Brooklyn School Sexual Abuse Attorneys
The sexual abuse of school children is an event that should never happen. Unfortunately, many sexual predators will use the cover of an institution to carry out heinous crimes against children. Under some circumstances, the organization employing the sexual abuser may even conceal or support the abuser to safeguard their profits instead of the children they are tasked with protecting. If you or your child was a victim of sexual abuse at a school, contact an experienced Brooklyn school sexual abuse attorney.
At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we know how even one instance of sexual abuse can change a victim’s life, and we are here to offer you the legal representation you need to stand against your abuser. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706, or contact us online.
Determining Liability for Sexual Abuse in Brooklyn, NY
It is reasonable for a parent or a child to believe teachers and other employees at a school are not trying to take advantage of children for their illegal sexual actions. However, as mentioned, many sexual abusers may use their position of authority to influence children to engage in sexual acts against their will. That is why it is important to determine whether a sexual abuser acted alone or was aided by the institution that employed them.
There are multiple forms of sexual abuse that a sexual predator may use to control a child. For example, if an abuser forces a child to watch pornography or fondles the genitals of a child, this is a form of sexual abuse. When a sexual abuser engages in these acts, there can be multiple factors that determine who can be held responsible for their actions.
If a sexual predator engages in the abuse of a child outside of a school environment, it can be difficult to show how an institution could have been involved in the actions of a predator. However, acts of sexual abuse that occur within a school environment can make the abuser and their employer liable for their actions.
This form of liability is referred to as vicarious liability. Vicarious liability allows a plaintiff to hold an employer accountable for actions committed by an employee within the scope of their employment. For example, using a position as a member of a school program to discover children to abuse can result in an institution being held liable for sexual abuse.
To learn more about filing a lawsuit as a survivor of sexual abuse, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse attorney today.
When to File a School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
If you were a victim of sexual abuse at a school in Brooklyn, you should speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options for filing a lawsuit. Due to the Child Victims Act (CVA), the statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits has changed substantially. The statute of limitations determines the length of time a plaintiff has to file a particular type of claim.
Before the CVA was passed in the State of New York, survivors of sexual abuse would have from one to five years to file a lawsuit against their abuser. This was not enough time as many survivors of sexual abuse may need years to cope with the effects of sexual abuse before they are ready to face their abuser. In some cases, survivors of sexual abuse may not even believe they were abused until later in life.
After the CVA was passed, survivors of sexual abuse now have until the age of 55 to file a claim against their sexual abuser and the organization that employed their abuser at the time of the abuse. However, if the statute of limitations on a sexual abuse case had already passed, the survivor does not get until the age of 55 to file their claim. Instead, the survivor will have a one-year extension of their lawsuit. This deadline began to run on August 14, 2019. As a result of this extension, hundreds of cases of sexual abuse have already been filed in New York courts.
The CVA allows survivors of abuse to pursue institutions because it is possible their sexual abusers either passed away or could not be located. Allowing a survivor to sue the institution gives them an avenue to pursue compensation for an issue they may struggle with for the rest of their life.
Our Experienced Brooklyn Sexual Abuse Lawyers are Here for You
If you or a family member was sexually abused by an employee of a school, consult with an experienced Brooklyn school sexual abuse lawyer. The legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, possesses several years of combined legal experience, and we are prepared to use this knowledge to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706.