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Reviews and Top-Tier Experience.
Herman Law saved my life. Plain and simple. I am forever grateful for my family at Herman Law. They brought me and my family justice and then delivered accountability to a corrupt and broken system. They uncovered the agency’s cover up and then confronted my perpetrator, holding him accountable.
I had a great experience working with Herman Law. They consistently updated me on my case and helped me get an amazing settlement. Thank you to Attorney Dan Ellis and thank you to everyone at the law firm. I truly appreciate it.
The Herman Law Firm never over promised. They kept everything in perspective. But they sure hit a grand slam for me in the end. The firm always kept in contact with me to let me know things were getting done. I was blessed with this firm. Thank you Jeff and Jason for all your empathy and professionalism. You guys really helped me to get closure in my life.
The impact of child sexual abuse can be life-altering, emotionally, physically, and mentally. For many survivors, the decision to come forward is difficult, especially when the abuse occurred years or even decades ago. At Herman Law, we provide legal guidance grounded in compassion, professionalism, and respect for each survivor’s journey. When you’re searching for an Oregon sexual abuse lawyer, you’re not just looking for someone to file paperwork; you’re looking for someone who understands the courage it takes to come forward and seek justice for what happened in childhood.
Our mission is to help survivors reclaim a sense of control by explaining their rights, reviewing available legal options, and offering thoughtful, survivor-centered support. Whether the abuse happened recently or many years ago, your voice matters. We believe in listening with care, offering clear information, and walking with you at your pace.
Healing begins with taking action. Whether the abuse happened recently or years ago, it’s never too late to come forward. Let our trusted legal advocates guide you through your next steps—confidentially and with care.
At Herman Law, we focus exclusively on representing individuals who were sexually abused as children, often in institutional settings. Behind every case is a survivor whose trust was violated by adults or organizations that failed in their duty of care. This reality reinforces why our work matters. We understand how emotionally complex it can be to pursue legal action, especially while processing what happened.
Oregon’s laws regarding child sexual abuse are nuanced and continue to evolve. Our role is to guide survivors through this process and advocate for their legal rights. As Oregon sexual abuse lawyers, we approach each case with integrity, patience, and a commitment to holding institutions accountable.
Every survivor’s experience is different. Our legal strategies reflect that individuality. We listen carefully, take time to understand the context, and tailor our approach to meet each person’s unique needs.
When sexual abuse occurred during childhood in the care of an institution, an Oregon sexual abuse lawyer can help survivors explore legal options and pursue justice under state law. Cases may involve religious institutions, schools, foster care settings, residential homes, or youth programs that failed in their duty to protect.
We assist survivors by:
Our firm does not handle cases involving adult workplace misconduct or college-based sexual assault unless the survivor was a minor in a care-based setting, such as a religious boarding school. We remain fully focused on advocating for individuals who were children at the time of the abuse and are now pursuing accountability.
Child sexual abuse can happen in a variety of settings: schools, churches, youth clubs, residential facilities, or athletic programs. When institutions neglect their duty to safeguard children, abuse may occur and remain hidden for years, sometimes for decades.
Many survivors face personal and social barriers when it comes to reporting, including fear, stigma, shame, mistrust of authority, or unresolved trauma. Some states, including Oregon, have created legal avenues to support delayed disclosure and help survivors take action on their own timeline. Understanding your options can be a meaningful first step toward accountability, healing, and regaining control.
Our legal team monitors changes that affect access to justice for survivors, including updates to deadlines, reporting requirements, and legal definitions that may influence a survivor’s right to pursue a claim. Under Oregon law, survivors of child abuse — including cases where adults knowingly allowed or encouraged the abuse — generally have until age 40 to file a legal claim. If the survivor was unaware of the connection between their injury and the abuse, and could not have reasonably discovered it sooner, they may still have up to five years from that moment of discovery to seek justice, whichever period grants more time.
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As noted by the Oregon Legislature, a person commits first-degree sexual abuse if they engage in sexual contact with someone under the age of 14.
In many civil cases, the ability to bring a claim often centers on the minor’s age, the nature of the misconduct, and whether the institution that was responsible for the child’s care failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or respond to the abuse.
Examples of child sexual abuse may include:
These acts are rarely isolated. They often reflect deeper failures in institutional responsibility, cultural silence, or organizational neglect. Herman Law helps survivors evaluate the full context of what occurred and determine whether meaningful accountability is possible through the legal system.
We understand how hard it is for survivors to take the first step, especially when the abuse happened long ago or was never acknowledged. Our role is to support survivors with clarity, respect, and compassion. Here are some steps to consider:
Whether you disclosed your experience years ago or just recently recognized what happened, your voice is valid and deserves to be acknowledged. You don’t need to have every detail, memory, or document to begin exploring your options and understanding your rights.
Details like names, locations, or timeframes can be important. Writing them down in a safe place when you feel ready may help support a future claim by capturing key facts and context, but they are not mandatory to move forward or to be heard.
We offer confidential consultations to help survivors understand their rights and explore whether legal action feels right for them. There is no pressure to proceed, and no expectation to commit. We offer legal support that is thoughtful, trauma-aware, and built around the survivor’s comfort, readiness, and individual circumstances.
Survivors who pursue civil claims may be eligible to recover compensation for the emotional and psychological toll the abuse has caused. While each case is unique, potential damages can include:
We help survivors understand what forms of relief may be available and what steps can support their sense of justice. Pursuing accountability is about being heard and holding institutions responsible.
At Herman Law, we pursue justice against institutions that failed to protect children, not individual perpetrators. We are committed to offering survivors respectful, clear legal support as they decide what comes next, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred or how uncertain they feel about the process.
Rather than applying a universal strategy, we tailor legal approaches to reflect each survivor’s unique experiences, needs, and circumstances. Whether you’re exploring your options, asking questions, or ready to take a step forward, we are here to help you navigate this with honesty, patience, and discretion.
You don’t have to have all the answers to begin. At Herman Law, we’re here to listen, inform, and stand with you through uncertainty and difficult moments that may feel overwhelming or unclear. Survivors of child sexual abuse may find that legal support offers a path toward clarity, stability, and moving forward with confidence, thoughtful guidance, and care.
Contact us today at 800-976-8552 to speak with an Oregon sexual abuse lawyer who will treat your experience with compassion, care, and honesty. We’ll take time to listen, answer your questions, and provide steady, respectful guidance throughout the process. Your story matters, and we’re ready to help you take the next step.
Jeff Herman is a nationally recognized attorney and founder of Herman Law, known for his dedication to helping survivors of sexual abuse. With over 35 years of experience, Jeff has represented thousands of clients across the U.S. and secured landmark victories, including a $100 million verdict. He is trained in trauma-informed advocacy and works closely with survivors to guide them through the legal process with care and determination. Jeff is admitted to practice in Florida and New York and leads a team committed to justice and healing.
Yes. We represent adult clients who were sexually abused as children, often in institutions that failed to protect them. Our focus is on institutional accountability for childhood abuse and the long-term harm it causes.
Not always. Verbal sexual abuse, exposure to explicit content, or sexualized language can also cause harm and may be considered in a legal context depending on the circumstances and setting. These experiences may affect a child’s sense of safety and may warrant legal review if they occurred within an institution’s care.
That’s okay. Many survivors delay disclosure, especially children. In some cases, legal action may still be possible depending on the situation and the laws that apply. Each case is unique, and even if time has passed, it may still be worth speaking with someone to explore your options.
Speaking up is never easy—but you’re not alone. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our compassionate team at Herman Law is here to listen, support, and guide you forward. Reach out today in complete confidence.
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