SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS When the Stakes Are High, Victims Choose Levy Konigsberg

Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Experienced Attorneys Pursuing Justice for Survivors of Sexual Abuse: (800) 315-3806

At Levy Konigsberg, we are committed to seeking justice for those who have experienced sexual abuse, either as children or as adults. As much as individual abusers, the institutions that conceal the actions of perpetrators and protect them from criminal and civil punishment can be held accountable for failing to safeguard the health and safety of victims.

With the recent passage of legislation that extends the statute of limitations and provides a “look-back period” for victims of sexual abuse, survivors have an unprecedented opportunity to seek redress for their injuries. If you have been harmed by any of the following institutions, please let us help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

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Levy Konigsberg has recovered over $3 billion on behalf of our clients. We have the litigation experience and resources to help sexual abuse victims pursue justice. Call (800) 315-3806 or contact us online to learn more in a free consultation.

Hospitals, Universities and Medical Programs

Were You Victimized by a Doctor or a Person in a Position of Trust?

Class action lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct by doctors have been filed against hospitals, universities and medical programs across the United States. Some of the most high-profile cases of sexual abuse involve large-scale, egregious conduct over many years despite institutional knowledge of the abuser’s behavior. These include George Tyndall, a gynecologist at the University of Southern California, who sexually abused patients for thirty years under the guise of medical necessity. Former wrestlers from the Ohio State University allege that team physician, Richard Strauss, sexually abused hundreds of boys during the 1980s and 1990s. Victims of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar, the head athletic doctor at Michigan State University (MSU), recently reached a $500 million settlement related to claims that he sexually abused hundreds of gymnasts and athletes formerly under his care.

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Sexual Abuse Claims Against Rockefeller University Hospital and the Estate of Reginald Archibald

Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Reginald Archibald sexually abused thousands of children during his four decades of work at Rockefeller University Hospital in New York. The hospital had knowledge and was aware of credible claims of sexual misconduct concerning Dr. Archibald since 1960, and after multiple investigations, took no action. The hospital failed to protect its most vulnerable patients. A class action lawsuit was filed after the hospital mailed over 1,000 letters to former patients of the now deceased Dr. Archibald. The hospital re-victimized patients who were sexually abused, and the recipients suffered significant emotional distress and were subjected to a gross invasion of privacy. As a result of recent legislation in New York, hundreds, if not thousands of lawsuits will likely be filed against the hospital for its role in Dr. Archibald’s sexual abuse of thousands of patients at the hospital’s facilities.

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The Catholic Church

Allegations of sexual abuse against the Catholic Church date back to the 1950s. The scope of abuse is so vast that numbers of perpetrators and victims are difficult to assess. However, according to some reports, the Catholic Church has paid out nearly $4 billion to approximately 9,000 survivors since the 1980s. One on the most shocking aspects of the sexual misconduct by members of the clergy is the extent to which the Church deliberately concealed, covered up, and dismissed allegations of abuse, even going so far as destroying documents that could have been used to prosecute perpetrators and prevent future abuse of other children.

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Universities, Colleges and Schools

Most incidents of sexual abuse against children are committed by trusted adults, such as teachers. Abuse by school teachers and staff often persists for long periods of time because children are afraid to speak up against their abuser, or feel ashamed, embarrassed, or responsible for the egregious acts of adults they believed to be trustworthy. Schools and universities are entrusted with the care of children and young adults and are responsible for providing a safe and secure environment. An educational institution that negligently hires or supervises its staff, or takes no action upon learning of sexual misconduct, fails to fulfill its duty to its students. Title IX, which prohibits sexual assault, sexual harassment, and rape on college campuses may serve as an additional basis for liability of higher educational institutions.

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Boy Scouts of America

The Boys Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the largest youth organizations in the country with almost 110 million Americans participating in its programs. The BSA has been linked to claims of sexual abuse by its members for decades. Recent reports reveal that, from 1944 to 2016, the BSA fostered sexual abuse by 7,819 suspected abusers against a staggering 12,254 child victims. Many of the lawsuits filed by former BSA members allege that BSA officials failed to take reasonable steps to protect scouts from foreseeable dangers of sexual abuse. Scout leaders were often encouraged to resign quietly or were simply moved by the organization to different locations. New laws extending the statute of limitations in many states are expected to result in hundreds of additional lawsuits against the BSA by adults who were sexually abused as children.

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Youth Sports Organizations

Coaches play an instrumental role in the lives of young children in organized sports. The nature of the athlete-coach relationship often places children in situations where they come in frequent close contact with coaches, often while no other adults are present. If a youth sports organization fails to maintain the safety and well-being of athletes, both the coach and the organization may be held liable. In many cases, coaches and teachers with a history of sexual misconduct are quietly removed from their jobs by employers, who fear liability, and go on to accept other positions working with children where new employers are unaware of their history of misconduct. In this way, perpetrators continue to prey on new victims.

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Daycare / Aftercare

Parents who rely on daycare and aftercare facilities assume that their children are safe while under the supervision of trustworthy adults. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Young children who are sexually abused in daycare and aftercare facilities may be unaware of the crimes being committed against them or lack the verbal skills to seek help from parents and other adults. When aftercare and daycare operators and supervisors breach their most fundamental duty to ensure the well-being of children, they can be held liable for faulty hiring and retention, and failing to take steps to stop and/or report the abuse.

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Residential Care / Group Homes

Allegations of sexual abuse by a health care worker against a comatose woman in a long-term care facility in Arizona brought national attention to the dangers of sexual assault in residential care homes. Sexual abuse by health care workers in long-term care facilities, group homes or private homes can be especially egregious given the vulnerable state of residents in such settings. Many of them are elderly or have significant mental or physical impairments which enable abusers to commit assaults without others being aware of the abuse. The operators of the group home or the company that hires home health workers are responsible for employing policies that ensure the safety of their residents and clients.

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Summer Camps

Sexual abuse has been reported by hundreds of campers in all types of summer camps over the past few decades. Children can be vulnerable when they are in sleepaway camps away from their parents and removed from their daily routines. Moreover, summer camps are not subject to regulations that ensure camper safety. Not all states have licensing requirements for sleepover camps and 18 states do not even require that camps conduct background checks. Predators may feel especially at liberty to target children in situations with few safety controls. Summer camp owners and supervisors can incur liability for deficient oversight when children are harmed under their care.

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Law Enforcement

Sexual assault by law enforcement against individuals who are apprehended or arrested has occurred with increasing frequency. An investigation on police misconduct in 2015 revealed that an officer is accused of sexual abuse at least every five days- and a large portion of such incidents involve minors. Perpetrators of sexual abuse may use fear and intimidation to coerce their victims. Officers may prey in particular on weak individuals, such as women with a history of misconduct or those who have been abused. If you have been arrested, detained or questioned by police, you have the right to safety and security. Any victim of sexual abuse by an officer while in police custody has the right to seek compensation for his/her mental and physical injuries.

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Entertainment Industry

In the wake of revelations about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse of dozens of female actresses, hundreds of victims of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry have felt empowered to tell their stories. Sexual assault in entertainment affects actors, actresses, models, musicians and their employees. Abusive behavior by high-profile celebrities includes anything from inappropriate sexual gestures to rape. Victims have reported cooperating or maintaining their silence out of fear of being blacklisted. Children are especially vulnerable to abuse by entertainment executives since they are often not supervised by parents. Sexual abuse in entertainment is a crime not unlike other sex crimes; the perpetrators, and those who were aware of the abuse and concealed it, can be held liable for their actions.

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Spas and Massage Parlors

Almost 200 clients of Massage Envy have filed reports of sexual abuse while receiving massages at the popular massage chain. Poor policies for handling sexual abuse at the massage chain have led some victims to feel inadequately protected. For example, the company does not require franchises to report sexual assaults to local law enforcement and does not maintain a uniform policy for dealing with sexual assault. Each franchise is responsible for its own investigations, thus allowing some perpetrators to remain employed at their jobs. When an employer is aware that a masseuse sexually assaulted customers at a previous job and hires him anyway, he can be found liable for negligent hiring. Some massage parlors even engage in human (sex) trafficking, where they exploit victims to engage in commercial sexual activity. Owners and operators of massage parlors owe a duty of care to employ and monitor staff in a manner that ensures the safety of all customers.

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Foster Care Homes

Sexual abuse is an unfortunate reality for a significant portion of children in individual foster care or group homes. Children who are placed in group homes are 28 times more likely to incur sexual abuse than those living in other types of settings. Unfortunately, the circumstances of foster care allow such abuse to go undetected and unreported for long periods of time. Children, many of whom are already traumatized by circumstances in their birth homes, often do not have a trusted adult to rely upon and may feel insecure to reveal abuse to others for fear of retribution or expulsion from their current living situation. Group homes, often operated by state or local governments, may be especially poorly staffed and supervised – conditions that foster sexual abuse of vulnerable children.

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Cruise Ship / Airlines

The incidence of sexual assault aboard cruise ships and airlines has risen with alarming frequency. Air and sea carriers are obligated to keep passengers safe- this includes hiring individuals with clean records, monitoring their vessels for misconduct, and taking steps to stop and report sexual abuse. The FBI recently found that sexual assault in air travel increased by 66 percent between 2014 and 2017. Similarly, sexual assault is the most frequent crime aboard cruise ships. When sexual assault is committed on planes or ships, the victims may be ignored, advised to stop pursuing the matter, or simply subjected to a biased investigation. Supervisors on ships and planes may not be equipped to handle claims of sexual assault or apprehend the perpetrators while isolated from local law enforcement.

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Hospitality Industry

Claims of sexual abuse in the hospitality industry have been brought by both guests at hotels and motels as well as employees who work at these places of business. Hotel guests have alleged breaches of trust and security by hotel employees or other guests that have resulted in sexual attacks. Similarly, housekeepers have claimed that sexual assault by hotel guests has caused them to experience fear while performing their jobs. Several states have enacted laws requiring hotel operators to install panic buttons for housekeeper use when they fear that an assault is imminent. Housekeepers are among a growing group of low wage workers that maintain that large establishments do not have adequate measures in place to prevent or stop sexual harassment and sexual abuse of their employees.

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Ride Share Services

While ride share services provide cheap and accessible transportation, claims of sexual assault by passengers in Uber and Lyft cars have raised concerns about the hiring practices of these services. Lawsuits initiated by victims of sexual assault claim that Uber and Lyft failed to implement adequate safety checks when hiring drivers, including relying on third-party screening services that do not include fingerprint checks. Despite mounting pressures, ride share companies have resisted implementing more thorough background checks. In some cases, passengers have accused ride share companies of allowing drivers with known criminal background checks to continue to work for them. Passengers who have been sexually assaulted may assert claims for assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment.

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Jehovah’s Witnesses

Levy Konigsberg is currently investigating a growing number of child sexual abuse accusations against Jehovah’s Witnesses. In Washington State, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon, Delaware, Montana, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Mexico, lawsuits have been filed in the past against the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which runs and funds Jehovah’s Witnesses. Evidence has revealed that this organization knew about, and intentionally hid, accusations and incidents of child sexual abuse carried out by members of the church. More lawsuits have begun recently for the church’s negligence and intentional coverups, so it is the right time for you to discover your legal options if you think you have a Jehovah’s Witness sexual abuse lawsuit to file, too.

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Effects of Sexual Abuse

Many adults and children who have suffered sexual abuse experience long-lasting and profound psychological, emotional, and physical trauma. While no two victims are the same, most individuals experience stress, fear, anxiety, depression and difficulty conducting daily activities following the assault. Other victims might engage in self-mutilation and substance abuse or attempt suicide. Victims of sexual abuse also report social isolation, strained relationships with family, and risk-taking behaviors. Individuals who have been sexually abused as children may experience additional psychological and emotional problems because children often develop negative self-image and blame themselves for abuse. In many cases, sexually abused children have difficulties that last well into adulthood including difficulty forming relationships and issues with intimacy and trust.

Settlements and Recovery for Sex Abuse Victims

Sexual abuse can have a significant impact on the lives of victims for years or decades after the abuse occurs. Victims of sexual abuse who file civil lawsuits can recover monetary damages for a broad range of damages, including physical and emotional pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical and psychiatric expenses. In some cases, victims may be able to recover punitive damages as well. Liability for sexual assault is not limited to the party who committed the assault: Hospitals, churches, universities, youth groups like the BSA, and other institutions may be found liable for negligence. Civil recoveries can be extensive depending on the nature of the abuse. Recent recoveries against Michigan State University, the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America have been some of the largest amounts in the history of sex abuse cases.

Attention: New York and New Jersey Law Provides Additional Time for Sexual Abuse Survivors to Bring Action

The New York Child Victims Act

New York is now at the forefront of progressive legislation targeting childhood sexual abuse with the passage of the New York Child Victims Act (CVA). The law extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits for sexual abuse. By extending the time period for victims to recover for injuries wrought by sexual abuse, the CVA allows survivors to seek justice and compensation when they are prepared and able to tell their stories. Under the CVA, the statute of limitations for filing criminal charges for sexual abuse is 28 years old and the statute of limitations for filing civil claims for sexual abuse is 55 years old. In addition, anyone under the age of 18 who was abused and precluded from filing a claim has a one-year window to file charges regardless of age.

New Jersey Laws for Victims of Sexual Abuse

A new law in New Jersey has been passed to enable victims of sexual abuse to pursue civil lawsuits against their perpetrators for crimes committed years earlier. The legislation gives survivors the opportunity to seek compensation for the abuse they suffered even if the statute of limitations has expired. Under the law, victims who were previously barred by the statute of limitations may now file lawsuits for damages against their abusers and the institutions that concealed the abuse for two years. Victims who do not file actions within the “two-year window” may sue their perpetrators until they turn 55 years of age or within seven years of recognizing that they were injured by sexual abuse. In addition, the New Jersey Independent Victim Compensation (IVC) program was established by New Jersey’s five Catholic dioceses to compensate victims for sexual abuse that occurred in Catholic churches and Catholic schools decades ago.

STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

One of the most significant impediments for victims of childhood sexual abuse is a statute of limitations barring claims for civil monetary damages. Victims often delay reporting the abuse out of embarrassment, shame, doubt over whether the incident rose to the level of sexual assault, or inability to comprehend or fully process their traumatic experience until some time has passed. By the time many victims decide to come forward and seek justice, they may no longer be permitted to file lawsuits because of the age of their claims. Several states have taken the lead in extending the statute of limitations to allow sexual assault survivors to have their day in court. These laws are instrumental in helping survivors seek justice and compensation for their injuries many years after the abuse occurred.

Several states, in addition to New York and New Jersey, have passed laws to extend the statute of limitations and allow survivors to seek compensation for their injuries many years after the abuse occurred.

California Law AB 1619 - Statute of Limitations

The California State Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Bill 1619 (AB 1619) on September 29, 2018. The legislation expands the statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors from two years to ten years after the last episode of abuse. In addition, if a victim of sexual assault discovers an injury linked to the abuse, he or she may file a lawsuit in California within three years of discovery of the injury or illness. Proponents of AB 1619 maintain that extending the statute of limitations helps victims who did not realize the nature or extent of their injuries, are unaware of their legal options, or are awaiting the conclusion of a criminal trial.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260 §4C & §4C 1/2

Until Massachusetts reformed its statute of limitations, victims of childhood sexual abuse had only three years from their 18th birthday to file a claim for civil damages against individual perpetrators and institutions who negligently supervised their abusers. In 2015, the Massachusetts Legislature amended this rule to allow victims of sexual abuse to bring claims for at least 35 years following their 18th birthday against individual perpetrators of sexual abuse and at least 7 years following their 18th birthday against individuals and institutions whose negligent behavior contributed to the abuse.

Connecticut General Statute §52-577e

Connecticut law provides that a civil action for sexual abuse may be brought any time after the last assault occurred if the accused has been convicted of 1st degree sexual assault or 1st degree aggravated sexual assault. In all other cases, a victim who was a minor when the assault occurred may file suit at any time before the age of 48.

A number of other states, including Rhode Island, have recently voted to pass legislation extending the statute of limitations for sex abuse victims in civil cases.

New York Correction Facility Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Under the leadership of Partner-Attorney Anna Kull, Levy Konigsberg has become the frontrunner of litigation against New York State and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for all-female correctional facility sexual abuse lawsuits. Our sexual abuse litigation team has recently filed more than 100 lawsuits on behalf of former inmates who were sexually abused while serving time in many different prisons and correctional facilities throughout New York. Many of the cases have been filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act, and each involves sexual abuse carried out by correctional facility staff members.

We are here to stand up for the rights of inmates who were abused by prison staff members at:

For her dedication to upholding the rights of sexually abused inmates, Attorney Kull has been featured in several news pieces, articles, and even a documentary film. Recently, she has been featured in an article by The Appeal, a popular law-focused newsroom; a cover story for the New York Daily News that shared the story of a few women who were sexually abused at Bayview Correctional Facility; and a Brut Media short documentary film, A Chance for Justice: Life After Abuse in Prison, which shined a spotlight on Attorney Kull’s fight for those women.

More About Bayview Correctional Facility

For decades, the Bayview Correctional Facility was a medium-security women’s prison in Manhattan. It was closed after Hurricane Sandy damaged it in 2012. It was not closed, however, even after many reports of sexual abuse carried out by the correctional officers against the inmates.

According to many of the inmates that spent time at Bayview, sexual abuse was rampant and unchecked there. One federal survey found that around 12% of the female inmates there reported being sexually abused in just one year, which is five times higher than the rate of reports at the average women’s prison. Lawsuits have been successfully brought against Bayview for failing to protect its inmates from sexual abuse, too.

With Bayview closed, the window to sue the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) would have normally been closed as well. However, the New York Adult Survivors Act has given abused Bayview Correctional Facility inmates a new opportunity to file a sexual abuse lawsuit. A brief one-year lookback window will open from November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023. Do not miss your chance to file a claim if you were sexually abused at the now-shuttered Bayview Correctional Facility in Manhattan but never came forward with a lawsuit or claim.

(More information: Bayview Correctional Facility Sex Abuse Survivors Can Now Seek Justice Thanks to Adult Survivors Act)

Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Other States

Levy Konigsberg is a sexual abuse litigation firm with a nationwide reputation and presence. We have offices in several states beyond New York, and we can assist with a sexual abuse lawsuit anywhere.

You can rely on Levy Konigsberg for sexual abuse cases in these states or involving:

Our lawyers have the experience and resources to help sex abuse victims obtain justice and take on the powerful entities that have sheltered abusers. If you or your child have been harmed, please contact us for a free case evaluation by calling (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry.

An Experienced Team
You Can Trust

Fighting the good fight for sexual abuse survivors is an integral part of Levy Konigsberg. We know how much courage it takes for a sex abuse survivor to speak up and demand justice, so we approach each case with compassion, sensitivity, and confidentiality. Even if the sexual assault took place decades in the past, there might be legal grounds to take action against the abuser and the institution that harbored or enabled them. That’s why we encourage everyone who thinks they might have a case to reach out to our firm today.

Our High-Impact cases

  • Sexual Abuse Case Settlement $30,340,000

    LK attorney Corey Stern obtained a settlement of over $30 million dollars for 64 survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated by a New York pediatrician practicing at a major hospital in New York City.

OUR PARTNERS Making a Difference for Clients and Public Health

Levy Konigsberg’s landmark jury verdicts and settlements make a difference in the lives of our clients and the public. Our cases have changed the law to make people safer and resulted in dangerous products being removed from the market. Our attorneys handle a broad range of cases, including cases involving mesothelioma, lead poisoning, water contamination, sexual abuse, pharmaceutical liability, tobacco injuries, toxic chemical exposure,  and more. We have been nationally recognized for our long history of achieving record-setting results.

MEDIA APPEARANCES

The attorneys of Levy Konigsberg have appeared as legal analysts on numerous local and national news outlets, including NBC, USA Today, and AP. Our firm has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other highly respected publications for our noteworthy case results and numerous successes in high-profile civil litigation matters. We have also been frequently recognized by local news stations and media for our legal achievements and commitment to bettering the communities we serve.
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