Are you thinking about taking legal action after you or someone close to you experienced sexual abuse in Beverly Hills, California? You might have questions about your rights or what steps to take. You deserve clear answers and full control over what happens next.
A sexual abuse attorney from Dordick Law Corporation can listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you decide what to do. We’re here to support you no matter what you choose. Call our Beverly Hills sexual abuse lawyers today at (310) 551-0949 to get started with your free, confidential consultation session.
How California Law Defines Sexual Abuse
California law defines sexual abuse as any unwanted sexual contact, particularly when it involves force, fear, or power to control another person. In California, the law breaks sexual abuse into two main categories: sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
Sexual assault can include rape, forced touching, incest, non-consensual oral sex, and other actions involving physical contact. It also covers sexual acts involving minors, even if they seem “consensual,” since minors cannot legally consent to sex.
Sexual exploitation involves having a child create child sex abuse material (child pornography) or engaging in sex work or explicit performances. It can also include sharing or downloading images or videos that show child sex abuse.
Who Can File a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Beverly Hills?
Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse can file a civil lawsuit in Beverly Hills. You do not need the police to arrest or charge the person who harmed you. You also do not need a criminal conviction to bring a civil case. Civil and criminal cases follow different rules and serve different goals.
In a criminal case, the government brings charges through a district attorney. A prosecutor decides whether to file charges or move forward with a case, not the police or the survivor. The main goal of a criminal case is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused broke the law. If the court finds the person guilty, the judge may sentence them to jail or prison.
In a civil case, the survivor files the lawsuit, not the government. You can choose whether or not to take action. You do not need proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” like in criminal court. Instead, civil cases only require proof “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is a lower burden of proof. You can sue the person who hurt you and, in some cases, any group that allowed the abuse to happen or tried to hide it. Civil lawsuits aim to hold others responsible and give you the chance to recover compensation for things like therapy bills and emotional distress.
If you experienced sexual abuse as a child or adult, you can file a civil lawsuit to demand accountability and compensation. You have this right even if no one ever got arrested or convicted.
Time Limits for Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The amount of time you have to file a civil sexual abuse lawsuit in California depends on when the abuse happened and whom it involved. Below are the main types of sexual abuse claims and the filing time limits that apply to each.
Claims by Adult Survivors
If you were 18 or older when the abuse occurred, you have 10 years from the last act of sexual assault to sue. You can also sue within 3 years of the date when you first connect the assault to any emotional or physical harm you suffered. You may choose whichever option gives you more time.
Claims Involving Childhood Sexual Assault That Happened Before January 1, 2024
For childhood sexual abuse that happened before 2024, California law gives you until you turn 40 to sue. If you don’t discover the abuse until later, you have five years after discovering the harm caused by the abuse to sue. Whichever deadline comes later applies.
Claims Involving Childhood Sexual Assault That Happened on or After January 1, 2024
There is no time limit for survivors to file civil claims for childhood sexual abuse that happened on or after January 1, 2024. You can sue at any age, no matter how many years have passed.
Revived Claims for Adult Survivors with Expired Claims or Those Involving Cover-Ups
If the abuse happened on or after January 1, 2009, and your filing window has already passed, you can still file your case under AB 2777. This extended filing window is open until December 31, 2026. However, you could also qualify for a revived claim if an institution tried to cover up the abuse, even if the deadline has passed.
What Counts as a Cover-Up in a Sexual Abuse Case?
California laws AB 2777 and AB 452 give survivors specific rights in sexual abuse cases involving institutions that try to cover up sexual abuse. These laws define a “cover-up” as a clear effort to keep the abuse secret. That might include hiding records, pressuring survivors to stay silent, or using nondisclosure agreements.
Cover-ups are regrettably common in some schools, churches, medical clinics, and businesses. If a person or group knew or should have known about sexual abuse and tried to keep it quiet, they could be legally responsible along with the perpetrator(s).
If your case involves a cover-up, you could be entitled to treble damages from a civil sexual assault case. This means you could receive up to three times the amount of money your case is worth.
You do not have to prove a cover-up to file a claim. However, if a cover-up happened, California law gives you specific legal rights and could increase the value of your case.
Compensation Available in Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
If you file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse, you can ask the court for monetary compensation to cover your losses. Compensable losses could include the costs of medical care, counseling, income losses, and pain and suffering related to the abuse.
If someone else helped the perpetrator(s) hide the abuse, California law might allow you to seek up to three times more in compensation.
A sexual abuse lawyer in Beverly Hills can explain how much your case could be worth and what steps come next if you decide to take legal action.
How a Lawyer Can Help Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Beverly Hills
The prospect of taking legal action after suffering sexual abuse can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to approach this alone. A Beverly Hills sexual abuse lawyer can walk you through the process step by step and protect your rights and privacy by:
- Gathering and reviewing any evidence that supports your claim
- Filing your lawsuit within the applicable legal time limit
- Identifying all the people or organizations that could be legally responsible
- Explaining your rights under California’s civil and criminal laws
- Connecting you with support services and mental health professionals
- Keeping your personal information confidential in legal filings
- Speaking to witnesses and preparing them to give statements
- Responding to the other side’s legal arguments and motions
- Helping you complete and file any required certificates or legal forms
- Preparing you for depositions, hearings, or trials
- Negotiating with the other side to try to settle your case
- Taking your case to court if a fair agreement isn’t possible
Contact a Beverly Hills Sexual Abuse Attorney
If you have questions about filing a sexual abuse lawsuit in Beverly Hills, Dordick Law Corporation is here to provide the straightforward answers you need. We can walk you through your legal options and explain what steps will come next if you decide to move forward. Call us now at (310) 551-0949 or contact us online to learn more in a free initial consultation.
