New York Sexual Abuse Lawyer

It can take years to process the pain and trauma caused by sexual abuse. A recent New York law lifted the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits filed by survivors who were abused as adults, allowing them to take action regardless of when the abuse took place. 

At Sokolove Law, we are committed to supporting survivors of abuse and working to hold those who caused them harm accountable. If you are looking to take steps toward closure and healing, we are here to help.

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New York Extends Statute of Limitations on Assault Cases

Survivors of sexual abuse may be able to file a civil lawsuit against both the individual who harmed them and any institution that enabled the abuse or failed to stop it, like schools, churches, hospitals, and youth groups.

New York lawmakers have recognized that many survivors need time to process their trauma and may not be ready to come forward right away. As a result, they’ve passed laws that give survivors more time to seek justice.

Recent New York sexual abuse laws, including the Child Victims Act of 2019 and the Adult Survivors Act of 2022, extended or temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for filing sexual abuse lawsuits.

Additionally, New York has extended the time limit for filing civil lawsuits related to new cases of adult sexual abuse that occurred after 2019, giving them up to 20 years to take legal action.

Whether you were harmed by a clergy member, medical professional, teacher, coach, or someone else, you may have the right to file a lawsuit — and our team is here to help you every step of the way.

New York Child Victims Act of 2019

The Child Victims Act (CVA) was signed into law on February 14, 2019. It marked a turning point for survivors of childhood sexual abuse throughout New York.

The CVA allows anyone who was sexually abused as a child to file a civil lawsuit until they turn 55 years old — regardless of how many years have passed since the abuse occurred.

By giving survivors more time, the CVA acknowledges how long it can take for a child to grow up, understand what happened to them, and feel ready to come forward.

This law created an opportunity for thousands of survivors who had previously been shut out of the legal system due to expired statutes of limitations. Many individuals have been able to finally share their stories and pursue long-overdue justice.

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We may be able to help you file a sexual assault lawsuit and fight for the compensation you deserve. Get started now with a free case review.

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Where Does Sexual Abuse Occur?

Many abusers commit assaults in spaces where they feel in control and less likely to be held accountable for their behavior. These beliefs are often reinforced by the power and protection granted to them by the institution they belong to.

Sexual abuse can occur in a wide range of both private and public settings, including:

  • Churches
  • Community programs
  • Film companies, record labels, and other high-profile organizations
  • Foster care
  • Hospitals
  • Schools and universities
  • Spas or resorts
  • And more

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to hold institutions and organizations like these accountable for their role in your abuse.

Record labels, media companies, and Wall Street employers are just a few of the groups that have been named in New York sexual abuse lawsuits since the Adult Survivors Act was signed into law.

If you experienced sexual abuse, you are not alone. If you choose to take legal action against the institution or individual that caused you harm, our team is here to support you and fight on your behalf.

New York Archdiocese

The New York Archdiocese, which encompasses Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and parts of Westchester and Rockland counties, has faced significant allegations of sexual abuse within their parishes.

Over 600 survivors have come forward to share their experiences of abuse by trusted church leaders, including priests and deacons.

In response, the Archdiocese created the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, which has paid out millions to survivors. They also released a list of 120 clergy members accused of abusing minors.

As of 2024, the New York Archdiocese is also under investigation by Attorney General Letitia James regarding their handling of clergy sex abuse claims.

Beth Israel Medical Center

Between 2001 and 2014, Dr. Ricardo Cruciani worked as a neurologist at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan. During this time, he reportedly sexually assaulted multiple patients suffering from chronic pain.

At least six of these former patients were part of the criminal case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. In 2022, a New York State Supreme Court jury found Cruciani guilty on 12 counts, including predatory sexual assault and rape.

Lawsuits allege staff at Beth Israel knew Cruciani was an abuser, but they didn’t report him or prevent him from being alone with patients. He continued harming women for over a decade.

Brooklyn Diocese

Hundreds of survivors have accused clergy members affiliated with the Brooklyn Diocese of sexual abuse.

The abuse spanned several decades and reportedly involved a wide range of settings, including church buildings and Catholic schools operated by the Diocese.

In 2018, the Diocese agreed to a $27.5 Million clergy sex abuse settlement after a religion teacher at a church-affiliated school assaulted four boys.

If you or a loved one experienced clergy sexual abuse, you may be able to seek justice by taking legal action against the institution that failed to protect you from abuse.

Buffalo Diocese

In recent years, the Diocese of Buffalo has faced hundreds of lawsuits accusing clergy members of sexual abuse. In many cases, church officials allegedly knew about the abuse but covered it up.

These lawsuits eventually led the Diocese to file for bankruptcy. However, in 2025, they reached a $150 Million settlement to resolve over 800 claims of abuse.

While the settlement hasn’t received final court approval yet, attorneys remain hopeful it will offer a measure of justice for survivors.

Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if you may be able to seek compensation from a New York sexual assault lawsuit. It costs nothing to speak with us.

Columbia University Medical Center

Dr. Robert Hadden worked as an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) at Columbia University Medical Center for around 25 years.

However, hundreds of former patients have since accused him of sexual abuse. Many allege that Hadden used routine medical procedures, like breast and vaginal exams, as a cover for inappropriate conduct.

Despite multiple complaints and even an arrest for sexually abusing a patient, Columbia reportedly allowed Hadden to continue treating women at the hospital.

In May 2025, Columbia agreed to a $750 Million settlement to resolve more than 500 sexual abuse claims. This reportedly brought the university's total settlements related to Dr. Hadden's misconduct to over $1 Billion.

Mike Jeffries, Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO

Mike Jeffries was the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014. In 2024, he was arrested for sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

Lawsuits claim Jeffries and his associates lured young men to New York and other areas of the world for modeling opportunities. Upon arrival, however, the men were forced to engage in sex acts instead.

Some of the abuse reportedly took place at Jeffries’ home in the Hamptons after multiple men were flown in for so-called casting sessions.

Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center

Sanjai Syamaprasad, a former employee at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center on Long Island, is accused of secretly recording hundreds of individuals at the sleep center and the connected STARS Rehabilitation facility.

Syamaprasad allegedly hid cameras disguised as smoke detectors in bathrooms and filmed hundreds of coworkers and patients without consent. He removed these devices between his shifts to download the footage.

The Nassau County District Attorney has charged Syamaprasad with 5 counts of unlawful surveillance and 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence for reportedly attempting to destroy cameras and memory cards before his arrest.

Rockefeller University Hospital

Dr. Reginald Archibald, a former pediatric endocrinologist at Rockefeller University Hospital in New York, has been accused of sexually assaulting patients during exams. He worked at the hospital from the 1940s until his retirement in 1982.

The hospital received multiple complaints about Dr. Archibald’s behavior as early as the 1990s. However, a full investigation into his actions wasn’t conducted until 2018, over a decade after he had already passed away.

Once the hospital notified patients about their findings, hundreds of survivors came forward. Attorneys now estimate over 1,000 children may have experienced medical sexual assault by Dr. Archibald at Rockefeller University Hospital.

The Alexander Brothers

New York and Miami luxury real estate agents Tal and Oren Alexander, as well as their brother Alon Alexander, have been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women.

The Alexander brothers allegedly used their wealth and social status to lure women to isolated areas before attacking them. In some cases, the assaults were planned in advance, and the men targeted women through dating apps or social media.

They are currently being held without bond in a Brooklyn jail as they await trial for federal charges linked to sex trafficking.

Who Can File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in New York?

Under the New York Adult Survivors Act, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse in New York if you are a survivor of sexual abuse that occurred when you were over the age of 18.

Abusers who caused harm decades ago may have since passed away, but this does not prevent survivors from filing a lawsuit.

Even if your abuser is deceased, you may still be able to take legal action against their estate or any institution that enabled or covered up your abuse.

Whether or not someone’s actions meet the legal definition of sexual abuse can be confusing, especially if the abuse happened decades ago.

At Sokolove Law, we have male and female case managers on staff who can help you make sense of what happened.

Choosing a New York Sexual Abuse Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual abuse, a lawyer can help you fight for justice and compensation.

At Sokolove Law, our experienced New York sexual abuse attorneys can handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health and well-being.

Our sexual abuse lawyers may be able to: 

  • Advocate for victims of sexual assault and abuse
  • Provide guidance through the legal process, so survivors can focus on their healing
  • File a civil lawsuit on behalf of sexual abuse survivors
  • Pursue compensation that can aid survivors and their families in finding closure

We believe that your story can help in the battle to end sexual abuse, and we're here to help if you choose to take legal action.

Get Help Filing a New York Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Sokolove Law has fought to amplify the voices of survivors in the justice system for over 45 years, and we are committed to helping people impacted by sexual abuse seek closure and accountability.

Our New York abuse attorneys understand that it can take years to process trauma. We're prepared to stand by your side throughout the entire legal process.

Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to speak with a member of our team today. We are compassionate toward survivors and relentless in our pursuit of compensation on their behalf.

New York City Sexual Abuse Lawsuits FAQs

What is the statute of limitations on sexual abuse in New York?

In 2019, the statute of limitations on adult sexual abuse claims in New York was extended to 20 years from the date of the abuse.

Survivors who were abused before 2019 may still be able to take legal action depending on the details of their case, especially if they were minors when the abuse occurred.

Contact us now to find out more about the options that may be available to you.

What is the New York Adult Survivors Act?

The New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA) was a one-time law that gave adult survivors of sexual abuse a chance to file civil lawsuits, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. This “lookback window” lasted from November 2022 to November 2023.

Under the ASA, over 3,000 survivors took legal action against individuals and institutions. Although the window has now closed, this law marked a major step forward in acknowledging past abuse and empowering survivors.

What is the New York Child Victims Act?

The New York Child Victims Act of 2019 extended the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, giving them more time to file lawsuits against individuals who committed the abuse and institutions that failed to prevent it.

Under this law, anyone who was sexually abused as a child in New York can file a civil lawsuit until they turn 55 years old, regardless of how long ago the abuse took place.

This law recognizes that it can take years for survivors to feel ready to speak out and seek justice for the harm they suffered.

How much does a New York City sexual abuse lawyer cost?

At Sokolove Law, our New York sexual abuse attorneys charge no hourly fees or out-of-pocket costs.

We only get paid if we recover compensation for you, so there is no financial risk to working with us.

Can I file a sexual abuse lawsuit against someone who is no longer alive?

In some instances, yes. You may be able to file a lawsuit against a deceased abuser’s estate, which contains the sum of the assets that they left behind.

You may also still file a lawsuit against institutions like churches or workplaces that may be partially to blame for the harm you experienced.

Our attorneys can work with you to determine your eligibility for compensation, even if your abuser has passed away.

What constitutes sexual abuse?

Generally speaking, sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual or sexually motivated behavior performed without a person’s consent.

Sexual abuse can include:

  • Forcible touching
  • Rape or attempted rape
  • Sexual misconduct or exploitation
  • Sodomy

We have registered nurses on staff who can help you understand what may have happened.

  1. CBS News. "New York doctor may have abused more than 1,000 victims over 40 years." Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-doctor-reginald-archibald-may-have-abused-more-than-1000-victims-over-40-years/.
  2. Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. “Brooklyn Man Indicted for Recording Patients in Bathrooms at Nassau County Sleep Center.” Retrieved from: https://nassauda.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1758.
  3. New York State. "Attorney General James Announces Agreement with Brooklyn Catholic Diocese for Mishandling of Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases." Retrieved from: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-announces-agreement-brooklyn-catholic-diocese-mishandling.
  4. New York State. “Governor Hochul Signs Adult Survivors Act.” Retrieved from: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-adult-survivors-act.
  5. New York State Unified Court System. "Child Sex Abuse Cases." Retrieved from: https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/Safety/childSexAbuseCases.shtml.
  6. NPR. "Archdiocese Of New York Names 120 Clergy 'Credibly Accused' Of Child Sex Abuse." Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/27/717798215/archdiocese-of-new-york-names-120-clergy-credibly-accused-of-child-sex-abuse.
  7. NPR. "Brooklyn Diocese Reaches $27.5 Million Settlement In Sex Abuse Case." Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2018/09/19/649626023/brooklyn-diocese-reaches-27-5-million-settlement-in-sex-abuse-case.
  8. The National Law Review. “New York Adult Survivors Act.” Retrieved from: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/new-york-adult-survivors-act.
  9. The New York State Senate. "New York Times: A Final Wave of Sex-Abuse Lawsuits as One-Year Window Closes in New York." Retrieved from: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/2023/brad-hoylman-sigal/new-york-times-final-wave-sex-abuse-lawsuits-one-year.
  10. The New York Times. "An Esteemed Doctor, Child Sexual Abuse Claims and a Hospital That Knew for Years." Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/18/nyregion/dr-reginald-archibald-rockefeller-abuse.html.