Every survivor’s path to healing after sexual abuse is different, and there’s no one right way to move forward. For some, pursuing justice through the civil legal system can be an empowering way to regain a sense of control. At Ferrer Poirot Feller, our Dallas-based legal team offers confidential, compassionate guidance to survivors across the country who are ready to take legal action against their abusers and the institutions that allowed the abuse to happen.
Many survivors are left with difficult questions: What are your legal rights? How do you begin a claim? Can the organizations that allowed the abuse to occur also be held accountable? These are all valid and important concerns. Our firm is here to listen without judgment and to clearly outline your legal options with compassion and respect.
We are committed to offering legal representation that prioritizes your safety, privacy, and autonomy, while pursuing justice and accountability on your behalf. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, we invite you to schedule a free and completely confidential consultation with our national team.
Call us at (888) 485-8844 to speak with an attorney who understands the sensitivity of these cases.
Nationwide Legal Support for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, our sexual abuse lawyers understand how important it is to handle these cases with both skill and compassion. Taking legal action after experiencing sexual abuse can be challenging, which is why our team supports survivors with care and professionalism.
Since 1981, we’ve represented individuals across the country in complex personal injury and institutional negligence cases. We bring the experience, resources, and commitment these cases require, whether you live in Texas or elsewhere in the United States.
Your legal journey begins with a private and confidential conversation where we focus on understanding your story, your concerns, and what you hope to accomplish. We take the time to listen with care and without judgment, creating a space where you can speak openly and without pressure.
If you choose to move forward, we’ll work closely with you to build a legal plan that reflects your individual goals and preferences. We’ll work with you to pursue the approach that best fits your needs—whether that means negotiating a private settlement or building a case for trial. Throughout this process, we’ll guide you through each option and support your decision.
Our team carefully investigates your case while respecting your privacy. We gather evidence such as police reports, internal records from institutions, text messages, emails, or other digital communications.
When needed, we use legal tools to request documents that organizations may try to keep hidden. These records may reveal repeated failures or cover-ups that allowed abuse to continue unchecked.
We also work with a nationwide network of trusted professionals, including therapists, psychologists, and safety consultants. These experts help explain how the abuse impacted your life and how an institution’s failures may have played a role in your harm.
With our No Fee Guarantee, you won’t need to worry about upfront legal costs, as we cover all expenses related to the investigation and litigation. You are not responsible for any attorney’s fees unless we obtain a financial recovery through settlement or trial, allowing you to get the legal support you need without added financial stress and focus fully on your recovery.
Why Survivors File Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse and Institutional Negligence
Filing a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse gives survivors the ability to take legal action independently of the criminal justice system. While criminal cases are brought by the government to punish offenders with outcomes like jail time, civil lawsuits are filed by the survivor and focus on holding individuals or institutions financially accountable for the harm caused.
Unlike in a criminal case, where the survivor serves primarily as a witness, a civil claim puts the survivor in control. This legal option remains available even if criminal charges are never filed, are dismissed, or if the accused is found not guilty.
That is because civil cases follow a different standard of proof, requiring only that the evidence shows it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred. This is a lower threshold than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal court.
For many survivors, a civil lawsuit is not only a way to seek compensation for therapy, medical care, or other long-term needs, but also a chance to have their voice heard and regain a sense of control. With support from experienced sexual abuse lawyers, this process can offer both accountability and a path forward on your terms.
How Our Attorneys Help Hold Institutions Accountable
Often, sexual abuse is not just the act of one individual but the result of a catastrophic failure by an organization. Many institutions have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for the people in their care.
When institutions fail to uphold their duty and abuse occurs as a result, the law provides survivors with the means to seek accountability. This legal principle, known as institutional liability, is a central focus of many civil sexual abuse lawsuits.
A sexual abuse lawyer can investigate whether an organization’s negligence created the opportunity for the abuse to happen. Holding these institutions accountable not only helps the individual survivor but also forces systemic changes that protect others from future harm.
These claims can be brought against a range of entities, including:
- Schools and Universities: Public school districts and private schools have a duty to protect children. This includes performing background checks on staff and responding to any complaints or warning signs of misconduct.
- Youth Organizations and Religious Institutions: Groups like sports leagues, summer camps, and churches are entrusted with the care of vulnerable individuals. They can be held liable for creating an unsafe environment or for covering up abuse.
- Rideshare Companies: Businesses like Uber and Lyft can be held accountable for assaults committed by their drivers if they failed in their duty to ensure passenger safety, such as by conducting inadequate background checks.
- Employers and Corporations: An employer can be liable for an assault that occurs in the workplace if the company was aware of a risk and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.
A legal claim against an institution focuses on what the organization knew, what it should have known, and its failure to act. This focus on institutional responsibility is a powerful way for survivors to seek justice on a larger scale.
Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Deadlines: Statute of Limitations by State
The statute of limitations is the legal time limit for filing a lawsuit, but for many years, these deadlines were so short that survivors who weren’t ready to come forward were often left without a path to justice.
Recognizing that it can take years, sometimes even decades, for survivors to process their trauma and feel ready to come forward, many states have updated their laws to reflect this reality. Across the country, legislatures have extended the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims, and several have created temporary lookback windows that allow survivors to file lawsuits even if the original deadline had already passed.
Laws governing these types of claims are complex and vary significantly from one state to another. The deadline that applies to your case may depend on factors such as your age at the time of the abuse, the state where the abuse occurred, and whether the discovery rule is recognized. In states that apply this rule, the time limit to file may begin when the survivor first makes the connection between their injuries and the past abuse.
Never assume that it is too late to pursue legal action. The most reliable way to determine the applicable deadline for your situation is to consult an attorney with experience in these matters.
What to Expect When Filing a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Our firm approaches every case with the understanding that the legal system can be intimidating, particularly for survivors of sexual abuse. We manage each matter using a trauma-informed methodology that prioritizes your emotional safety, ensures your voice is heard, and keeps you supported and in control throughout the process.
This approach is grounded in principles recognized by organizations such as the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health, which offers guidance on trauma-informed legal advocacy.
Speak Confidentially With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer at No Cost
The first step in pursuing a potential claim is a private consultation with a member of our team. This conversation is free of charge, carries no obligation, and serves as a safe and respectful space where you can ask questions and share only what you feel comfortable disclosing.
Our goal during this consultation is to provide you with clarity about your legal options so that you can make informed choices without pressure. We follow best practices recommended by legal and mental health advocates to ensure this conversation meets your needs and respects your boundaries.
Our Discreet and Thorough Investigation
If you choose to retain our firm, we will conduct a confidential investigation focused on gathering the evidence needed to support your claim while protecting your privacy and well-being. This may include obtaining police or criminal records, requesting institutional files, collecting digital communications, and interviewing relevant witnesses. We handle these steps on your behalf to minimize stress and limit your direct involvement, allowing us to build a strong case with as little disruption to you as possible.
How We Protect Your Identity in Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Once the initial investigation is complete, we will prepare and file a civil lawsuit to formally initiate your legal claim. In order to protect your identity, we may file the case using a pseudonym such as Jane Doe or John Doe—a practice permitted in many jurisdictions to help survivors maintain privacy in public court records. According to the National Crime Victim Law Institute, the use of pseudonyms in civil proceedings is an important legal safeguard that allows survivors to pursue justice without unnecessary public exposure.
Navigating Discovery and Depositions
Once the lawsuit is filed, the case moves into the discovery phase, which involves a formal exchange of information and may include a deposition. A deposition is a sworn, out-of-court interview where the opposing attorney may ask questions related to the case. We’ll make sure you’re fully prepared, support you throughout the process, and protect your rights every step of the way.
Settlement vs. Trial: Legal Options in Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Most civil sexual abuse cases are resolved through confidential settlements, which can provide meaningful financial compensation while sparing survivors the emotional toll of a public trial. Our attorneys bring extensive negotiation experience to each case, working to secure a resolution that fully reflects the harm you have endured, including both measurable losses and the broader impact on your life.
When the opposing party is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to proceed to trial. With a strong background in courtroom advocacy, our legal team is equipped to present your case clearly and persuasively to a jury.
While we offer strategic guidance throughout, the decision to settle or go to trial remains entirely yours, and we are committed to supporting you in choosing the path that best serves your interests and goals.
Damages in Sexual Abuse Lawsuits: What Compensation Can Survivors Claim?
A civil lawsuit allows a survivor to seek financial compensation, known as damages, for the wide-ranging harm caused by sexual abuse. While no amount of money can undo the past, it can provide the resources necessary for building a stable and healthy future. The compensation you may seek is generally divided into two main categories.
Economic Damages: Covering Financial Costs
These damages are meant to reimburse you for direct, measurable financial losses. The goal is to restore the financial stability that was disrupted by the trauma. Common examples include:
- The costs of therapy, counseling, medication, and other mental health services.
- Medical bills for any physical injuries that resulted from the abuse.
- Lost income if the trauma affected your ability to work or maintain employment.
- Loss of future earning capacity if the abuse derailed your education or career path.
Non-Economic Damages: Acknowledging the Human Cost
These damages reflect the emotional and psychological pain the abuse has caused. This is often the most significant component of a legal claim, as it addresses the deep and lasting nature of the harm. Examples include:
- The physical pain and emotional distress you have endured.
- Mental anguish, which can manifest as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or loss of trust.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, showing how the trauma has affected your relationships, career, or everyday life.
In some cases, where an institution or individual acted with extreme negligence or malice, the law may also allow for punitive damages. These are intended not to compensate the survivor, but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Contact Trusted Sexual Abuse Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
Choosing to explore your legal options after experiencing sexual abuse is a deeply personal decision. For many survivors, filing a civil lawsuit can offer a meaningful way to speak out, hold individuals and institutions responsible, and begin to reclaim control of their story.
The attorneys at Ferrer Poirot Feller have been advocating for survivors and those harmed by negligence since 1981. We are here to listen, to believe you, and to help you pursue justice.
Call our office at (888) 485-8844 or fill out our online form to schedule a free, completely confidential consultation. Our team is available 24/7, and you will never pay any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.