Langsam Law LLP

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Child Victims Get a One-Year Extension to File Assault Claims

Posted October 12, 2020

Amidst opposition from the Catholic Church and insurance companies, the Child Victims Act sat on the back burner of the New York legislature for 13 years—until it was finally signed into law in 2019. The act gave sexual abuse victims legal recourse, removing all statutes of limitations for civil cases—but only temporarily. The original window to file a suit was set to end August 14, 2020. In May, Governor Cuomo extended that window to January 2021, and on August 3, due to hardships imposed by COVID-19, he issued a further extension to August 14, 2021.

More than 3,000 sexual assault victims have come forward, filing suits against abusers as well as the school districts, churches, youth organizations, and cultural institutions who employed and enabled them. This opens up some potentially deep pockets to victims, allowing them the opportunity for financial compensation for their pain and suffering.

If you or someone you know was sexually assaulted as a child, give us a call at 212-742-2700 today for a confidential conversation. Despite the extension, victims must seek legal counsel as soon as possible in order to give ample time for investigation and preparation for the case.

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