NYC Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Have you or your child suffered sexual abuse? Your family may be eligible for compensation because of the suffering you’ve been through, especially as laws change. Seek the answers you need from a NYC lawyer.
Dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse is likely a lifelong pursuit. Whether you were a child who was abused years ago, or you have a child who has suffered abuse at the hands of someone they trusted, your family deserves justice. Tragically, many abusers are people in whom we entrust with our children. These include mentors and guardians like teachers, priests, and even relatives.
Fortunately, as New York laws change, the lawyers at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are able to help people obtain compensation they may not have received otherwise. If you’re suffering because of someone else’s actions, your NYC child sexual abuse lawyer can help. Reach out for the guidance and support with understanding the laws and your options for legal action.
Former NYC Laws on Sexual Abuse
New York law has prevented many people from acting on sexual abuse claims for years. The time limits on sexual abuse lawsuits were brief and strict. That means that, by the time you were an adult and able to file, you may not have had enough time to seek compensation.
For example, the statute of limitations limited you to a mere five years to file. That left many families without the time needed to deal with the emotional impact of the situation and the time to prepare a legal claim. Unfortunately, that means many people were unable to seek compensation and closure for their suffering.
New York’s Child Victims Act
In 2019, however, New York passed the Child Victims Act, which opened opportunities for many survivors of child sexual abuse. This act increases the time limits for survivors and gives families a longer window in which to come forward with their cases.
Now, rather than being limited to acting by the time you turn twenty-three, you’ll be able to act until you’re fifty-five. You’ll also be able to seek criminal charges until you’re twenty-eight. Many families who believed they were out of options now have the chance to hold their abusers to account and, hopefully, ensure this abuse doesn’t happen to anyone else.
This also means that victims of abuse by the clergy of New York churches have more options, even if their abuse happened years ago. The Archdiocese of New York has published a list of priests accused of sexual abuse against children, so if you believe you have a case against one of these priests, you may be able to file now.
Compensation for Child Sexual Abuse Claims
Once you’re ready to file, you’ll need to know what your claim is worth. Getting the full compensation you’re eligible for can be difficult, so you and your attorney will need to spend some time discussing your list of damages. For example, you should receive compensation for your economic damages, which includes all financial losses you’ve experienced as a result of the abuse.
In child sexual abuse claims, and many personal injury claims, your non-economic losses will make up a large portion of your losses, but they can be more difficult to calculate because they rarely appear with an invoice. Non-economic damages are those losses that affected your quality of life. An experienced attorney has special tools that can help determine the full and fair value of your claim.
If you’ve suffered child sexual abuse, you may be entitled compensation for your losses, which can include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental health services
- Emotional distress
Connect with a Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer in New York
Child sexual abuse is a serious issue, especially as more news is released from the Archdiocese of New York about dozens of abuse allegations. Fortunately, changes in the laws mean you’ll have a better chance of holding your abuser accountable.
At Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we understand that you might feel afraid to come forward. Even with the changing laws, you may be hesitant and unsure about seeking compensation for your abuse. That’s where your NYC child sexual abuse lawyer can step in. Beginning with a confidential, no-obligation consultation, we’ll look into your case and explain what options are available before you get started.
When you’re ready to hold your abuser to account, an attorney from our firm is ready to support you throughout the process. To get started, reach out by calling 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or by filling out the online contact form below.