Sexual abuse survivors in Newark deserve compassionate legal representation and fair compensation. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers understands the profound impact that sexual abuse has on survivors and their families. Our sexual abuse lawyer in Newark helps survivors work through New Jersey’s legal system to pursue justice and recover compensation. We provide confidential, supportive legal guidance every step of the way.
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 personal injury claims, including sexual abuse cases. Our team understands the sensitivity of these matters and treats every client with compassion and respect.
We work on a contingency basis. You pay no upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our Newark personal injury lawyers are available to meet with you at our office or at a location convenient for you.
Our attorneys have recovered over $700 million for clients across New Jersey. We combine this track record with a commitment to confidentiality and personalized attention. We listen to your story, answer your questions thoroughly, and keep you informed throughout your case. Visit our results page to see examples of settlements and verdicts we’ve obtained for clients.
If you cannot come to our office, we will come to you. Your free consultation is completely confidential. We’re available to discuss your case at your convenience. Learn more about our team of experienced attorneys who are ready to help.
Understanding Sexual Abuse Claims in New Jersey
Sexual abuse takes many forms. New Jersey law recognizes the right of survivors to pursue civil claims for compensation. A sexual abuse claim is a civil lawsuit separate from any criminal case.
Criminal cases focus on punishing the perpetrator. Civil cases focus on compensating the victim for their injuries and losses. Understanding this distinction is crucial for survivors seeking justice and financial recovery.
You can file a civil sexual abuse claim against the person who harmed you. You can also file against organizations that failed to protect you. Importantly, New Jersey’s 2019 reforms eliminated the ‘Charitable Immunity’ defense for sexual abuse claims. This means religious institutions, non-profits, and schools can no longer use their charitable status to shield themselves from liability for gross negligence.
Many survivors pursue civil claims because they want accountability. They seek compensation for their suffering. They want assurance that the organization will take steps to prevent future abuse. Our personal injury practice has extensive experience holding organizations accountable for their failures.
The New Jersey Child Victims Act and Your Rights
In 2019, New Jersey passed the Child Victims Act (CVA). This law significantly expanded the rights of sexual abuse survivors. It made major changes to how survivors can pursue justice, particularly for abuse that happened years or even decades ago.
The CVA extended the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims. Previously, survivors had limited time to file claims. Now, child victims can file civil lawsuits until age 55, or within seven years of discovering the abuse, whichever is longer. This means many survivors who thought their cases were too old now have the opportunity to pursue claims.
The CVA also created a “look-back window.” This window allowed survivors to file claims for abuse that occurred before the law passed, even if the statute of limitations had previously expired. This window provided a critical opportunity for long-time survivors to finally seek justice. While that initial window has closed, the extended statute of limitations remains in effect for ongoing protection.
For adult survivors, New Jersey law generally allows claims within seven years of the abuse, OR seven years from the date you ‘discovered’ the link between the abuse and your current injuries (whichever is later). This ‘Discovery Rule’ is vital for survivors who repressed memories or did not understand the psychological cause of their trauma until years later. Understanding these timelines is critical—contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers today to ensure you don’t miss your opportunity to file.
Compensation You May Recover
Sexual abuse causes real, measurable harm. New Jersey law recognizes this and allows survivors to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. These include medical and mental health treatment expenses, both past and future. Many survivors require therapy, counseling, or psychiatric care to heal from their trauma. You can recover the costs of this treatment. Learn more about what documents you need for a personal injury case to support your claim for these expenses.
Economic damages also include lost wages if you missed work due to your injuries. They include reduced earning capacity if the abuse affects your ability to work in the future. Similar to other personal injury cases, we calculate these losses carefully to ensure you receive full compensation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for your pain and suffering. This includes emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and the impact abuse has on your relationships and quality of life. These damages recognize that your suffering has real value, even though it doesn’t have a simple dollar amount attached to it. Many survivors benefit from mental health support and therapy as part of their recovery journey.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, New Jersey law also allows punitive damages. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Under the Punitive Damages Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.9), these are generally capped at five times the compensatory damages or $350,000 (whichever is greater). We aggressively pursue these damages to maximize the penalty against the abuser.
Determining Your Compensation
The amount of compensation varies significantly based on the specific facts of your case. Factors include the severity and duration of the abuse, the impact on your life, your age at the time of abuse, and the defendant’s conduct. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers will thoroughly evaluate your case to determine what compensation you may be entitled to recover.
How Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Handles Your Sexual Abuse Case
When you contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, your journey toward justice begins with a free, confidential consultation. During this meeting, you can share your story at your own pace. Our attorneys listen without judgment and answer your questions about your legal options. There is no obligation to hire us.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
If you decide to work with us, we begin a thorough investigation. We gather evidence, review documents, and identify witnesses who can support your claim. We may work with medical experts and mental health professionals to document the impact of the abuse on your life. We determine who is responsible for your injuries and what compensation you deserve. This process is similar to how we handle other personal injury investigations. Understanding what happens during the discovery phase can help you prepare for your case.
Settlement Negotiations
Next, we attempt to resolve your case through negotiation. We present your case to the responsible parties and their insurance companies. We make a strong demand for fair compensation. Many cases settle at this stage when the other side recognizes the strength of your claim and the risks of going to trial. Learn more about how settlements work in New Jersey and what to expect during the process.
Trial Representation
If the other side refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. Our attorneys have the experience and skill to represent you effectively in court. We will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. For more information, see our guide on why some personal injury cases go to trial.
Keeping You Informed
Throughout this entire process, we keep you informed. We answer your questions, explain what’s happening, and make sure you understand your options. We handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims in New Jersey?
For child victims, you can file a claim until age 55, or within seven years of discovering the abuse, whichever is longer. For adult victims, you generally have seven years from the date you discovered that the abuse caused your injuries. The Child Victims Act significantly extended these timelines, giving many survivors the opportunity to pursue claims they thought were too old. If you’re unsure whether your case is still viable, contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Do I have to go to trial in my sexual abuse case?
No. Many sexual abuse cases settle before trial. During settlement negotiations, we present your case to the other side and work toward a resolution that compensates you fairly. Settlement offers you several advantages: it’s faster than trial, it’s more private, and it gives you certainty about the outcome. However, if the other side refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for your rights in court. The decision about whether to settle or go to trial is always yours. For more information, see our guide on why some personal injury cases go to trial.
How much does it cost to hire a sexual abuse lawyer?
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers works on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is completely free and confidential. There is no obligation to hire us. This arrangement ensures that cost is never a barrier to getting the legal representation you deserve. Learn more about contingency fees versus retainers.
Can I sue for sexual abuse that happened years ago?
Yes. New Jersey’s Child Victims Act extended the statute of limitations significantly. Child victims can now file claims until age 55, or within seven years of discovering the abuse. Adult victims have seven years from discovery. Even if you experienced abuse decades ago, you may still have the right to pursue a claim. The best way to know for certain is to contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We can review your situation and tell you whether your case is viable.
What evidence do I need for a sexual abuse claim?
You don’t need to have perfect evidence to pursue a claim. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers will investigate your case and gather the evidence needed to support it. This might include medical records, therapy records, communications with the abuser, witness statements, or testimony from experts. In many cases, your own testimony about what happened is powerful evidence. We will work with you to identify and collect the evidence that supports your claim. See our article on what documents you need for a personal injury case for more details. Additionally, learn about requesting medical records to support your case.
Will my case remain confidential?
Yes. We treat all client information with strict confidentiality. Your case details remain private throughout the legal process. If your case settles, we can often negotiate confidentiality agreements that keep the settlement terms and details of your case private. Even if your case goes to trial, we work to protect your privacy to the extent possible under the law. Your privacy and dignity matter to us.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, you don’t have to face this alone. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is here to help you pursue justice and recover the compensation you deserve. Call (973) 364-8300 today to schedule your free, confidential consultation. Our attorneys are ready to listen to your story and explain your legal options. We serve survivors throughout Newark and all of New Jersey. Let us help you take the first step toward healing and justice.
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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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