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Personal Injury
California Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Were you or a loved one harmed by sexual abuse in California? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys guide survivors statewide through civil claims with confidential, compassionate care. 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.
Civil sexual abuse claims operate independently of the criminal justice system, so a survivor can file a civil case regardless of whether criminal charges were ever brought, investigated, or resulted in a conviction. Civil claims use a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, which is lower than the criminal "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard. California has extended or eliminated the statute of limitations for certain categories of claims, and a legal professional can explain how the law applies during a free, confidential case review.
Wilshire Law Firm represents survivors across a wide range of sexual abuse claims. These commonly include childhood sexual abuse (by family members, coaches, teachers, or clergy), institutional abuse (in schools, religious organizations, youth programs, and foster care), workplace sexual abuse under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, rideshare driver assault involving companies like Uber and Lyft, abuse by medical professionals and caregivers, and misconduct by authority figures. Learn more about childhood sexual abuse claims → or institutional abuse claims →.
The California Child Victims Act, enacted as Assembly Bill 218, expanded survivors' ability to pursue justice for childhood sexual abuse. It removed the standard statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims and created a look-back window that allowed previously time-barred claims to be filed. The law also provides for treble (triple) damages against institutions that engaged in a cover-up, where there is clear and convincing evidence of concealment. Because eligibility depends on the specific facts, a legal professional can review your situation during a free, confidential case review.
Yes — in most cases, an institution that employed, supervised, or harbored an abuser may be held liable in California. This can include schools, churches, youth nonprofits, sports organizations, hospitals, and government agencies. Common liability theories include negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, mandatory reporting violations, and concealment of known abuse. Claims against public institutions generally require following California Government Claims Act procedures, including filing a formal tort claim within strict deadlines, so it's best to speak with a legal professional early. Learn more about school sexual abuse claims →.
The deadline to file generally depends on the survivor's age at the time of the abuse. For adult survivors, California generally allows a three-year window measured from the last act of abuse or from when the survivor discovers the connection between the abuse and a resulting injury. For those who were minors at the time of the abuse, the California Child Victims Act removed the limitations period for childhood sexual abuse claims. Because the rules vary by the nature of the abuse, the survivor's age, and the date of awareness, a legal professional should review your specific timeline.
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 California?
You may have a valid civil sexual abuse claim if three factors are present — abuse, a responsible party, and a timely claim. Abuse means non-consensual sexual conduct that caused you harm. A responsible party can be the abuser and, in many cases, an institution that negligently enabled or concealed the abuse. Timeliness depends on California's statute of limitations, which the California Child Victims Act (AB 218) removed entirely for childhood sexual abuse. Because deadlines and eligibility vary, contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free, confidential case review with a legal professional.
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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 claim is separate from the criminal justice system and seeks accountability and compensation for the survivor rather than criminal punishment. This means a survivor can generally pursue a civil case whether or not criminal charges were ever filed, and civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal ones. The survivor controls the decision to move forward, and consultations are private. If your situation involves trafficking, our sex trafficking lawyer team handles those civil claims as well.
The time limit depends on the survivor's age when the abuse occurred. For childhood sexual assault, California generally allows a claim until the survivor turns 40, or within five years of discovering psychological injury related to the abuse, whichever is later. For adult sexual assault, the window is generally 10 years from the assault or three years from discovering related injury. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly.
Confidentiality is treated as a priority in survivor cases. California procedures can allow a survivor to protect their identity in civil litigation, in many cases by proceeding under a pseudonym such as Jane Doe or John Doe, and your first conversation with an attorney is private. An attorney can explain the specific privacy protections that may apply to your situation.
Yes. An organization that employed, supervised, or enabled an abuser, such as a school, church, youth program, or employer, may be held civilly responsible when its negligence allowed the abuse to happen. These claims often require investigation into what the institution knew and how it responded. Liability depends on the facts of each case.
Survivors can generally seek compensation for the costs of medical and mental health treatment, emotional distress, lost income, and the lasting impact of the abuse on their lives. In some cases involving especially egregious conduct, additional damages may be available. The specific compensation depends on the facts and how the abuse has affected the survivor.