New York Expands The Statute Of Limitations For Child Abuse Crimes

New York joins other states in expanding the Statute of Limitations for criminal and civil actions for child abuse crimes. Under the new law, passed on February 14, 2019, child abuse victims have until age 28 to file criminal charges and until age 55 to file civil actions. The Law also permits any victim no matter the age to bring a civil action during a limited one-year period starting in August 2019. Victims whose earlier lawsuits were dismissed for Statute of Limitations reasons may now re-file their case during that one-year period. The Child Victims Act also does away with the notice of claim requirement for suits against a public institution.

For years, this law was vigorously opposed by insurance companies, the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America. Previously, a child abuse victim had until age 23 to take criminal and civil action.

Approximately 1.8 million adolescents in the U.S. have been the victims of sexual assault, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In a majority of sexual abuse cases, the perpetrators are known to the child, some of them being family members.

Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP represents victims of child abuse. Contact us for a free consultation.