Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits in Florida
A Resource for Survivors Seeking Answers, Accountability, and Justice
Sexual abuse and sexual assault are devastating
experiences that can have lifelong emotional, physical, and financial consequences. While criminal prosecution is often the first type of legal action considered, many survivors are unaware that civil lawsuits can offer a separate path to justice.
How common is sexual abuse in the United States?
Sexual abuse is far more prevalent than many people realize. National studies consistently show that sexual violence is also frequently underreported. It can affect anyone, from any age group, profession, and community. Additionally, studies have shown that abuse is far more likely to occur at the hands of a familiar individual, rather than a stranger.
Long-term studies report 54.3% of women and 31% of men reported some form of sexual violence in their lifetime, with the majority of survivors experiencing abuse before the age of 35.
A significant percentage of survivors choose to not engage the criminal justice system, meaning that of the hundreds of thousands of sexual assaults that happen each year, most go unreported. Despite how common sexual abuse is, it is among the least reported and least successfully prosecuted violent crimes in the country.
Why are sexual assaults so rarely reported?
Many survivors have to weigh the personal cost of coming forward against the reality that the criminal process can be invasive and stressful. Common reasons survivors choose not to report include:
- Fear of retaliation
- Fear of not being believed (or being blamed)
- Shame
- Self-blame
- Concern about “getting the offender in trouble,” especially when the offender is someone they know
Even when victims do report a sexual assault, convictions remain disturbingly rare. The nation’s largest anti–sexual violence organization (RAINN) summarizes U.S. Department of Justice data showing that, for every 1,000 sexual assaults, approximately:
- 310 are reported to police
- 50 lead to an arrest
- 28 lead to felony prosecution
- 7 result in a felony conviction
Along with the person impact of pursuing a legal case, these numbers may help to explain why so many survivors have little faith in the criminal justice system.
Where Are People Vulnerable to Sexual Assault?
Sexual abuse often occurs in structured environments, rather than random, unsafe areas. Settings that are typically viewed as safe can turn dangerous, especially when one person has authority or control over another and adequate safeguards are lacking.
Sexual abuse frequently occurs in:
- Healthcare and medical settings
- Massage therapy and spa environments
- Educational institutions and training programs
- Religious organizations
- Hotels, resorts, and hospitality venues
- Athletic programs and coaching environments
- Residential care or assisted-living facilities
- Correctional or institutional settings
In many of these cases, abuse is not only about individual misconduct but also about organizational failure: inadequate supervision, ignored complaints, or inappropriate safety protocols.
Request a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one are a survivor of sexual abuse, you may have a civil case.
What Should Someone Do After Sexual Abuse or Sexual Assault?
There is no single path forward after abuse. Survivors should move at their own pace while prioritizing their well-being. This can include:
- Reaching out to a trusted person
- Seeking medical treatment
- Seeking therapeutic support and care
If pursuing legal action, it can be beneficial to:
- Learn about legal options
- Preserve communications or records
- Document details when safe to do so
- Keep medical records
Florida law allows survivors to pursue civil claims subject to statutes of limitations that vary based on:
- Age at the time of abuse
- Type of claim
- Identity of defendants
- When the harm was discovered
Florida claims may be brought against:
- Individual perpetrators
- Employers or institutions
- Negligent supervisors or property owners
Because deadlines and legal standards are complex, early legal guidance can be important.
What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Sexual Abuse Case and a Civil Lawsuit?
Understanding the difference between criminal and civil cases helps survivors make informed decisions. These two systems serve different purposes and operate under different rules.
Other key points about civil lawsuits:
- Cases can proceed even if no criminal charges were filed
- Survivors retain control over whether to pursue the case and whether to settle
- Claims be brought against institutions, as well as individuals
- Lawsuits provide compensation needed for medical treatment, therapy, lost income, etc.
- Can provide accountability beyond incarceration
Criminal cases and civil cases serve different purposes. A civil lawsuit may offer survivors additional options, including more control over the process, the ability to pursue financial compensation, and accountability for those who enabled or failed to prevent harm.
Can Institutions Be Held Responsible for Sexual Abuse?
Civil sexual abuse lawsuits often focus on institutional responsibility rather than individual perpetrators alone. This approach can be particularly important when abuse occurs in professional or controlled environments. Organizatios may be held liable when they:
- Fail to properly screen or background-check staff
- Ignore prior complaints or warning signs
- Allow unsupervised access to vulnerable individuals
- Fail to train employees on safety protocols
- Prioritize reputation over safety
What Compensation Is Available in a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Florida law allows survivors to seek compensation for financial losses and personal harm. In some cases, “punitive damages,” meant to punish especially harmful conduct, can be pursued as well. This is designed to reflect the various impacts of the abuse and provide a resolution beyond incarceration of the offender.
Economic damages compensate survivors for measurable financial losses, including:
- Medical treatment
- Psychological counseling and therapy
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Future care expenses
Non-economic damages address the human impact of abuse, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other resulting conditions
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases involving intentional misconduct or institutional disregard for safety, punitive damages may be awarded to:
- Punish especially reckless conduct
- Deter similar conduct in the future
- Hold institutions accountable when profit and reputation are prioritized over safety
High-Profile Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Civil courts have produced significant outcomes in high-profile sexual abuse cases. Examples include:
- USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University, and Larry Nassar: survivors of abuse by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar pursued major civil claims against his longtime employers, along with criminal claims against Nassar himself. In 2018, Michigan State University announced a global civil settlement in principle totaling $500 million to resolve claims by hundreds of survivors. Additionally, in 2021, survivors also reached a $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The settlement, totaling $380 million, brought total compensation from those major settlements to roughly $880 million. Civil cases can impose massive financial accountability on institutions that failed to prevent or stop abuse while also providing for the survivors.
- James Toback: In April 2025, a New York jury awarded $1.68 billion to 40 women who accused writer/director James Toback of sexual abuse and related misconduct spanning the decades between 1979 and 2014. The lawsuit was brought under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily reopened a window for adults to file civil claims that might otherwise have been time-barred. The court entered a default judgment after Toback failed to appear, so the proceeding focused on determining damages; the award included about $280 million in compensatory damages and roughly $1.4 billion in punitive damages. Importantly, a verdict is not the same as a payout. Even after a judgment, you may need to take steps to locate assets and enforce collection. An experienced legal team can handle those steps for you.
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Civil lawsuits against Catholic dioceses have produced some of the largest institutional sexual-abuse resolutions in U.S. history. In 2007, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a $660 million settlement with more than 500 survivors of clergy sexual abuse. More recently, the Archdiocese of LA agreed to an $880 million settlement with 1,353 survivors, driven in part by California laws that temporarily reopened the statute of limitations for older claims. Even decades after abuse occurs, civil litigation can be a way to seek large-scale accountability.
How Can Schlesinger Law Offices Help Survivors of Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse lawsuits are not just about compensation. They are about accountability, survivor safety, and preventing future harm. Schlesinger Law Offices represents survivors with trauma-informed support and guidance. Our attorneys have pursued claims against institutions that failed to protect those in their care.
Schlesinger Law Offices provides:
- Confidential case evaluations
- Careful handling of sensitive evidence
- Aggressive advocacy when negligence occurred
- Survivor-centered legal strategy
For survivors seeking answers, understanding civil legal options can be a meaningful first step, whether or not a lawsuit is ultimately filed. Contact us today for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse & Sexual Assault Lawsuits
Can I file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse if no criminal charges were ever filed?
Yes. A civil sexual abuse lawsuit is completely independent from any criminal case. You do not need an arrest, prosecution, or conviction to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors file civil cases precisely because criminal charges were never brought or could not be proven under the criminal standard.
When is it too late to take legal action in Florida?
Florida’s statutes of limitations for sexual abuse claims vary depending on the survivor’s age at the time of the abuse, the type of claim, and the defendant involved. A legal review is often necessary to determine whether a claim is still viable.
Is it possible to sue a business or organization instead of the individual abuser?
Yes. Many sexual abuse lawsuits focus on institutional responsibility. Businesses and organizations may be held liable if they failed to properly screen, supervise, train employees or if they ignored warning signs or prior complaints that resulted in harm.
Do civil sexual abuse cases always go to trial?
No. Most civil sexual abuse cases resolve through confidential settlements. However, some cases do proceed to trial when defendants refuse to accept responsibility or accountability. The survivor retains control over whether to settle or continue litigating.
What kind of evidence is used in a civil sexual abuse case?
Evidence may include survivor testimony, medical records, therapy records, internal organizational documents, prior complaints, witness statements, digital communications, and expert testimony.
Will my identity be public if I file a sexual abuse lawsuit?
In many cases, courts allow survivors to file under a pseudonym or seek protective orders to limit public disclosure.
How long does a sexual abuse lawsuit usually take?
The timeline varies widely. Some cases resolve in months through settlement, while others may take one to two years or longer, particularly if the case involves multiple defendants or extensive research.
Can a civil lawsuit move forward if the abuser denies the allegations?
Yes. Denial by a defendant does not prevent a civil case from proceeding. Civil courts exist to evaluate evidence and credibility under a lower burden of proof than criminal courts.
What role does an attorney play in a sexual abuse civil case?
An attorney investigates the case, identifies responsible parties, manages evidence and discovery, negotiates with defendants, and advocates for the survivor’s interests while prioritizing safety and privacy.
Can civil lawsuits help prevent future abuse?
Yes. Civil cases often lead to policy changes, improved safeguards, training requirements, and public accountability that help protect others from harm.
Where can survivors find immediate support outside the legal system?
Support resources may include crisis hotlines, counseling services, survivor advocacy organizations, and trusted personal support networks. Legal action is only one part of a broader recovery process.