If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse, you deserve compassionate legal representation from attorneys who understand the trauma you’ve endured. A sexual abuse lawyer can help you pursue justice and recover compensation for your injuries. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our experienced team represents sexual abuse victims throughout New Jersey, including those in New Brunswick. We work on a no-win-no-fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Sexual Abuse Case
When you’ve experienced sexual abuse, choosing the right attorney matters. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers brings decades of experience handling complex personal injury cases, including sexual abuse claims. Edward P. Capozzi, one of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers‘s founding members, has recovered significant verdicts and settlements in New Jersey from 2012 to 2018. He received the President’s Award from the New Jersey Association for Justice in 2015. He was also inducted into the Personal Injury Hall of Fame by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2014.
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has recovered over $700 million for clients across New Jersey. We have nine named trial attorneys with proven track records of success. Our clients have given us a 4.9-star rating based on more than 5,926 reviews. We maintain multiple office locations throughout New Jersey, including a full office in New Brunswick at 317 George Street, 3rd Floor.
What sets us apart is our approach to representation. We understand that sexual abuse survivors face unique challenges—both emotional and legal. Our experienced attorneys take time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of the legal process. We treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve while fighting aggressively for your rights.
Types of Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle
Sexual abuse takes many forms, and victims may pursue legal action in various contexts. Our New Jersey personal injury lawyers have experience representing survivors of:
- Institutional sexual abuse, including abuse by teachers, coaches, clergy members, and youth organization leaders
- Clergy abuse and cases involving religious institutions
- Workplace sexual abuse and harassment
- Domestic sexual abuse and intimate partner violence
- Childhood sexual abuse and abuse by family members
- Adult sexual abuse and assault
Each case is unique. The circumstances surrounding your abuse will shape your legal strategy. Whether your abuser was a trusted authority figure, an employer, or someone else, we can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Our New Brunswick personal injury lawyer team has handled cases across all these categories.
Understanding New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse
One of the most important factors in a sexual abuse case is timing. New Jersey law sets deadlines for filing claims. Recent legislative changes have expanded the window for victims to seek justice. Understanding these deadlines is critical to protecting your rights.
New Jersey’s statute of limitations for sexual abuse has been significantly reformed. The state’s Victims’ Rights Bill expanded the time frame for survivors to file civil claims. Under the 2019 reforms, childhood sexual abuse survivors can file claims until age 55, or within seven years of discovering the abuse caused their injury (whichever is later). Adult victims generally have seven years from the date of the abuse or its discovery to file a claim. These specific deadlines provide a vital window for justice.
The discovery rule is an important legal principle in sexual abuse cases. This rule allows the statute of limitations to begin when you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) that your injuries resulted from sexual abuse. It begins, rather than when the abuse itself occurred. This is particularly important for survivors who did not immediately recognize the connection between their abuse and their physical or emotional injuries.
Key deadlines and time limits include:
- Adult victims generally have several years from the date of abuse or discovery of injury to file a claim
- Childhood sexual abuse survivors have extended time periods that may extend into adulthood
- The discovery rule may extend deadlines if you did not immediately recognize your injuries were caused by abuse
- Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and witness testimony
Statute of limitations rules are complex and vary based on your specific circumstances. Consulting with an experienced sexual abuse attorney as soon as possible is essential. We can review your situation and explain exactly how much time you have to file your claim.
How Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Helps Sexual Abuse Victims Seek Compensation
Pursuing a sexual abuse claim involves multiple steps. Our attorneys guide you through each one. We handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.
Our process begins with a thorough investigation. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review medical records. We also review other documentation related to your abuse and injuries. We identify all potentially liable parties—not just the person who abused you. We also identify institutions, employers, or organizations that failed to prevent the abuse or protect you from harm. This investigative approach is similar to how we handle workplace accident cases and construction accident claims.
We then work to determine the full extent of your damages. This includes economic losses like medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost wages. It also includes non-economic damages like pain and suffering and emotional distress. We calculate what fair compensation looks like for your specific situation. Our trial attorneys have extensive experience valuing these complex claims.
Next, we negotiate with the responsible parties and their insurance companies. Many cases settle during this phase. The other side recognizes the strength of your claim and the risks of going to trial. We advocate aggressively for a settlement that fully compensates you for your injuries. Our track record of significant settlements and verdicts demonstrates our negotiating power.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we prepare your case for trial. We handle all court filings, discovery, and legal motions. We find expert witnesses when needed to support your claim. We represent you in court and present your case to a judge or jury. We fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Throughout this process, we protect your privacy. We handle sensitive information with care. We understand that discussing your abuse is difficult. We work to minimize the trauma involved in the legal process while still building the strongest possible case.
Institutional Accountability in Sexual Abuse Cases
Many sexual abuse cases involve institutions like schools, churches, and youth organizations. Importantly, New Jersey eliminated the ‘Charitable Immunity’ defense for sexual abuse claims. This means religious institutions and non-profits can no longer use their charitable status to shield themselves from liability for gross negligence. You can pursue claims against not just the individual abuser. Similar to premises liability cases, institutional abuse claims require proving the organization’s negligence.
Institutions can be held accountable through negligence claims. This means proving that the institution owed you a duty of care. It also means proving they breached that duty and caused your injuries as a result. Common negligence theories in institutional abuse cases include negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent retention.
Negligent hiring occurs when an institution fails to conduct adequate background checks. They may also fail to investigate an employee’s history before hiring them. If the institution would have discovered the person’s propensity for abuse through a proper investigation, the institution may be liable for negligence.
Negligent supervision happens when an institution fails to adequately supervise an employee or volunteer. This allows abuse to occur. This might involve failing to implement proper safeguards. It could also mean ignoring warning signs or failing to respond to complaints. Corey A. Dietz, one of our senior trial attorneys, has successfully pursued institutional negligence claims.
Negligent retention occurs when an institution becomes aware of an employee’s abusive behavior. They fail to remove them from a position where they have access to potential victims. If the institution knew or should have known about the risk and kept the person in their position anyway, the institution may be liable.
Additionally, courts may consider whether an institution’s pattern and practice of abuse suggests systemic failures. If multiple victims have come forward, this pattern can strengthen claims against the institution. Our New Brunswick sexual abuse lawyers have experience with these complex institutional cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse Cases in New Jersey
What should I do if I’ve experienced sexual abuse?
Your safety and health come first. If you are in immediate danger, contact law enforcement. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t plan to report the abuse immediately. Medical professionals can document your injuries and provide treatment. When you’re ready, contact an experienced sexual abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options. You have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
How long do I have to file a sexual abuse claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s statute of limitations for sexual abuse has been expanded. This gives survivors more time to seek justice. The specific deadline depends on your situation. Consider when the abuse occurred, your age at the time, and when you discovered your injuries were caused by abuse. The discovery rule may extend your deadline if you did not immediately recognize the connection between your abuse and your injuries. Contact an attorney immediately to learn your specific deadline.
Can I sue an institution for sexual abuse by an employee?
Yes. Institutions can be held liable for abuse committed by their employees or volunteers through negligence claims. You may be able to prove that the institution negligently hired, supervised, or retained the abuser. You might also show that the institution knew about the risk of abuse and failed to protect you. Institutional liability cases can result in significant compensation. Institutions typically have insurance and greater financial resources than individual abusers. Our personal injury lawyers regularly pursue these claims.
What compensation can I recover in a sexual abuse case?
Sexual abuse victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, therapy and counseling costs, lost wages, and costs related to your recovery. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and damage to your relationships. In cases involving egregious conduct, you may also recover punitive damages to punish the defendant. Under New Jersey’s Punitive Damages Act, these are generally capped at the greater of $350,000 or five times the compensatory damages, but they serve as a powerful tool for holding abusers accountable.
Is my case confidential?
Yes. Your privacy is protected throughout the legal process. We handle all communications confidentially. We work to minimize public disclosure of sensitive information about your abuse. Court proceedings may be sealed to protect your privacy. We understand that discussing your abuse is difficult. We take steps to protect your dignity and privacy while still building a strong legal case.
Do I have to go to trial?
No. Many sexual abuse cases settle before trial. Settlement allows you to recover compensation without the stress and uncertainty of a trial. However, if the other side refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial. We will fight for your rights in court and present your case to a judge or jury. Our trial attorneys have extensive courtroom experience.
What if the abuse happened years ago?
New Jersey law recognizes that survivors often do not come forward immediately after abuse. The statute of limitations has been expanded to give survivors more time to seek justice. This applies even if the abuse occurred many years ago. The discovery rule may allow you to file a claim years after the abuse. This applies if you only recently discovered the connection between your injuries and the abuse. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and learn whether you still have time to file a claim.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have experienced sexual abuse, you don’t have to face this alone. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our compassionate, experienced attorneys understand the trauma you’ve endured. We are committed to helping you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case. We work on a no-win-no-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We serve clients throughout New Jersey, including those in New Brunswick and surrounding areas.
Contact us today by calling (973) 364-8300 or filling out our online contact form. Our team is available to answer your questions and help you take the first step toward healing and justice. If your injuries prevent you from visiting our office, one of our attorneys will come to you. We can meet at your home, hospital, or another location of your choice.
You have the right to fight for full and fair compensation. Let Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers help you do it.
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We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
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