14 Feb ABKLaw BLOG: NY State Passes Child Victims Act. Learn About Your Rights as a Survivor.
VICTIM OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE WHILE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL OR PUBLIC INSTITUTION IN NEW YORK STATE? DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. LEARN ABOUT THE NEW YORK CHILD VICTIMS ACT.
Today Governor Cuomo signed into law a landmark legislation called the Child Victims Act. This law extends New York’s statute of limitations to file a lawsuit and implement measures to bring previously time-barred claims, giving victims of child sexual abuse a chance to sue their abusers and the institutions that employed or associated with them, including public schools and public institutions, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
What does the Child Victims Act do? Here is the law in a nutshell:
- Extends the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse seeking to file civil lawsuits by allowing victims to sue in civil court up to their 55th birthday.
- Creates a one-time-only one-year retrospective “look-back window” to allow adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file a civil lawsuit, no matter how long ago it occurred, and in essence gives previously time-barred claims a chance to be filed.
- Eliminates the 90-day notice of claim requirement for bringing civil litigation against public institutions, including public schools, government offices and agencies.
- Extends the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse seeking criminal charges, which gives victims more time to come forward after they become adults.
The law will also:
- Require judges to undergo training for cases involving child sex abuse; and
- Give cases a special trial preference so they rapidly move forward in court, recognizing that these victims have often been forced to wait for justice and that some victims have been shut out of the court system completely.
The Time is Now to Assert Your Rights Under the Child Victims Act
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse as a child you may be entitled to significant money damages.The attorneys at Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins PC can help you get your day in court. We can help you navigate the new law, and seek justice for the abuse you experienced as a child. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation. 212-486-0011