If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, you have legal rights. Survivors of sexual abuse can pursue civil claims to recover compensation for medical expenses, psychological treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our attorneys understand the trauma survivors face. Our sexual abuse lawyers in Clifton, NJ, provide compassionate, confidential legal representation to help you seek justice and healing. Contact us today!

Why Survivors Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Sexual Abuse Cases

Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has represented injury victims for over 50 years, recovering more than $535 million in settlements and verdicts across all practice areas. Our team brings extensive experience handling serious personal injury cases, including those involving catastrophic trauma and complex liability issues.

Our approach to sexual abuse cases is trauma-informed and compassionate. We recognize the profound impact sexual abuse has on survivors and their families. We handle every case with sensitivity, protecting your privacy throughout the legal process while aggressively pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Our Credentials

Our attorneys include certified civil trial advocates recognized by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Edward P. Capozzi, Chair of our Personal Injury Department, has been named a Super Lawyer since 2011 and was recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2026. Alex S. Capozzi, a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 honoree, brings proven trial experience to complex cases. Our team has achieved multi-million dollar recoveries in serious injury matters, demonstrating our ability to secure substantial compensation for survivors.

We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we win your case. All consultations are free and confidential. We are available 24/7 to discuss your situation and answer your questions.

Understanding Sexual Abuse and Your Legal Rights in New Jersey

Sexual abuse encompasses a range of unwanted sexual contact and assault. In the civil legal system, sexual abuse claims differ from criminal prosecution. Criminal cases prosecute the abuser for crimes. Civil lawsuits allow survivors to recover monetary damages from the perpetrator and other liable parties.

You do not need a criminal conviction to file a civil sexual abuse claim. Many survivors pursue civil cases independently or after criminal proceedings conclude. The civil system focuses on compensating you for your injuries and losses. It also holds accountable those who failed to protect you.

Types of Sexual Abuse Claims We Handle in Clifton

Our firm handles sexual abuse claims across multiple contexts and settings:

Institutional Abuse

Schools, youth organizations, religious institutions, and daycare facilities have a duty to protect children and vulnerable individuals. When institutions fail to conduct background checks, implement safety protocols, or respond to reports of abuse, survivors can hold them accountable through civil litigation. These cases often involve complex institutional negligence and require thorough investigation of hiring practices and safety protocols.

Premises Liability Sexual Assault

Property owners and managers have a duty to provide reasonable security. Premises liability cases involving sexual assault hold hotels, bars, nightclubs, apartment complexes, and other commercial properties accountable when security is inadequate. When assault occurs due to negligent security, owners may be liable for damages. We investigate security failures, inadequate lighting, lack of surveillance, and insufficient staff.

Workplace Sexual Assault and Harassment

Employers must maintain safe workplaces free from sexual harassment and assault. When employers fail to prevent harassment, respond to complaints, or enable abusive conduct, survivors can pursue claims against both the employer and the harasser. We hold employers accountable for creating hostile work environments through workers’ compensation claims.

Rideshare Sexual Assault

Uber and Lyft drivers have been involved in sexual assaults against passengers. These companies have a duty to screen rideshare drivers, implement safety features, and respond to reports of misconduct. We pursue rideshare sexual assault claims against rideshare companies for inadequate driver screening and safety protocols.

Nursing Home and Assisted Living Abuse

Elderly residents in care facilities are vulnerable to sexual abuse by staff and other residents. Facilities must implement security measures and supervision to prevent abuse. We investigate nursing home abuse cases involving staffing levels, background checks, and failure to report incidents.

Daycare and Youth Sports Abuse

Children in daycare, schools, and youth sports programs deserve protection from abuse. Organizations must conduct background checks, implement reporting procedures, and respond to concerns. We hold these institutions accountable for negligent hiring and supervision.

Duty to Protect Failures

Property owners and institutions may be liable when they knew or should have known of dangerous conditions or individuals but failed to take protective action. This creates a duty to warn and protect vulnerable individuals from foreseeable harm.

Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse in New Jersey

Understanding the statute of limitations is critical for protecting your legal rights. New Jersey has extended timelines for sexual abuse claims, recognizing that survivors often need time to process trauma before pursuing legal action.

• For adult survivors: You have seven years from the date you discover or reasonably should have discovered the injury caused by the abuse to file a claim. This discovery rule recognizes that trauma can delay recognition of injury. The statute of limitations may not begin until you recognize the injury, not when the abuse occurred.
• For childhood sexual abuse: Claims can be filed until the survivor’s 55th birthday, OR seven years from the date of discovery of the injury. This extended timeline acknowledges that child abuse survivors often don’t recognize the full impact of abuse until adulthood. The New Jersey Child Victims Act (NJCVA) provides these extended protections.

The discovery rule is particularly important. Many survivors don’t immediately recognize the connection between their abuse and resulting psychological or physical injuries. The statute of limitations may not begin until you recognize the injury, not when the abuse occurred. This is why acting quickly to consult with an attorney is essential.

Acting quickly is important to preserve evidence and witness testimony. Contact our office immediately to discuss your situation and protect your legal rights. Time is critical in these cases.

Compensation Available in Sexual Abuse Cases

Survivors of sexual abuse can recover compensation for multiple categories of damages:

• Medical and Psychological Treatment Expenses: Survivors often require ongoing therapy, counseling, psychiatric care, and medical treatment. Compensation covers past and future treatment bills and costs necessary for recovery. This includes specialized trauma therapy and long-term mental health care.
• Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity: Abuse can prevent survivors from working or reduce their earning capacity. Compensation includes wages lost during recovery and reduced future earning potential. We calculate lifetime earning losses based on expert economic analysis.
• Pain and Suffering Damages: These damages compensate for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological injuries resulting from abuse. These non-economic damages recognize the profound impact on quality of life.
• Emotional Distress and Trauma Recovery Costs: Beyond traditional medical expenses, survivors may require specialized trauma treatment, support groups, and recovery services. We ensure compensation covers all aspects of recovery.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. These damages go beyond compensating the victim to hold wrongdoers accountable.
• Lifetime Care Costs: For survivors with severe, permanent injuries, compensation may include costs for ongoing care and support throughout their lifetime. We work with life care planners to calculate these costs accurately.

Damages are calculated based on the specific circumstances of your case, the severity of injuries, the defendant’s conduct, and the impact on your life. Additionally, statutory limitations on compensatory, economic and non-economic, and punitive damages caps at $350,000. Our attorneys work with medical and psychological experts to document your injuries and calculate appropriate compensation. We also consider how the abuse has affected your ability to work and earn income.

How We Investigate and Build Your Sexual Abuse Case

Building a strong sexual abuse case requires thorough investigation and strategic planning. Our process includes:

• Gathering Evidence and Documentation: We collect medical records, psychological evaluations, police reports, witness accounts, institutional records, security footage, and communications documenting the abuse and its impact. We preserve all evidence and work with forensic experts when necessary.
• Identifying Liable Parties: We investigate not only the perpetrator but also property owners, institutions, employers, and third parties who failed to protect you. Multiple defendants may share liability. We conduct thorough background checks and institutional audits.
• Expert Witness Testimony: We work with medical doctors, psychologists, and institutional negligence experts to establish the connection between abuse and your injuries and to demonstrate how defendants failed in their duty to protect. Expert testimony is critical in proving damages and liability.
• Establishing Duty of Care and Breach: We prove that defendants owed you a duty of care and breached that duty through negligent or intentional actions. This requires detailed analysis of applicable legal standards and institutional policies.
• Proving Foreseeability of Harm: We demonstrate that the abuse was foreseeable and that defendants should have taken steps to prevent it. Foreseeability is a key element in premises liability and institutional negligence cases.
• Negotiating Settlements or Preparing for Trial: Most cases settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Our certified trial attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and are prepared to advocate for you before a jury if necessary. We understand mediation processes and settlement negotiations.
• Protecting Your Privacy: We handle your case with complete confidentiality, protecting your privacy throughout the legal process. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and maintain strict confidentiality.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Today

If you have experienced sexual abuse in Clifton or elsewhere in New Jersey, you deserve compassionate legal representation and fair compensation. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is here to help.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer your questions. Call (973) 364-8300 or submit a confidential case evaluation form online. There is no fee unless we win your case and get the compensation you deserve.

You are not alone. Let our law firm help you seek justice and begin your path to healing. Learn more about our Clifton personal injury lawyer services and how we can assist you.