If you or someone you love has suffered sexual abuse in New York, you don't have to face this battle alone. At Hach & Rose, LLP, we understand the courage it takes to come forward. Our experienced New York sexual abuse lawyers have secured over $1 billion in compensation for injured New Yorkers, and we're ready to fight for the justice you're owed. Call (212) 779-0057 today for a free, confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways for New York Sexual Abuse Survivors
- Under New York's Child Victims Act, many survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits until their 55th birthday; a separate, now-closed revival window previously allowed certain expired claims.
- Many New York courts allow survivors to file using initials or a pseudonym, and judges can issue protective orders to keep sensitive details confidential.
- You can pursue a civil lawsuit even if no arrest was made or no criminal conviction occurred; the civil burden of proof is lower (“more likely than not”).
- Time limits vary based on the type of abuse and when it occurred—prompt legal consultation protects your rights.
Why Choose Hach & Rose as Your NYC Sexual Abuse Attorney
When powerful institutions fail to protect the vulnerable, we stand ready to fight. For nearly 25 years, Hach & Rose, LLP has championed the rights of working New Yorkers against corporations, religious organizations, schools, and other entities that allowed abuse to occur. Our union roots run deep, and we treat every client like family during their most difficult times.
Sexual abuse cases demand more than legal knowledge; they require compassion, discretion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges survivors face. We handle every aspect of your case with the sensitivity it deserves while aggressively pursuing those responsible.
From our Manhattan offices, we represent survivors throughout all five boroughs, Long Island, and the greater New York area. Our track record speaks volumes: over $1 billion recovered for clients, including multimillion-dollar verdicts against institutions that failed to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Our Approach to Sexual Abuse Cases
Building trust starts with listening. During your free consultation, we provide a safe, judgment-free space to share your story. Our trauma-informed approach means we understand how abuse affects every aspect of life—emotionally, physically, and financially.
We investigate thoroughly, uncovering evidence that institutions often try to hide. Our resources allow us to take on the Catholic Church, major hospitals, prestigious schools, and multi-billion dollar corporations. We prepare every case for trial, which strengthens our position during settlement negotiations.
Most importantly, we never charge upfront fees. You pay nothing unless we win your case. This contingency fee structure ensures that every survivor has access to justice, regardless of financial circumstances.
We prioritize your privacy. Where permitted, we can file using your initials or a pseudonym, seek protective orders to limit disclosure of sensitive details, and structure the process to reduce the need to retell your story.
Who May File a New York Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Sexual abuse affects people of all backgrounds, ages, and circumstances. Our attorneys represent diverse survivors seeking accountability from individuals and institutions. Understanding who may file helps survivors recognize their legal rights.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
Anyone who experienced sexual abuse as a minor in New York may have grounds for a lawsuit. This includes abuse by:
- Clergy members and religious leaders
- Teachers, coaches, and school staff
- Family members or family friends
- Youth organization leaders (scouts, camps, clubs)
- Medical professionals
- Foster parents or group home staff
Many survivors in their 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond are successfully pursuing claims.
Adult Sexual Assault Victims
Adults who experience sexual assault or abuse also have legal recourse. Common scenarios include workplace harassment, medical boundary violations, institutional abuse, and sexual violence in relationships. New York law provides various deadlines depending on specific circumstances. According to the New York State Office of Victim Services, victims have access to multiple support services while pursuing legal remedies.
Institutional Abuse Cases
Many sexual abuse cases involve institutional failures. Organizations that knew or should have known about abuse may share liability. We pursue claims against many of these types of institutions.
Religious Institutions
Multiple New York dioceses and other institutions have addressed large volumes of claims through settlements and bankruptcy compensation programs. We navigate these processes to protect your rights. Churches, synagogues, and other religious organizations owe a duty to protect congregants, especially children.
Schools and Universities
Educational institutions must maintain safe environments. This includes public schools, private academies, colleges, and universities. Liability may extend to inadequate background checks, ignored complaints, or cover-ups.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, clinics, and treatment centers must protect vulnerable patients. Cases involve doctors, nurses, therapists, and support staff who exploit their positions of trust.
Youth Organizations
Groups serving minors, including sports leagues, scouting organizations, and after-school programs, bear responsibility for volunteer and employee screening and supervision.
Detention Centers
Recent litigation revealed widespread abuse in New York juvenile facilities. Adult correctional facilities also face accountability for staff sexual misconduct.
Common Forms of Sexual Abuse We Handle
Sexual abuse encompasses various harmful behaviors. Our attorneys handle all types with equal dedication.
Child sexual abuse includes any sexual contact between an adult and minor, from inappropriate touching to rape. Grooming behaviors and non-contact abuse like exposure also constitute actionable harm.
Clergy abuse represents a severe betrayal of spiritual trust. Religious leaders who exploit their authority cause profound harm, especially when hierarchies conceal misconduct.
Medical sexual abuse occurs when healthcare providers violate boundaries through unnecessary examinations, sexual contact during treatment, or abuse of sedated patients.
Institutional sexual violence happens when organizations enable abuse through negligence by ignoring complaints, inadequate screening, or active concealment.
The Legal Process: What to Expect
Understanding the legal journey helps survivors feel prepared and empowered. While each case is unique, most follow a similar path toward resolution. Our attorneys guide you through every step, handling complex legal work while you focus on healing.
Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
Your journey begins with a free, confidential consultation at our Manhattan office, your home, or virtually. This meeting allows us to understand your story and explain your legal options.
We review relevant documents, including medical records, therapy notes, or institutional records. Don't worry if you lack documentation—many successful cases proceed based primarily on survivor testimony. After evaluation, we provide an honest assessment of your case's strengths and potential compensation ranges.
Filing Your Lawsuit
Once you decide to move forward, we prepare and file your complaint outlining allegations and legal claims. We name all potentially liable parties—both individual perpetrators and institutions that enabled abuse.
Defendants receive notice and must respond within specified timeframes. Their initial responses often include denials and legal defenses. Don't be discouraged—this is standard procedure, not a reflection on your credibility.
Discovery and Investigation
Discovery allows both sides to gather evidence. We pursue personnel files showing prior complaints, institutional policies, internal communications about allegations, and expert testimony on trauma and institutional failures.
Defendants may request your medical records and deposition testimony. We protect your privacy while complying with legal requirements. Our presence ensures you're never alone during difficult proceedings.
Settlement Negotiations vs. Trial
Many sexual abuse cases resolve through settlement negotiations. Institutions often prefer avoiding public trials that reveal systemic failures. Settlements provide guaranteed compensation without trial uncertainty.
However, we prepare every case for trial. This preparation strengthens our negotiating position. Whether through settlement or verdict, successful cases provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages.
Compensation Available for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Sexual abuse causes profound, lasting harm deserving comprehensive compensation. New York law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages. Our attorneys fight to secure every dollar you're owed for past, present, and future impacts.
Economic Damages
Medical expenses include all healthcare costs related to abuse injuries—emergency treatment, ongoing care, medications, and specialized treatments. Future medical needs receive careful consideration.
Therapy and counseling costs often represent the largest ongoing expense. We document current costs and project lifetime therapeutic needs for trauma-focused therapy and mental health services.
Lost income results when abuse affects education or career trajectory. We calculate lost wages, missed promotions, and diminished earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering compensation recognizes physical and emotional anguish. New York places no caps on these damages for sexual abuse cases.
Emotional distress damages address psychological harm, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trust issues. Expert testimony helps quantify these invisible wounds.
Punitive damages may apply for especially egregious conduct like institutional cover-ups or exploitation of vulnerable victims.
Time Limits for Filing Sexual Abuse Claims
New York's statute of limitations rules for sexual abuse cases have evolved significantly. Missing deadlines may forever bar your rights to compensation. Understanding current laws and acting promptly protects your interests.
The Child Victims Act allows lawsuits for childhood sexual abuse until age 55. This applies regardless of when abuse occurred—even decades ago. Adult sexual assault claims generally face shorter deadlines, but certain felony sex offenses allow 20-year filing periods for civil claims (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213-c).
Misdemeanor offenses and older cases may have passed deadlines, though exceptions exist.
Special circumstances may extend deadlines:
- Disability or incapacity during limitation periods
- Perpetrator's threats or fraud concealing claims
- Continuous abuse relationships
- Recent discovery of abuse-related injuries
Never assume that missed deadlines eliminate options. New York law contains various exceptions and saving provisions. Our attorneys analyze every angle to preserve your rights.
Why Sexual Abuse Cases Against Institutions Matter
Holding institutions accountable serves purposes beyond individual compensation. Your courage in coming forward protects future generations.
Exposing Hidden Truths
Institutional abuse thrives in secrecy. Lawsuits force disclosure of concealed documents, revealing abuse patterns and cover-ups. Discovery often uncovers additional victims and serial perpetrators. Public trials educate communities about institutional failures.
Forcing Systemic Changes
Financial consequences motivate institutional reforms:
- Comprehensive background screening
- Mandatory abuse reporting protocols
- Independent oversight mechanisms
- Victim-centered response procedures
These changes protect countless potential victims. Your lawsuit contributes to safer environments throughout New York.
Supporting Fellow Survivors
Coming forward empowers other survivors to seek justice. Many find strength in seeing similar cases succeed. Settlement funds often establish therapy programs or prevention initiatives.
FAQ for New York Sexual Abuse Lawyer
How much does it cost to hire a sexual abuse lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Hach & Rose, LLP works exclusively on contingency fees. You pay no attorney fees unless we secure compensation through settlement or verdict. Initial consultations are always free and confidential. This structure ensures every survivor can access quality legal representation regardless of financial circumstances.
What if the abuse happened many years ago?
The Child Victims Act specifically addresses historical abuse, allowing claims until age 55. Many current cases involve abuse from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Adult abuse cases face shorter deadlines, but exceptions may apply. Time's passage doesn't diminish your right to justice—contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Will my case become public?
Courts offer various privacy protections for sexual abuse survivors. Many cases proceed using pseudonyms or initials rather than full names. Protective orders limit disclosure of sensitive information. Settlement agreements often include confidentiality provisions. We discuss privacy options during your consultation and implement appropriate protections.
Can I sue if the abuser was never criminally convicted?
Yes. Civil cases operate independently from criminal proceedings. Many factors prevent criminal convictions, like expired statutes, insufficient evidence for "beyond reasonable doubt" standard, or prosecutorial discretion. Civil cases require only "preponderance of evidence"—proving claims are more likely than not. Many survivors obtain civil justice despite a lack of criminal convictions.
What if the institution filed for bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy doesn't eliminate abuse claims. Special procedures allow survivors to participate in bankruptcy proceedings. Many dioceses filed bankruptcy specifically to manage abuse claims efficiently. These proceedings often establish settlement funds compensating all valid claimants. We navigate bankruptcy complexities to protect your interests.
Can I sue the institution if the abuser no longer works there?
Yes. The institution’s liability often rests on its own negligence, such as a failure to screen, supervise, or report, not just the abuser’s current employment status. Institutions like schools, churches, or hospitals that knew or should have known about the risk and failed to protect victims may remain liable long after the perpetrator leaves or the abuse stops.
The focus shifts to the organization’s systemic failures, which an experienced attorney investigates.
The path to justice begins with a single phone call. If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse in New York, Hach & Rose, LLP stands ready to fight for you. Our experienced attorneys combine legal excellence with genuine compassion, treating every client like family while pursuing maximum compensation.
Time limits may affect your rights, so don't delay seeking legal guidance. Whether abuse occurred recently or decades ago, we're here to help. Our Spanish-speaking staff ensures all New Yorkers can access justice in their preferred language.
From our Manhattan offices, we represent survivors throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and beyond. Our track record of securing over $1 billion for injured clients demonstrates our effectiveness against powerful defendants.
Call Hach & Rose, LLP today at (212) 779-0057 for your free, confidential consultation. You may also contact us online. Remember—we charge no fees unless we win your case. The institutions that failed to protect you have teams of lawyers; get experienced advocates fighting for your rights.
Your story matters. Your pain is valid. Your courage in seeking justice can prevent future abuse while securing the compensation you need. Contact the New York sexual abuse lawyers at Hach & Rose, LLP today—because you've carried this burden alone long enough.