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Personal Injury
Irvine Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Were you or a loved one sexually abused in Irvine? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help survivors hold abusers and institutions accountable. Contact us 24/7 for a free, confidential case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
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Understanding Your Sexual Abuse Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that represents survivors of sexual abuse with compassion, discretion, and determination. Our attorneys handle these sensitive cases confidentially, investigate how the abuse was allowed to happen, and pursue accountability from both individual abusers and the institutions that enabled them. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Survivors can generally pursue claims against the individual abuser and any institution that negligently enabled the abuse. In Irvine and throughout Orange County, that commonly includes school districts, universities, private schools, youth sports organizations, religious institutions, medical providers, and employers. When an organization ignores warning signs, fails to screen staff, or covers up misconduct, it can be held civilly liable for the harm survivors suffer.
Our attorneys represent survivors abused by caregivers, authority figures, medical professionals, employers, clergy, educators, coaches, and youth-organization staff. This includes childhood sexual abuse, institutional abuse, abuse by doctors and other medical professionals, and abuse occurring in schools. Each case is handled privately and at the survivor's pace. Institutional sexual abuse → · Childhood sexual abuse →
Survivors can generally recover both economic and non-economic damages. These commonly include the cost of therapy and medical care, lost income and earning capacity, and compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving especially egregious or reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. A legal professional can review your losses during a free case review.
California law provides expanded deadlines for sexual abuse survivors, and the applicable window depends on your age and when the abuse occurred. Under the California Child Victims Act (AB 218), childhood sexual abuse survivors generally have until age 40, or five years from discovering that the abuse caused them harm — whichever is later — to file a civil claim (California Code of Civil Procedure §340.1). Because deadlines vary by case, it's best to speak with a legal professional early.
Meet Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. GuestPartner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$4.0M
$3.0M
$2.5M
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Sexual Abuse Claim in Irvine?
You may have a valid civil claim if you were sexually abused and an individual or institution is responsible — even if the abuse happened years or decades ago. California's Child Victims Act (AB 218) reopened and expanded the filing windows for many childhood sexual abuse survivors under California Code of Civil Procedure §340.1, and adult survivors may also have options. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case and focuses on holding abusers and negligent institutions financially accountable. Because deadlines depend on your specific circumstances, contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free, confidential case review.
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17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Sexual Abuse FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
A civil sexual abuse case arising in Irvine would generally fall within Orange County, where such matters are heard through the Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana. Working with attorneys familiar with the local courts can help the process run more smoothly. Your initial conversation is private, wherever your case is filed.
Survivors can generally pursue claims against the individual abuser and any institution whose negligence enabled the abuse. In a city like Irvine, with its many corporate, technology, and higher-education employers, situations can involve managers, coworkers, clients, or authority figures within an organization. An institution may share responsibility when it failed to protect people in its care.
The deadline depends on the survivor's age when the abuse occurred. Childhood sexual assault claims are generally allowed until age 40, or within five years of discovering related psychological injury, while adult sexual assault claims generally allow 10 years from the assault or three years from discovery. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm the one that applies to you promptly.
No. A civil claim is separate from the criminal justice system, so you generally do not need a police report or a criminal conviction to pursue one. Civil cases use a lower standard of proof and focus on accountability and compensation for the survivor. Whether or not law enforcement was involved, your options can be reviewed privately.
Confidentiality is treated as a priority. California procedures can protect a survivor's identity in civil litigation, in many cases through the use of a pseudonym, and your initial case review is private. An attorney can explain the specific privacy protections that may apply to your case.