Survivors of Institutional Sexual Abuse May Have a Right to Sue — Even Decades Later

Many states have passed special laws — called “lookback windows” — that allow survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil cases even when the normal filing deadline has passed. These laws exist because survivors often don’t come forward for years or even decades. If you were abused by someone at a school, church, sports organization, youth club, or other institution — and the institution knew or should have known — you may be able to file a civil case, even if the abuse happened many years ago.

What These Civil Cases Are About

When sexual abuse happens at an institution — a church, school, youth sports league, club, or similar organization — the institution itself can be held responsible in civil court. This is separate from any criminal case. Even if the person who committed the abuse has already faced criminal charges, or if no criminal case was ever filed, you can still pursue a civil case against the institution.

Civil cases are about money damages — compensating you for what happened and the lasting harm it caused. They are not about sending someone to prison. Over the past decade, institutions including the Catholic Church, USA Gymnastics, the Boy Scouts of America, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and hundreds of schools and youth organizations have faced civil cases brought by survivors. Many of those cases resulted in substantial settlements.

Who May Qualify

You may have a civil case if the following apply to you:

1. You were abused — physically or sexually — as a minor at or by someone connected to a school, church, sports organization, youth club, camp, or similar institution.
2. The institution employed, sheltered, or supervised the person who abused you — and failed to act on warning signs or reports.
3. You live in a state that has a lookback window law or has not yet expired the statute of limitations — or your state’s window is currently open.

You may qualify even if: the abuse happened 10, 20, or 30+ years ago; the abuser is deceased; no criminal case was ever filed; or you never reported it at the time.

What Could This Mean for You?

We will not quote you a number. Civil settlements in these cases vary widely depending on the institution, the number of survivors, and the specifics of what happened. What we can tell you is that the case check is free, and you will not pay anything unless your case recovers money for you.

What About the Filing Deadline?

Many states have recently passed or are currently debating lookback window laws. Some windows are already open; some have closed; some are still being debated. Once a window closes, you may lose your right to file — permanently. The only way to know whether a window is open in your state right now is to check. Don’t wait.

What Happens If You File

Step 1 — Free Case Check

Submit the form. A real person reviews it. If it looks like you may have a case, someone reaches out within one week.

Step 2 — A Private Conversation

If your info matches, a team member will contact you to learn more. This conversation is completely private and confidential.

Step 3 — Moving Forward

If you decide to move forward, you sign a simple agreement — you pay nothing unless we recover money.

Step 4 — The Institution Is Held Accountable

Your case moves through the legal process. You are not required to appear in court in most cases. We handle the legal work. You get regular updates.

Common Questions

The abuse happened 25 years ago — can I still file?

Possibly yes, depending on your state’s lookback window law — that’s why it’s important to check now.

What if I never reported it?

You do not need to have reported the abuse to law enforcement to file a civil case.

What if the abuser is dead?

The institution itself can still be held accountable for its role in allowing the abuse to happen.

Will I have to tell my story publicly?

Civil cases often settle before trial. Many survivors never appear in court. Your privacy is protected throughout the process.

Is this different from a criminal case?

Yes — a civil case is about money damages for what you experienced. It is separate from any criminal proceedings, and can move forward regardless of what happened (or didn’t happen) on the criminal side.