THE FIRM YOU GO TO WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGH
NEW JERSEY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS
Fighting for Sex Abuse Survivors Across New Jersey
If you or someone you love were sexually abused in New Jersey, you may be entitled to compensation.
Under New Jersey law, sexual abuse survivors have the right to recover compensation for their damages by pursuing civil claims against their abusers and/or any entities that failed to protect them. Unfortunately, institutions that face civil sex abuse lawsuits commonly treat them as major reputational and financial threats, and go to great lengths to deny, dispute, and underpay victims.
At Levy Konigsberg, we have decades of experience representing survivors in complex and high stakes sexual abuse lawsuits. Our award-winning trial lawyers have taken on some of the country’s most powerful institutions and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients.
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Filing Civil Suits Against Powerful Institutions
- New Jersey clergy sexual abuse. In recent years, evidence provided by court filings, public payouts, and internal record releases have shown a systemic sexual abuse problem within New Jersey’s Roman Catholic dioceses. In addition to numerous cases of clergy abuse against children, the record also shows that church leadership worked willingly for decades to conceal and cover up known abuse. Now, Levy Konigsberg is helping survivors of New Jersey Catholic church sexual abuse hold the church accountable for their failures.
You may have a potential claim if:
- You were abused by a priest, brother, volunteer, or other member of the Catholic Church at any time in the past.
- The abuse took place in any of the five New Jersey Roman Catholic Dioceses (Diocese of Camden, Diocese of Trenton, Diocese of Paterson, Diocese of Metuchen, or the Archdiocese of Newark).
Learn more about New Jersey Catholic Church sex abuse claims.
- New Jersey juvenile detention centers sexual abuse. Levy Konigsberg has earned national recognition for our work representing former inmates who were sexually abused at jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers across the country.
Now, we’re representing a growing number of survivors who were sexually abused at juvenile detention centers across New Jersey. This includes all secure facilities, residential community homes (RCH), and transitional, substance abuse, and special needs programs currently in operation, as well as facilities and programs that are now closed.
Learn more about New Jersey juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits.
- New Jersey school sexual abuse. In recent years, high-profile cases have raised scrutiny over the risks of child sexual abuse in New Jersey schools and the administrators tasked with protecting students.
Unfortunately, school systems often fail to provide safe environments by neglecting to perform proper background checks on staff, inadequately handling complaints, failing to report suspected abuse to authorities, or taking steps to willfully conceal abuse. This was precisely the case in a recent series of settlements paid by the Pingry School to dozens of survivors who were abused in past decades by former faculty member Thad Alton, and a 2020 case in which a Sussex County school district agreed to pay $980,000 to a former Hopatcong Middle School student who was sexually assaulted by her teacher, Eric Strand.
As a firm with extensive experience fighting for victims of child sexual abuse, Levy Konigsberg can help survivors and families following abuse that occurred in any New Jersey public or private school.
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.
New Jersey Sexual Abuse Attorneys
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations previously imposed a strict deadline for victims of sexual abuse to file claims or seek compensation. However, recognizing the lasting impact of sexual abuse and the obstacles survivors face in pursuing justice, the state enacted the Child Victims Act in 2019. This landmark legislation significantly extended the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse cases. The law provides more opportunities for victims to seek justice and compensation, acknowledging the complexities and challenges associated with reporting and prosecuting sexual abuse.
Under New Jersey law, specifically NJ Stat. § 2A:14-2a, survivors of sexual abuse now have an extended timeframe to pursue legal action. Childhood sexual abuse victims can file civil claims until age 55 or seven years after recognizing the trauma, whichever is later. This allows survivors to seek justice against their abusers and any liable institutions. For those sexually abused as adults (age 18 or older), the deadline to file a civil lawsuit is seven years from the incident of abuse.
Seeking legal guidance is crucial when navigating the complexities of the statute of limitations. Your attorney can review your case, explain the statute of limitations to you, and assist you in determining if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
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.