Greenberg Gross LLP - April 2026 - New Page - New York Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Lawyer
New York Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Lawyer
Sexual assault leaves deep, lasting harm that survivors often carry with them the rest of their lives. Emotional trauma, unanswered questions, and uncertainty about whether there is any path to accountability haunt survivors long after the assault. "Will anyone even believe me?" is a question that grips those wondering what they should do.
The New York sexual assault civil lawsuit lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP represent survivors in civil claims against the individuals who harmed them and the institutions that failed to prevent the crime or respond appropriately. We provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for you to share your experience.
New York law gives survivors a way to take action through the civil legal system. You can pursue a claim against the person who assaulted you and other potential parties who enabled them or failed to act.
You do not need a criminal conviction, a police report, or any involvement from the criminal justice system to move forward with a civil claim. You remain in control of your case. Call (212) 402-0900 for a private, confidential consultation.
Why Do I Need a New York Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Lawyer?
A civil lawsuit is separate from the criminal case. Criminal cases are brought by prosecutors to punish the offender. Civil cases are brought by the survivor to seek financial compensation for the harm they suffered. You control the civil case, and your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP manages every step of it.
The Civil Standard of Proof Is Lower
In a criminal case, prosecutors must prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." A civil lawsuit uses a different standard called "preponderance of the evidence," which means your attorney only needs to show that the assault more likely than not occurred.
That lower bar makes civil claims a powerful option for justice, even if criminal charges were never filed or did not result in a conviction.
Your Lawsuit Can Reach Beyond the Perpetrator
The civil sexual assault lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP investigate whether other parties share legal responsibility for what happened. Institutions such as schools, employers, churches, nursing homes, and youth organizations can be held accountable when they fail to protect people in their care or attempt to hide abuse. Our attorneys pursue claims against every responsible party.
Confidentiality Is Built Into the Process
New York allows sexual assault survivors to file civil lawsuits under a pseudonym, such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe." Your identity can be shielded from public records, and our attorneys take every available step to protect your privacy throughout the case.
How Greenberg Gross LLP's Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Attorneys Build Your Case in New York
Our legal team handles the investigation, the legal strategy, and the courtroom preparation so you can focus on your well-being. Here is how the process works when you hire a New York sexual assault civil lawsuit lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP.
Evaluating Your Legal Options
During your confidential consultation, an attorney reviews what happened and identifies which laws apply to your situation. New York has multiple overlapping legal frameworks that may support your claim, and the right combination depends on when the assault occurred, who was responsible, and where it took place.
Identifying Every Responsible Party
Our attorneys look beyond the individual who committed the assault. If an employer ignored complaints, a school failed to act on warning signs, or an institution covered up prior misconduct, those parties may share liability.
The New York City Human Rights Law imposes strict liability on employers in the five boroughs for supervisory harassment. The New York State Human Rights Law holds employers accountable when they encourage or condone the conduct.
Pursuing Compensation Through Negotiation or Trial
Many sexual assault civil lawsuits are resolved through confidential settlements. When a fair resolution is not available outside the courtroom, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial in New York County Supreme Court, the Southern or Eastern Districts of New York, or any other appropriate venue.
What Compensation Can a New York Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Recover?
New York does not cap compensatory or punitive damages in most civil sexual assault cases. That means there is no artificial limit on what a jury can award. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP calculates the full impact of what happened and builds the evidentiary record to support each category of loss.
Recovery in a civil claim may include:
- Compensation for therapy, counseling, and long-term mental health treatment
- Damages for emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity if the assault affected your ability to work
- Medical expenses related to physical injuries sustained during the assault
- Punitive damages when the responsible party acted with willful disregard or malice
Greenberg Gross LLP has secured a $6.4 million settlement against a school district, a $4.1 million settlement against a private school, a $3.75 million settlement against LAUSD, and a $3.5 million settlement for equestrian athletes, all in sexual abuse cases. Our attorneys bring the same level of preparation to every case.
How Long Do Survivors Have to File a Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit in New York?
Filing deadlines in New York depend on the age of the survivor at the time of the assault and the type of claim being pursued. Missing a deadline can permanently close the door on your case, so speaking with a sexual assault civil lawsuit attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP early is critical.
Adult Survivors
New York extended the civil statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses to 20 years through CPLR Section 213-c. That law applies to conduct involving rape, criminal sexual acts, and certain forms of sexual abuse.
For other types of claims, shorter deadlines may apply. Survivors in the five boroughs may also have claims through the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which carries a seven-year filing window.
Childhood Survivors
The Child Victims Act allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits until they turn 55. That law dramatically expanded the prior deadline, which had required survivors to file before their 23rd birthday.
The CVA's lookback window, which allowed survivors to revive previously time-barred claims, closed in August 2021, but the extended age-55 deadline remains in effect for all other claims.
The Adult Survivors Act Lookback Window Has Closed
The Adult Survivors Act created a one-year lookback window from November 2022 through November 2023. During that time, adult survivors could file civil claims even if the standard statute of limitations had already expired, giving many a renewed opportunity to pursue accountability. That window is now closed.
The purpose was to account for a reality the law had failed to address: that many survivors don't come forward until years later. Trauma, fear, power dynamics, or institutional cover-ups can delay reporting the assault or abuse. The lookback window gave those individuals a chance to seek accountability in civil court, regardless of how much time had passed.
However, survivors whose assaults fall within the current 20-year statute of limitations or other applicable deadlines may still have valid claims. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP reviews the specific facts and determines which timelines apply.
Ask Greenberg Gross LLP About Filing a Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit in New York
Q: Can I file a civil lawsuit for sexual assault even if there were no criminal charges?
A: Yes. Criminal and civil cases are completely separate. You do not need a police report, an arrest, or a conviction to pursue a civil claim. A New York sexual assault civil lawsuit lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP can evaluate your case based on the facts available and advise you on your legal options.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a sexual assault civil lawsuit lawyer in New York?
A: Greenberg Gross LLP handles many sexual assault civil cases on a contingency basis. That means you pay no legal fees unless your case results in a recovery. During your confidential consultation, our attorneys explain the fee structure so there are no surprises.
Q: Can I sue an institution like a school or church for sexual assault in New York?
A: Yes. New York law allows survivors to bring civil claims against institutions that failed to prevent sexual assault or covered up prior misconduct. Schools, churches, employers, youth organizations, and nursing homes can all be held accountable when their negligence contributed to the harm.
Why Survivors Choose Greenberg Gross LLP for Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuits in New York
Survivors of sexual assault deserve attorneys who combine legal skill with genuine compassion. Here is what sets Greenberg Gross LLP apart.
A Firm Built to Advocate for Survivors
Greenberg Gross LLP's founders left a global law firm to create a practice dedicated to high-stakes litigation. The firm operates FightForSurvivors.com, a dedicated platform for survivors of sexual assault seeking legal support, and has secured multi-million dollar results in sexual abuse cases against schools, institutions, and individual perpetrators.
Trial-Ready Preparation on Every Case
We settle many sexual abuse claims out of court, but if the defendant refuses to settle fairly, we can take them to court and argue your case before a judge or jury. That level of readiness gives our attorneys leverage in settlement negotiations and the ability to follow through in the courtroom when a fair outcome is not available outside of it.
A Midtown Manhattan Office Serving All of New York
From 570 Lexington Avenue, our attorneys represent survivors in New York County Supreme Court, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and before the New York State Division of Human Rights. We also maintain an office in Buffalo near Erie County courts and serve clients across Westchester, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.
Awards and Recognition
- Super Lawyers selections across multiple practice areas
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers and Top Boutique Litigation Firm
- Featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, AMC Networks, and Oxygen Network
These recognitions reflect a firm-wide commitment to litigation excellence and advocacy for survivors across every case we handle.
FAQs Answered by Our New York Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Lawyers
Can I file a sexual assault civil lawsuit in New York if the assault happened in another state?
New York courts may have jurisdiction if the responsible party is based in New York, if the institution operates here, or if other connections to the state exist. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP evaluates the jurisdictional questions and determines where to file.
Will I have to testify in court if I file a civil lawsuit?
Many civil sexual assault cases settle before trial, which means testimony may not be required. If the case goes to trial, your attorney prepares you thoroughly and advocates for every available privacy protection throughout the proceedings.
Can I file a civil lawsuit if I was a minor when the assault happened?
Yes. The Child Victims Act allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits in New York until they turn 55. Your attorney determines which deadlines and legal frameworks apply based on the specific facts of your situation.
What is the difference between a civil lawsuit and a criminal case for sexual assault?
A criminal case is brought by the government to prosecute the offender. A civil lawsuit is brought by the survivor to seek financial compensation. The two cases can proceed at the same time, and the outcome of one does not control the other.
Does Greenberg Gross LLP handle sexual assault cases outside of New York City?
Yes. Our team represents survivors throughout the state, including in Buffalo, Westchester, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. We handle cases in state courts, federal courts, and before administrative agencies across New York.
Contact a New York Sexual Assault Civil Lawsuit Lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP
Taking this step takes courage, and you do not have to take it alone. The attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP have built their careers around representing survivors with compassion, confidentiality, and the trial-tested preparation that these cases require. From our Midtown Manhattan and Buffalo offices, we serve survivors across New York and treat every case with the dignity it deserves.
Call (212) 402-0900 for a confidential consultation with a sexual assault civil lawsuit attorney who will put your well-being first.