What Attorneys Consider When Deciding Where to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

After deciding to sue their abuser(s), many sexual abuse survivors have questions about where their lawsuit can be filed.

What if my abuse happened out of my home state? What if abuse happened in several places? What if the organization that silenced my abuse has headquarters in another state; can I still file a claim against them?

These questions may seem overwhelming. But, consulting with an experienced sexual abuse attorney can help answer your questions.

Sexual abuse lawyers consider many factors before selecting where to file your claim. In fact, deciding where to file your claim is one of the most important choices you and your lawyer will make during this process. So, being open and honest with your lawyer about the specific details of your case is crucial.

Factors Considered

Typically your attorney will file your lawsuit based on where the abuse took place. However, if abuse happened in several locations, you and your lawyer will decide where to file the lawsuit after considering factors like the following:

• History of abuse
• Where the abuse happened
• Where an organization or company involved or associated with the abuse is located. This could be either where their headquarters are located or where they do business.
• Other locations where your abuser had other cases of abuse or misconduct
• Other times where your abuser interacted with you
• Location(s) where your abuser was relocated to by an organization/company after they learned of the abuse.

After reviewing the locations of abuse, your attorney will also check whether a state’s statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit have expired for your case. Statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases are starting to change for the better across the U.S., so an experienced sexual abuse lawyer will be aware of which states have opened “lookback windows” for sexual abuse survivors.

After reviewing all the details of your case, both of you will agree to file your lawsuit in the location that best applies to the circumstances of your case.

Connecting with a Sexual Abuse Lawyer

To help you through the decision-making of filing a lawsuit, consulting with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer is important. A skilled sexual abuse attorney will know how to not only respect your case as it deserves but maximize your chances at receiving compensation for your pain and suffering.  

At AVA Law Group, we provide access to first-rate, qualified sexual abuse attorneys from across the U.S. with proven track records of success for clients. Our lawyers value your voice and story and want to problem-solve for you in any way that they can. To learn more about your eligibility for filing a sexual lawsuit against your abuser, contact AVA Law Group today. We offer free initial consultations, and we assure that your information is protected whether you decide to sign with our firm or not.

Call today: 1.866.428.2529.