify all liable parties, including institutions, to ensure survivors receive the justice they deserve.

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys are committed to helping survivors find their voice, seek justice, and rebuild their lives.

Look for the common signs of abuse mentioned above, such as behavioral changes, physical symptoms, or disclosures from the child. If you suspect abuse, seek professional help immediately.

Yes, many states have introduced new laws that have allowed adults to file lawsuits for abuse that occurred years or even decades earlier. Since these are very serious issues dealing with children who are unable to speak out for themselves, victims have extended rights in many states. Contact Morgan & Morgan to learn more about your state’s specific laws and if you are eligible for a lawsuit.

In child sexual abuse lawsuits, survivors may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help address the harm they've endured. The types of compensation available typically fall into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. 

Economic Damages

These are measurable financial losses incurred as a result of the abuse. They may include:

• Medical Expenses: Costs for treatments related to the abuse, including immediate care, ongoing medical needs, and future expenses.
• Therapy and Counseling: Compensation for psychological care, such as therapy, counseling, or mental health treatment for trauma and its long-term effects.
• Lost Wages: If the abuse has impacted the survivor’s ability to work or caused lost wages, this can be factored into the settlement.
• Educational Support: Costs related to educational setbacks caused by the abuse, such as tutoring, special education, or vocational training.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages compensate for the emotional and psychological toll the abuse has caused, which may not have a direct monetary value but are no less significant. They include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional anguish endured by the survivor.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the abuse has diminished the survivor’s ability to enjoy life’s activities.
• Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological trauma and its impact on relationships and daily life.
• Punitive Damages: These are awarded in cases where the abuser or an institution acted egregiously, serving as a punishment and deterrent for similar actions in the future.

Additional Considerations

• Future Care Costs: Compensation may also account for long-term care needs, including therapy or support groups.
• Restitution: In some cases, courts may order the perpetrator to pay restitution as part of the compensation.
• Institutional Accountability: When organizations (e.g., schools, churches) are found negligent, survivors may receive compensation from these entities for their role in enabling or covering up the abuse.

Every case is unique, and the exact compensation will depend on factors such as the severity of the abuse, its impact on the survivor’s life, and the entities involved. A specialized child sexual abuse attorney can help survivors understand their legal rights, calculate the damages they’re entitled to, and fight for the justice they deserve.

Courts often allow survivors to proceed anonymously or implement protective measures to shield identities. When you work with an experienced attorney at Morgan & Morgan, they will help fight to protect your child’s privacy with professionalism, discretion, and tact.

Determining liability when multiple institutions are involved in a child sexual abuse case can be complex. The process typically requires a thorough investigation to establish how each entity contributed to the abuse, either through direct actions or failures to act. Here's how liability is assessed:

1. Identifying the Institutions Involved

Common institutions implicated in child sexual abuse cases include:

• Schools: Failure to report suspected abuse or inadequate screening of staff.
• Churches/Religious Organizations: Covering up abuse or enabling perpetrators.
• Camps or Recreational Programs: Lack of proper supervision or failure to implement safety measures.
• Sports Organizations: Neglecting to address reports of misconduct by coaches or staff.

The first step is determining which institutions had a role in the abuse, whether through negligence, complicity, or direct involvement.

2. Establishing a Duty of Care

To hold an institution liable, it must be shown that the organization had a legal duty to protect the child. For example:

• A school is expected to provide a safe environment for its students.
• A church is responsible for ensuring its staff and volunteers do not pose a risk to children.

The failure to fulfill this duty of care can make the institution legally responsible.

3. Proving Negligence or Misconduct

Survivors and their legal team must show how each institution’s negligence or misconduct contributed to the abuse. This can include:

• Failing to Conduct Background Checks: Hiring staff or volunteers with a history of abuse or misconduct.
• Ignoring Complaints or Warning Signs: Overlooking prior allegations or suspicious behavior.
• Inadequate Supervision: Failing to monitor interactions between staff/volunteers and children.
• Policies that Enable Abuse: Implementing or enforcing rules that make it easier for abuse to occur, such as allowing unsupervised access to children.

Each institution’s role will be evaluated to determine whether their actions or inactions created conditions that allowed the abuse to happen.

4. Shared Liability

When multiple entities share responsibility, liability is typically divided among them. This may depend on:

• The Degree of Negligence: Institutions that played a more significant role in enabling the abuse may bear a larger share of the liability.
• Jurisdictional Laws: Some states have laws that determine how liability is allocated among multiple defendants.

For example, if a school hired a teacher with known misconduct allegations and a church failed to report prior abuse by the same person, both could be held accountable for their respective roles.

5. Use of Documentation and Evidence

Determining liability requires strong evidence, such as:

• Internal reports, emails, or memos showing knowledge of the abuse.
• Testimony from survivors, witnesses, or whistleblowers.
• Official records, such as background checks or disciplinary actions.

This evidence can demonstrate what each institution knew and when they knew it, helping to establish their culpability.

6. Role of Institutional Policies

Courts may examine whether the institutions had adequate policies in place to prevent abuse and whether those policies were enforced. An institution could be liable if:

• They failed to implement effective child protection policies.
• They actively concealed abuse to protect their reputation.

7. Role of a Specialized Attorney

An experienced child sexual abuse attorney plays a crucial role in identifying all responsible parties and building a strong case. They can navigate complex legal frameworks, hold institutions accountable, and advocate for maximum compensation for the survivor.

When looking for the best lawyer to handle a child sexual abuse case, you should choose a lawyer with experience in handling sensitive cases, a track record of success, and a compassionate approach.

Morgan & Morgan’s personal injury attorneys are committed to getting the maximum compensation for our clients and holding guilty parties accountable.

They are also backed by the largest personal injury law firm in America, so while you receive personal care from local experienced attorneys, you also get the benefits of Morgan & Morgan’s extensive resources, proven track record, and robust representation.

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight For the People—not the powerful—and in our decades of experience as a family firm, we have recovered over $25 billion for clients, so that they could get the compensation they needed and deserved to move forward with their lives after tragedy struck.

We take child abuse seriously, and we understand that these situations can be incredibly challenging, and that’s why we don’t think hiring a lawyer should be.

Hiring a lawyer from Morgan & Morgan is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.