Father John Crews, Former Priest Hanna Boys Center, Accused Sexual Assault

Johnson Attorneys Group has earned its reputation as a prominent California sexual abuse law firm by standing up to abusers and those who employ them such as school districts, government agencies, churches, business or corporations and others.

If you were sexually assaulted or abused, you may have the right to bring a civil claim for compensation. A civil claim is different from a criminal case. The criminal case is handled by the government. A civil case is brought by the survivor to seek damages from the person who committed the assault and, in some cases, from an institution or business that allowed it to happen.

At Johnson Attorneys Group, we represent people in California who were harmed by sexual assault, sexual abuse, or institutional negligence. When I review a case, I focus on what happened, who may be legally responsible, what evidence can support the claim, and what deadlines apply.

Call 1-800-208-3538 for a free and confidential case review.

Civil Sexual Assault Claims In California

A civil sexual assault case is not about sending someone to jail. That is the role of the criminal justice system. A civil case is about holding responsible parties financially accountable for the harm they caused or allowed.

A civil claim may involve:

Sexual assault
Childhood sexual abuse
Abuse by a person in a position of authority
Abuse at a school, church, youth program, workplace, care facility, or business
Sexual abuse involving a teacher, coach, clergy member, employer, supervisor, caregiver, medical provider, or other trusted person
Abuse that was ignored, concealed, or not properly reported by an institution

You do not always need a criminal conviction to bring a civil claim. California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.16 states that, for adult sexual assault civil actions, it is not necessary that a criminal prosecution was brought or that a prosecution resulted in a conviction.

Who Can Be Sued After Sexual Assault Or Abuse?

The person who committed the assault may be legally responsible. In some cases, another person, company, school, church, employer, care facility, organization, or public entity may also be responsible.

A civil case may involve claims against:

The perpetrator
An employer
A school or school district
A church or religious organization
A youth program
A sports organization
A daycare or childcare provider
A foster care provider
A nursing home or care facility
A medical office or treatment provider
A hotel, business, or property owner
Another institution that failed to protect the survivor

The key question is whether another party had a legal duty and failed to act safely. That may include negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, failure to investigate complaints, failure to report, unsafe premises, or covering up prior misconduct.

California Deadlines For Adult Sexual Assault Claims

Deadlines matter. If the assault occurred when the survivor was 18 or older, California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.16 generally gives the survivor the later of:

10 years from the date of the last act, attempted act, or assault with intent to commit an act of sexual assault, or
3 years from the date the survivor discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, that an injury or illness resulted from the sexual assault

California law also includes revival rules for some adult sexual assault claims. These rules can be fact-specific, especially when an entity is accused of covering up prior assault or allegations.

Do not assume your claim is too old without speaking to a lawyer. The deadline should be reviewed based on your age at the time of the abuse, the date of the assault, the responsible parties, and whether any revival rule may apply.

California Deadlines For Childhood Sexual Assault Claims

California has separate rules for childhood sexual assault claims.

California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.1 states that, for certain claims based on childhood sexual assault, there is no time limit for actions against a person who committed the act, or against a person or entity whose wrongful, negligent, or intentional act was a legal cause of the childhood sexual assault and resulting injury.

The statute also includes specific requirements for some claims, including certificates of merit for plaintiffs who are 40 or older at the time the action is filed.

Childhood sexual abuse cases are legally sensitive and fact-specific. If you were abused as a child, we can review the timeline, the parties involved, and the evidence that may support the claim.

What Compensation May Include

A civil sexual assault or abuse claim may include compensation for economic and non-economic harm.

Depending on the facts, damages may include:

Medical care
Mental health counseling
Trauma therapy
Medication
Lost income
Reduced earning capacity
Relocation or safety-related expenses
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other trauma-related harm
Loss of enjoyment of life
Impact on relationships, education, work, and daily life

California’s victim compensation system may also help some victims of crime with certain expenses, including mental health treatment, medical expenses, lost wages, relocation, and other crime-related costs. That program is separate from a civil lawsuit.

Evidence That Can Support A Civil Claim

A survivor’s statement matters. Other evidence can also help prove what happened and who may be responsible.

Evidence may include:

Police reports
Sexual assault forensic exam records
Medical records
Mental health treatment records
Text messages, emails, photos, or social media messages
Witness statements
Prior complaints against the perpetrator
School, church, employer, or institutional records
Internal investigation records
Personnel files
Security video
Reports to supervisors, teachers, administrators, or managers
Evidence of grooming, threats, coercion, or retaliation

In some cases, records must be requested quickly before they are lost, deleted, or destroyed.

Privacy And Confidentiality Matter

Many survivors are afraid of being exposed, blamed, or forced to relive what happened. We understand that concern.

When we review a sexual assault case, we discuss privacy from the beginning. Depending on the case, there may be ways to protect sensitive information, limit unnecessary disclosure, and handle records carefully. Court filings, evidence, and settlement discussions should be approached with privacy in mind.

California law also gives victims of certain crimes the right to request copies of incident report face sheets, incident reports, photographs, and 911 recordings from state and local law enforcement agencies without being charged a fee.

What To Do If You Are Considering A Civil Claim

Your safety comes first. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or seek emergency help.

If you are considering a civil claim, these steps may help protect your rights:

Write down what happened while the details are fresh.
Save messages, photos, emails, call logs, and social media records.
Keep medical and counseling records.
Save the names of witnesses or people you told.
Do not contact the perpetrator.
Do not sign a release, confidentiality agreement, or settlement before getting legal advice.
Speak with a lawyer before assuming the deadline has expired.

You do not have to decide everything before calling. A confidential case review can help you understand whether a civil claim may exist.

How Johnson Attorneys Group Handles Sexual Assault Claims

When we handle a sexual assault or abuse claim, we work to protect the survivor and build the evidence carefully.

We may:

Review the timeline and applicable deadlines
Identify all possible defendants
Investigate whether an institution failed to prevent or stop the abuse
Preserve records and evidence
Review medical, counseling, and reporting records
Communicate with insurers, defense lawyers, and responsible parties
Evaluate damages
Prepare the case for settlement or litigation when necessary

We do not promise a specific result. We do promise to review the facts carefully, explain your options clearly, and treat the case with privacy and respect.

Why Choose Johnson Attorneys Group

Johnson Attorneys Group represents injured people throughout California. The firm has recovered over $100 million for clients, and every case is handled with the understanding that no result can undo what happened.

We have offices in Newport Beach and Bakersfield, and we review sexual assault and abuse claims across California.

We are Here to Help

Johnson Attorneys Group has built its reputation by treating its clients with dignity and respect. Our California sexual abuse attorneys will work tirelessly to achieve justice for you but will do so with compassion and understanding necessary under these delicate circumstances. Over the past decade, our law firm has obtained millions for our deserving clients.

Sexual Assault Attorney in California