$14.5M
Settlement
Truck Accident
$13M
Settlement
Trial Verdict
$9.87M
Settlement
Bike Accident
$2.25M
Settlement
Ride Share Accident
$2.25M
Settlement
Slip and Fall
California Sexual Abuse Lawyers — Confidential, Compassionate, Committed
Filing a civil lawsuit is a decision no survivor takes lightly. Our job is not to talk anyone into a case — it is to answer questions honestly, to explain the law in plain language, and to stand by the survivor’s decision whatever it is. Every call we take is confidential. Every conversation moves at the survivor’s pace. If filing is the right decision, we handle the litigation so the survivor does not have to carry the weight of the legal system alone. If filing is not the right decision, we respect that too.
Compass Law Group, LLP handles California sexual abuse cases from seven offices — Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, and Bell Gardens. Our firm has recovered $250,000,000+ total for California injury victims across all practice areas.
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California Has Dramatically Expanded Survivor Rights
Until recently, California civil sexual abuse claims were time-barred within a few years of the abuse — closing the courthouse door on many survivors before they were emotionally ready to come forward.
Two recent legislative reforms changed the landscape:
AB 2777 — The Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act (see California Attorney General archive) (2023)
This statute opened a one-year look-back window during which adult survivors of sexual assault that was previously time-barred could file civil claims, and it significantly expanded the standard statute of limitations for adult sexual assault claims going forward under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16.
AB 218 — The Child Victims Act (2019).
Extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims to age 40 or five years after discovery of the injury, and opened a three-year look-back window for previously time-barred claims.
These two statutes mean that a survivor who thought their case was long dead may still have a viable claim. The only way to know is to have the specific facts reviewed by an attorney familiar with the current law.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a
California Sexual Abuse Case
Religious organizations
Churches, dioceses, parishes, religious orders, and nonprofit ministries
Youth organizations
Scouts, camps, mentoring programs, youth sports leagues
Employers
For workplace sexual harassment and assault by supervisors and coworkers
Hotels and short-term rentals
Under negligent security theories when security failures enabled assault on the premises
Detention facilities
Jails and prisons for assaults by staff or other detainees
Schools, school districts, and private academies
Under Civil Code § 1714 for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention of teachers and staff
Medical providers, clinics, hospitals
For the negligent supervision of doctors, therapists, and support staff
Rideshare platforms
When drivers commit sexual assault against passengers during active trips; see our Uber accident attorneys for the intersection of rideshare law and assault claims
Foster care and group homes
for the negligent supervision of foster parents and group home staff
Government entities
Public schools, public universities, state agencies; government claim rules may apply
How We Value a California Sexual Abuse Case
Sexual abuse cases are unique because the damages are primarily non-economic — psychological injury, PTSD, depression, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life — rather than the traditional medical bills and wage loss that drive traffic cases. Economic damages do exist (long-term therapy, psychiatric treatment, lost earning capacity when the abuse derailed a career or education) but they are often dwarfed by the non-economic impact. Factors that push a case toward the top of its range:
- Institutional defendant with significant insurance or assets
- Pattern evidence - prior complaints against the same abuser, cover-up by the institution, internal documents
- Documented psychological injury - treatment records, therapist testimony, formal PTSD or major depression diagnoses (see the VA National Center for PTSD)
- Severity and duration of the abuse
- Age of the survivor at the time of the abuse
- Vocational and educational impact - interrupted careers, loss of earning capacity
- Child Victims Act or AB 2777 applicability - opening cases that would otherwise be barred
California Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Claims
California’s civil statute of limitations for sexual assault and abuse depends on the type of claim and when the abuse occurred:
Adult sexual assault
- 10 years from the date of the assault, or three years from discovery of an injury caused by the assault, whichever is later (Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16). AB 2777 also opened a one-year look-back window for claims previously time-barred.
Employer cases
- FEHA claims have their own one-year administrative deadline via California Civil Rights Department (DFEH successor); civil claims follow the two-year personal injury rule under CCP § 335.1 unless a longer survivor-specific statute applies.
Childhood sexual abuse
- Until age 40 or five years from discovery of the injury, whichever is later (CCP § 340.1). AB 218 opened a three-year look-back window that has since closed, but discovery-based claims remain available.
Government entity defendants
- Six-month written government claim deadline under Government Code § 911.2 for most claims; AB 218 created an exception for childhood sexual abuse claims against public entities, but the rules are nuanced and require attorney review.
- These rules are complex, and the specific facts of each case determine which deadline applies. Survivors who think their case is “too old” are often wrong. A confidential attorney consultation is the only way to find out.
Meet the Attorneys Leading Your Case
Your case at Compass Law Group is led by one of our two managing partners. Together they bring decades of California personal injury trial experience, hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, and a courtroom record that forces defense carriers to take the case seriously from day one.
Joseph Shirazi
Managing Partner, CA Bar #265403. A Loyola Law School graduate named to the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and holder of an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating. His results include a $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict. He is a member of Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and the American Association for Justice. Read Joseph Shirazi’s full bio →
Simon Esfandi
Managing Partner, CA Bar #275307. A Southwestern Law School graduate recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. He led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery, and focuses his practice on catastrophic personal injury trials. Read Simon Esfandi’s full bio →
Why Compass Law Group
- $250,000,000+ recovered for California injury and wrongful death victims
- Seven and eight-figure results on fatal truck accident and motorcycle accident cases — past results do not guarantee future outcomes
- 5.0 stars on Google, 193+ verified client reviews
- Seven California offices — Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, Bell Gardens
- No win, no fee — we advance every cost and only get paid when you do
- Free confidential consultations in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean — available 24/7 at (213) 699-5475
Take the first step
towards recovery
- Call us at (310) 598-7469 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. We’re available 24/7 to answer car accident victims’ questions and discuss your case.
- Fill out our online contact form. We’ll get back to you promptly to schedule a time to talk.
- Visit our office in Beverly Hills. We’re conveniently located and ready to welcome you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a sexual abuse lawsuit in California?
It depends on whether the abuse was as an adult or a child and whether it occurred before or after recent legislative changes. Adult sexual assault claims have 10 years from the date of assault or 3 years from discovery of the injury under CCP § 340.16. Childhood abuse claims extend until age 40 or 5 years from discovery under CCP § 340.1. Recent laws AB 218 and AB 2777 opened look-back windows for previously time-barred claims. A confidential consultation is the only way to know the specific deadline in your case.
Can I file a civil lawsuit separate from criminal charges?
Yes. Civil and criminal cases run on separate tracks. The criminal case punishes the abuser; the civil case compensates the survivor. Civil cases use a lower burden of proof (“preponderance of the evidence” instead of “beyond a reasonable doubt”) and can succeed even when criminal charges are not filed or result in acquittal.
What damages are available in a sexual abuse case?
Past and future medical costs, psychological treatment costs, therapy and counseling, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earning capacity, and — in cases of egregious defendant conduct — punitive damages.
Can I sue an institution for failing to prevent abuse?
Yes. Most California sexual abuse cases proceed against both the individual abuser and the institution that hired, supervised, or failed to act on reports about the abuser. Common institutional defendants include churches, schools, youth organizations, employers, and medical facilities.
Is my identity kept confidential in a sexual abuse case?
California courts routinely allow survivors to proceed under a pseudonym (“Jane Doe” or “John Doe”) in civil filings. Our firm takes additional steps to protect client confidentiality throughout the case including limiting who is copied on communications and sealing sensitive records where appropriate.
What is the average settlement for a sexual abuse lawsuit?
No average. California civil sexual abuse settlements and verdicts range from six figures to nine figures depending on the institutional defendant, the pattern evidence of prior knowledge or cover-up, and the severity of the survivor’s injuries. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Talk to a California Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse or assault anywhere in California, call Compass Law Group, LLP at (213) 988-6948 for a free and confidential consultation. No-win no-fee representation, 24/7 availability in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean.