Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse Attorney in New York

Civil Claims Against Institutions, Organizations & Individuals

A civil sexual abuse lawsuit does something the criminal system can’t: it delivers financial accountability directly to the survivor. Criminal prosecution can result in incarceration, but not compensation. A civil claim targets perpetrators, the institutions that enabled them, and the organizations that failed to stop the harm. That distinction matters enormously for survivors seeking a form of justice that recognizes the full scope of what they’ve been through.

At Godosky & Gentile, we represent survivors in civil sexual abuse litigation throughout New York. Our trial lawyers bring over a century of combined legal experience to high-stakes claims against institutional defendants. One member of our team is a former judge who understands firsthand how New York courts evaluate misconduct and calculate damages. That perspective shapes how we build and present every case.

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We’re available 24/7 for free, confidential consultations, including virtual meetings. Call us at (212) 742-9706 to speak with our team at no cost and with no obligation to file.

Why Survivors Choose Godosky & Gentile

Civil sexual abuse cases against institutions are detail-intensive. They require identifying every responsible party, mapping the chain of supervision that allowed harm to occur, and building a record capable of withstanding the defense strategies institutional defendants deploy. We accept fewer than 75 cases per year, which means every matter we take receives concentrated, thorough preparation rather than being absorbed into a high-volume caseload.

Our trial record includes cases that required holding large institutional defendants accountable, including a $65 million verdict in a medical malpractice matter and a $25 million verdict in an excessive force case. These outcomes demonstrate our experience with sustained, strategic litigation against well-resourced defendants. Lawyers and judges across New York City have trusted Godosky & Gentile for their own legal representation. Our attorneys hold Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent ratings, five are named to Best Lawyers in America (2024 edition), and multiple attorneys are named Super Lawyers. That peer recognition reflects both the professional standing and the ethical standards that matter in sensitive, high-profile litigation.

We handle all sexual abuse civil claims on a contingency fee basis. No legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf.

Institutional Settings & Legal Theories in Sexual Abuse Civil Cases

Civil sexual abuse claims arise across a wide range of settings. Where the abuse occurred and who held responsibility matters because liability often extends well beyond the individual perpetrator.

Common institutional settings include:

Schools, colleges, and universities
Religious organizations and clergy environments
Youth-serving nonprofits, sports programs, and overnight camps
Foster care and residential treatment facilities
Hospitals, medical practices, and psychiatric facilities
Transit systems and hospitality employers

Legal theories that can attach to institutions include:

Negligent hiring: The institution employed or engaged someone it knew, or should have known, posed a risk
Negligent supervision: The institution failed to adequately oversee the person who committed the abuse
Negligent retention: The institution kept someone in a position of access after warning signs emerged
Failure to report: The institution was legally obligated to report suspected abuse and did not

A civil claim can name the perpetrator, the institution, and successor organizations or their insurers, even when the original institution has since closed or reorganized. When a perpetrator is deceased, incarcerated, or was never criminally charged, claims can proceed against the institution alone or against the perpetrator’s estate. Identifying every responsible defendant is one of the most consequential early steps in a sexual abuse civil claim, because institutional defendants typically carry insurance coverage and hold assets that make financial recovery meaningful.

New York’s Civil Statutes of Limitations for Sexual Abuse

New York has enacted some of the most significant survivor-protective legislation in the country. Whether a specific claim is still actionable depends on several variables, and an attorney’s analysis of the facts is necessary before concluding that options are exhausted.

Current Filing Windows

Child Victims Act (2019): Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in New York may file civil claims until they turn 55, regardless of when the abuse occurred. This window remains open.

CPLR Section 213-c: For rape and certain felony-level sexual offenses committed against adults, New York provides a 20-year civil statute of limitations running from the date of the offense.

NYC Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law (VGMVPL): An active revival window is currently open for qualifying gender-motivated violence claims involving conduct that occurred before January 9, 2022. This window is scheduled to close July 29, 2027.

Closed Window

Adult Survivors Act: The lookback window that ran from November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023, is now closed. More than 3,000 civil suits were filed during that period. Survivors who didn’t file during that window should consult an attorney to evaluate whether another statute applies to their circumstances.

Important Considerations

Civil claims against New York government entities require a timely notice of claim, which carries a shorter deadline than the underlying statute of limitations. New York courts permit survivors to file civil sexual abuse claims using initials or a pseudonym, and courts may issue protective orders to limit public disclosure of case details. A sexual abuse attorney in New York can evaluate your specific situation and explain which deadlines apply.

Compensation Available in a New York Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

A civil claim pursues financial accountability that the criminal system isn’t designed to provide. Compensation can address both the documented economic harm and the broader, lasting impact of what a survivor has experienced.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover past and future medical expenses, therapy and mental health treatment costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. These are losses a survivor can document with records and expert analysis.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the long-term psychological harm survivors carry. These damages reflect what can’t be quantified by a bill or a pay stub but is no less real.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving especially egregious or predatory conduct, New York courts may award punitive damages. These go beyond compensating the survivor and are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.

A civil lawsuit can proceed simultaneously with criminal proceedings, after them, or entirely independently. No arrest, charge, or conviction is required. The standard of proof in a civil case is a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not), a lower threshold than the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. The value of any individual claim depends on the severity of the abuse, its documented impact on the survivor’s life, and the identities and financial resources of all responsible defendants.

Why Choose Godosky & Gentile?

Comprehensive Legal Support
From initial consultation to final resolution, delivering top-tier representation with skill, diligence, and a results-driven approach.
Recognized Expertise
Respected trial attorneys with a reputation for winning complex cases through precision, strategy, and an unwavering pursuit of justice.
Client-Centered Advocacy
Fiercely committed to securing justice and maximum compensation—because every client deserves a powerful voice in the legal system.
Decades of Proven Results
A legacy of success in high-stakes personal injury and catastrophic accident cases, built on relentless advocacy and exceptional legal strategy.

Steps That Protect Your Civil Claim

Many survivors wait years or decades before feeling ready to pursue legal action. New York’s extended statutes of limitations for sexual abuse were enacted specifically in recognition of that reality. There is no single right time. When you are ready, the following steps can strengthen your position.

Seek medical attention: Prompt medical care preserves physical evidence and creates records that can serve as documentation in a civil case
File a police report if you choose to: A report creates an official record and may support a civil claim, but a lawsuit can proceed even without one
Preserve records: Save photographs, medical reports, text messages, emails, and written notes about the incident, including dates, locations, and any witnesses
Speak with an attorney: A consultation is confidential and doesn’t commit you to filing. It clarifies your options and the deadlines that apply to your situation

Speak with a Sexual Abuse Attorney in New York at No Cost

We offer free, confidential consultations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including virtual meetings for survivors who prefer not to come in person. Spanish-language services are available. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no legal fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf.

You don’t have to know whether your claim is still actionable before reaching out. That’s what the consultation is for. Call Godosky & Gentile at (212) 742-9706 or contact us through our online form to speak with our team confidentially.

Privacy Protections for Survivors in New York Civil Proceedings

Concern about public exposure stops some survivors from pursuing civil claims. New York law and court procedure offer meaningful protections that many people aren’t aware of.

Pseudonym Filing
New York civil courts allow survivors to file using initials or a pseudonym rather than their full legal name, limiting public identification throughout the case record.

Protective Orders
Courts may issue protective orders restricting access to sensitive case records and testimony, keeping specific details out of the publicly accessible record.

No Required Contact with the Perpetrator
A civil lawsuit doesn’t require the survivor to testify in a criminal proceeding or to have any direct contact with the person who caused the harm.

Attorney-Client Confidentiality
All communications between a survivor and our attorneys are fully confidential from the first consultation through the conclusion of the representation.

Survivors who experienced abuse within New York City may also access free, confidential advocacy and support services independently of any decision to pursue legal action. Pursuing a civil claim and accessing support resources aren’t mutually exclusive, and many survivors find both helpful as they move forward.

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