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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.
Sexual abuse continues to affect countless children across the United States, including here in Pennsylvania. The trauma it causes can have lasting emotional, psychological, and physical effects well into adulthood. If you experienced sexual abuse in a public or institutional setting, you have the right to seek justice and support. You do not have to suffer in silence or navigate the legal process alone.
An experienced sexual abuse lawyer can offer you legal advice and help you recover damages for the horrific abuse you suffered. Although nothing can take away the trauma you’ve endured, money damages can be a measure of justice and a way to compensate a victim for their pain and suffering. A measure of justice can bring a victim closure and healing – which is the most important part of the litigation process.
At Herman Law, our mission is to help victims heal by giving them a voice through civil litigation. Start your path towards justice and healing with a member of our team — confidentially and with care.
Sexual abuse in Pennsylvania is unfortunately very common, with sexual abuse being the most common form of child abuse. Of the 5,202 reported cases of child abuse, 2,083 of these cases involved sexual abuse. These listings only reflect reported cases; the actual number of cases of sexual abuse is probably a lot higher.
Each year in the United States, millions of people fall victim to some form of sexual abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 3 females and 1 in 4 males have been the victims of sexual violence that involves physical contact in their lifetimes. Also, about 1 in 5 women and 1 in 38 men are rape survivors.
One of the most widely known cases of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania is the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He was an assistant coach for the Penn State collegiate football team, and for about a 15-year period, Sandusky used his position of trust to sexually abuse young boys under his care. Although the entire team did not know of this information, there were negligent parties involved. Sandusky and other coaches at Penn State University were sentenced to jail time.
Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic churches have also been accused of a decades-long massive cover-up of child sexual abuse, with seven of Pennsylvania’s eight dioceses being charged in the abuse scandal. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia expects to pay $126 million to sexual abuse victims.
Anyone can be a victim of unlawful sexual conduct, no matter their age, race, culture, religion, socioeconomic background, geographic area, etc. Sexual abuse usually starts in the early years of one’s life. About a third of all female rape victims are raped between 11 and 17 years old and about a quarter of all males are raped between the ages of 11 and 17. Whereas sexual abuse usually happens to children and young people, sexual assaults are committed more often against adults.
If you are a parent and you’re worried that someone may be sexually abusing your child, there are some signs you can look out for. First, look for bruises or cuts, particularly around the genital areas. Next, notice whether your child has any recent changes in their disposition. Have their education grades dropped? Do they no longer enjoy going to training or practice for sports? Are they becoming more and more isolated? When a child actively tries to avoid being alone with a certain adult, this may be a sign that they’re being abused by that person.
When a child actively tries to avoid being alone with a certain adult, this may be a sign that they’re being abused by that person.
In sex abuse cases, the victims usually know their abusers. In fact, the abuser is often a trusted family member, co-worker, religious leader, school employee, neighbor, or friend. Having a close, trusting relationship with their victims is how these types of abusers are able to manipulate them.
Sexual abuse has long-term and often debilitating effects on victims and others around them. Many sexual abuse victims suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health problems. Some victims will turn to self-harm to deal with the shame and humiliation of sex abuse.
Often, an abuse victim is afraid to tell anyone because they’re afraid people won’t believe them, or they’re worried about making accusations against a trusted and well-respected person in the community. A person’s sleeping and eating habits may change, and they may start to engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as abusing drugs or alcohol or engaging in risky sexual activities.
If you are a sex abuse survivor, you are not alone. You can reach out to a law firm today, and they can help you navigate your legal options. Recovering money damages for the sexual abuse you endured can help you pay for medical treatment, therapy, and other tools during recovery.
The path to statute reform in Pennsylvania was shaped by years of survivor advocacy and public scrutiny. A series of grand jury reports, beginning in 2005, revealed systemic concealment of abuse across institutions. These investigations prompted calls for sweeping legal changes to expand civil and criminal timelines for survivors.
In response, the state passed Act 87 of 2019, signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf. Key provisions of this legislation include:
As outlined by Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), the law applies prospectively and marked a significant shift in how the state acknowledges the realities of delayed disclosure. Many survivors find strength in knowing the law aligns more closely with their lived experiences.
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are currently considering additional reforms to expand access to justice. House Bill 462 proposes a two-year revival window that would temporarily lift the civil statute of limitations for survivors whose claims are currently time-barred. If enacted, this change would allow individuals to file lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred, further supporting delayed disclosure and ensuring survivors have another opportunity to be heard.
Childhood sexual abuse often causes long-term emotional, psychological, and physical harm. Survivors may wait years, even decades, to speak out, often because of fear, shame, or uncertainty about their legal rights.
Some survivors may feel discouraged if the abuse they endured happened outside the civil filing window. However, the legal landscape is still evolving. Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to debate the introduction of a revival window, which would allow time-barred claims to proceed for a limited period.
Even without new legislation, survivors may have options based on:
Every case is different, and each situation is evaluated individually to determine whether a viable path to justice remains under Pennsylvania law or through related legal frameworks.
In sex abuse cases, there can be multiple liable parties under sexual abuse laws. A perpetrator can be held both criminally and civilly liable for unwanted sexual activity. The institution that employed the predator can also be held liable if the institution knew about the abuse and failed to do anything about it. A person who has been a victim of sex abuse has the right to bring a legal claim under Pennsylvania’s negligence laws.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sex abuse, there are several steps you should take.
It is crucial first to get any medical care you might need.
Contact a sexual abuse lawyer who has experience with such practice areas. Your attorney can do independent research on your case, determine the amount of evidence, and help you understand your legal rights.
If you suspect your child is being abused by a trusted adult, contact the authorities immediately to report the abuse and the adult’s employer if they work in an institution with minors. Start keeping a diary of the abuse, with specific details and dates. Take photos of any physical injuries from the abuse. It’s also important to make sure the victim is no longer anywhere near the abuser.
No one should have to experience sexual misconduct of any kind. Victims of abuse can experience emotional pain from all forms of sexual assault and abuse. The civil justice system and the criminal justice system are there to help victims reclaim their voice and hold abusers and institutions accountable. A law firm with compassionate lawyers and years of experience can help you navigate the legal system to ensure that you can focus on your healing process.
In a sex abuse or sexual assault case, you have several options to pursue.
You may pursue criminal charges against your abuser. You can do this by filing a report with law enforcement or police officers. If you file criminal charges, then a district attorney may prosecute a criminal case against your abuser. In a criminal case, the abuser may be sentenced to jail for a certain amount of time. Your local government in Pennsylvania may have a specific task force or agency that addresses sexual abuse cases, so you should contact your local district attorney to ask about this.
You also have the option of bringing a civil lawsuit against your abuser. In a civil case, you can recover monetary damages from your abuser or another liable person. To win in a civil lawsuit, you must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the person had a duty not to harm you or a duty to protect you from sexual abuse, the person violated this duty, and their conduct caused your injuries. Your injuries do not need to be physical. In many sexual abuse cases, long-term injuries are most often mental and emotional, and the law allows you to recover for this type of pain and suffering. If you believe you have a case against someone for sexual abuse, contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney who can explain your legal rights and whether you can take legal action.
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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 agencies cover up and then confronted my perpetrator, holding him accountable.
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If you are a sex abuse victim, there are various resources in Pennsylvania that you can reach out to for help and guidance. Pennsylvania has established a Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, which provides compensation to victims of crime, including costs of counseling, medical expenses, and lost wages for missed work. To receive compensation under this program, the sexual abuse must have occurred in Pennsylvania, you must have reported it, and you must file a compensation claim within two years of the crime.
For personal injury claims, which include injuries from sexual abuse, each state has its own deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. The deadline for filing a lawsuit is referred to in legal terms as the statute of limitations.
Sexual abuse is different from other crimes in that victims of sexual abuse often feel shame and may even blame themselves for the abuse. They may not even realize that they were being abused until years after the abuse happened. Therefore, many sex abuse victims don’t come forward until many years after the abuse. In recognizing this, several states have passed laws that revive the statute of limitations so victims may bring claims against their abusers.
Pennsylvania has two categories for bringing civil lawsuits for sexual abuse: child sexual abuse survivors and survivors of adult sexual abuse. As of 2019, people who were abused as children can bring claims up until age 55. People who were abused between the ages of 18 and 24 can bring claims until age 30. For people who were abused from age 25 and up, they have two years to file a claim.
The new laws aren’t retroactive. This means that if a person was abused before 2019, the new statute of limitations doesn’t apply. For people whose claims are barred, the Pennsylvania legislature is considering reviving the statute of limitations so they can still bring a suit.
Civil claims are not solely about financial recovery. They play a critical role in exposing patterns of negligence within organizations entrusted with children’s safety. Civil litigation can prompt meaningful change when a school, church, or other institution fails to act or actively conceals abuse. These claims often lead to improved policies, stronger safeguards, and a higher level of institutional accountability moving forward.
Pursuing a civil case is also a powerful form of recognition for many survivors. It allows them to have their experience formally acknowledged by the legal system and the broader public. Unlike the criminal justice process, which may involve limited survivor input or retraumatizing procedures, civil litigation gives survivors greater control and a chance to speak on their terms. That process can be essential to healing and reclaiming one’s story.
When filing a civil claim, you may have to revisit the trauma you endured. However, this process is also about asserting your right to be heard and holding the institutions who failed to protect you accountable.
Survivors may be entitled to compensation for the impact abuse has had on their lives, regardless of whether the perpetrator was criminally charged or convicted. Civil claims focus on institutional accountability and survivor harm, not on the outcomes of a criminal investigation. Damages may include:
At Herman Law, we work with purpose and compassion. We center the survivor’s experience while building a strong legal strategy. Civil litigation can be one way to regain power and ensure that institutions are held responsible for the harm they failed to prevent.
If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse, you may have the right to file a civil lawsuit. Call Herman Law at 800-686-9921 for a confidential consultation with a member of our team. We are here to listen with care and advocate for your rights, at your pace and on your terms. Start your journey toward justice and healing today.
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.
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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