THE FIRM YOU GO TO WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGH
MICHIGAN SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS
Fighting for Survivors in Civil Sex Abuse Claims
If you or someone you love were sexually abused in Michigan, you may have grounds to seek financial compensation from your abuser and/or any entities that failed to prevent the abuse.
At Levy Konigsberg, we devote a large portion of our practice to helping sexual abuse survivors in the fight for justice. Comprised of award-winning attorneys, we’ve earned national recognition litigating high stakes sexual abuse claims against the Catholic Church, public and private prison systems, and other powerful institutions that failed to protect victims or worked to willfully conceal abuse within their ranks.
Now, we’re leveraging our experience and resources to fight for survivors across Michigan.
Were you sexually abused?
Filing Civil Suits Against Powerful Institutions
- Michigan clergy sexual abuse. As a firm with extensive experience litigating sexual abuse claims against Catholic dioceses nationwide, Levy Konigsberg is using our insight to investigate claims from survivors who were sexually abused in Catholic churches, Catholic schools, and other Catholic-affiliated programs across Michigan. As sweeping investigations have shown, Michigan’s Catholic dioceses have struggled to contain a pervasive sexual abuse problem that dates back decades. These investigations, which include reports from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, detail numerous allegations of child sexual abuse in all seven of the state’s Roman Catholic dioceses, as well as alarming revelations about how church leadership routinely worked to conceal abuse, protect accused priests, and keep survivors silent.
- Michigan juvenile detention centers sexual abuse. Levy Konigsberg has received national attention fighting on behalf of survivors who were sexually abused while incarcerated in juvenile detention facilities across the U.S. Now, we’re working with a growing number of survivors who were sexually abused in Michigan juvenile detention centers. This includes the Shawono Center in Grayland and Maxey Training School in Whitmore Lake, which were identified by the U.S. DOJ as having some of the highest reported rates of juvenile detention facility sexual victimization the nation.
- Michigan schools sexual abuse. Levy Konigsberg has litigated high profile cases against public schools, private schools, and colleges nationwide that failed to protect students from sexual abuse and is actively investigating claims from survivors who were abused in Michigan schools and universities. As years of documented civil, criminal, and administrative cases show, schools across the state have been embroiled in various sexual abuse scandals. Some of these matters have illustrated the immense dangers of negligent hiring and failures to supervise, while others have revealed patterns of cover-ups and concealment.Some examples of sexual abuse cases that have been successfully litigated against Michigan schools include:
- In January 2024, an investigation is underway into allegations that a State of Michigan employee sexually assaulted a minor at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. Following the discovery, all state employees have been removed from the facility, and the accused employee has been arrested on charges of criminal sexual conduct and child abuse. This incident adds to a series of problems at the troubled juvenile detention facility, including overcrowding, understaffing, and previous allegations of sexual assault, prompting the county to take action and ensure the safety of the youth in its care.
- In January 2022, the University of Michigan agreed to a $490 million settlement to compensate over 1,000 survivors who were sexually abused by former sports doctor Robert Anderson, who abused student athletes during routine examinations. Anderson worked at the university for nearly four decades (1966 to 2003) and served as a physician for multiple athletic teams, including football. An independent investigation found that the university missed many opportunities to stop Anderson during his 37-year career.
- In March 2019, Byron Center Public Schools paid $400,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former student who was sexually assaulted by former basketball and math coach Glenn Davis. The suit claims that school officials failed to investigate reports of Davis’s improper relationships with students and failed to prevent the ongoing abuse. Davis pleaded guilty to criminal charges and was sentenced to 10 to 40 years in prison.
- In July 2019, the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency agreed to pay $450,000 to two teachers who were sexually assaulted by former Hillsdale Learning and Behavior Center principal Jonathan Garcia. Garcia was charged in 2016 and later sentenced to prison.
- In May 2018, Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims brought by more than 300 women and girls who were sexually assaulted by Dr. Larry Nassar, who also served as a physician for USA Gymnastics. The university was accused of dismissing or ignoring complaints about Nassar as far back as the 1990s. Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison in December 2017 and an additional 80-300 years in Michigan State Prison in 2018.
- In June 2015, Forest Hills Public Schools paid $600,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a student who was sexually assaulted by a classmate in 2010. The suit alleged that the district failed to protect the victim from harassment and sided with the suspect, who was a star basketball player.
- In 2014, Beecher Community Schools agreed to pay three separate six-figure settlements to three students who were sexually abused by Eugene Pratt, a former principal of adult and alternative education.
Full-Service Support for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Levy Konigsberg leverages extensive experience in the sex abuse litigation field to advocate for survivors in civil legal actions against entities that are overwhelmingly more interested in protecting their reputations and doing right by those they’ve harmed.
We take a personalized approach to guiding survivors through the civil justice system and have the resources to take on claims of all types.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Michigan Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Under Michigan law, a person who was the victim of a sex crime may be entitled to file a civil lawsuit for financial compensation. A sexual abuse case must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is the timeframe within which a survivor can file a civil lawsuit. Under Michigan law, survivors sexually assaulted under the age of 18 may have until age 28 to file a lawsuit. To understand the statute of limitations for your case, it's essential to consult with an experienced lawyer. At Levy Konigsberg, our attorneys specialize in handling both childhood sexual abuse cases and adult sexual abuse cases. We can assess the merits of your potential case and determine how the Michigan statute of limitations specifically applies to the facts of your case.
We Represent Survivors in All Types of Sex Abuse Claims
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.