Your Battle, Our Compass:
San Francisco Child Sexual Abuse Attorney
Our attorneys have spent years representing child sexual abuse survivors throughout San Francisco County, guiding clients through California’s civil justice system with care and tenacity. If your child was harmed in San Francisco, you don’t have to face this alone — call us today at (213) 320-1001 for a free, confidential consultation.
Can I File a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in San Francisco, California?
Yes. San Francisco County survivors of childhood sexual abuse have the right to file a civil claim in San Francisco Superior Court — 400 McAllister Street — entirely separate from any criminal prosecution. California Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1 establish one of the most survivor-protective legal frameworks in the country. A civil case requires only a preponderance of the evidence, meaning an abuser acquitted in criminal court can still be held liable civilly. California law extends that liability to institutions: school districts including SFUSD, religious organizations, government-run foster programs, youth sports leagues, and any entity that employed or supervised an abuser and failed to act. In 2022, California courts saw a 34 percent increase in institutional childhood sexual abuse filings following legislative reform — a reflection of how aggressively San Francisco and state law now support survivor claims. An experienced San Francisco child sexual abuse attorney can assess whether your civil claim targets an individual, an institution, or both.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Child Sexual Abuse in San Francisco?
Civil liability for child sexual abuse in California extends far beyond the individual perpetrator. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §340.1, survivors may pursue claims against any person or entity whose negligence enabled the abuse — including institutions that hired, supervised, or retained the abuser. San Francisco organizations such as the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), the Archdiocese of San Francisco, youth sports programs, and UCSF-affiliated healthcare providers have all faced civil accountability when they failed to act on warning signs or concealed known abuse.
Institutions bear liability under two primary legal theories. Under respondeat superior, an employer can be held responsible for an employee’s abuse when the employment relationship created the opportunity for harm. Under negligent hiring and retention, an organization is liable when it knew — or reasonably should have known — that a staff member posed a danger to children, yet continued to employ or place that person in contact with minors. AB 2777 further expanded survivor rights by creating a revival window for previously time-barred claims against covered entities.
San Francisco survivors may hold any of the following parties accountable:
- Individual abusers — teachers, coaches, clergy, family members, or caregivers
- SFUSD and private schools that failed to screen or remove abusive staff
- The Archdiocese of San Francisco and affiliated religious institutions
- Youth-serving nonprofits and recreational organizations operating in San Francisco County
- Healthcare facilities and licensed providers who abused patients in their care
How We Value a Child Sexual Abuse Case in San Francisco
Child sexual abuse cases in San Francisco carry significant legal value across multiple damage categories. Compensatory damages typically include the full cost of trauma-focused therapy, psychiatric care, and ongoing medical treatment — expenses that frequently exceed $100,000 over a survivor’s lifetime. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity are recoverable when abuse has impaired the survivor’s ability to work. When institutions such as San Francisco Unified School District or a San Francisco County care facility failed to prevent or report abuse, courts may also award punitive damages specifically designed to punish that institutional negligence.
Emotional distress damages are often the largest component of a child sexual abuse claim. California courts recognize that survivors suffer PTSD, depression, and lasting psychological harm that deserves full compensation beyond out-of-pocket costs. Under AB 218 and AB 2777, survivors face no statute of limitations when pursuing claims against institutions — meaning cases arising from San Francisco schools, churches, or county facilities that occurred decades ago remain fully actionable today.
Our attorneys have recovered more than $250 million for abuse survivors across California. To learn what your San Francisco case may be worth, call Compass Law Group at (213) 320-1001 for a free, confidential consultation.
What to Do If You Are a Child Sexual Abuse Survivor in San Francisco
Studies show that fewer than 1 in 3 child sexual abuse survivors ever report the abuse to authorities — yet those who pursue civil action often recover substantial compensation for therapy, lost earnings, and lifelong harm. If you or someone you love was sexually abused as a child in San Francisco or anywhere in San Francisco County, the steps below can protect your rights and strengthen your case.
- Get to a Safe Place First — Your physical and emotional safety is the immediate priority; if the abuser is in the home or still has access to the child, contact the San Francisco Police Department at 415-553-0123 or call 911 to remove yourself or the child from danger before anything else.
- Seek Medical and Mental Health Care — A licensed healthcare provider can document physical injuries, conduct a forensic exam, and begin the trauma-informed mental health treatment that courts recognize as direct evidence of harm; in San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital operates a 24-hour Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program.
- Report the Abuse to Authorities (If You Choose To) — You are never legally required to file a criminal report to pursue a civil lawsuit, but reporting to the San Francisco Police Department’s Special Victims Unit or the San Francisco Human Services Agency Child Protective Services (415-558-2650) creates an official record that can independently corroborate your civil claim.
- Preserve Every Piece of Evidence — Save all communications — texts, emails, social media messages, voicemails — between the survivor and the abuser or any institution that employed or supervised the abuser; do not delete anything, and store screenshots in a secure, backed-up location, because this digital record can be decisive evidence in a civil case.
- Contact a San Francisco Child Sexual Abuse Attorney — An experienced attorney can identify all liable parties — including schools, churches, youth organizations, and government agencies in San Francisco County — pursue claims under California’s Childhood Sexual Abuse statute, and secure compensation without requiring you to pay anything unless you win.
- Act Before the AB 2777 Lookback Window Closes on December 31, 2026 — California’s AB 2777 created a temporary legal window allowing adult survivors to revive otherwise time-barred civil claims against abusers and the institutions that enabled them, but this window closes permanently on December 31, 2026; once that deadline passes, the right to sue under this extended window is lost forever.
If you are ready to take the next step, call our San Francisco child sexual abuse legal team now at (213) 320-1001 for a free, confidential consultation — there is no cost to speak with us, and no fee unless we recover for you.
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With Joseph Shirazi and Simon Esfandi at the helm, our firm is a trusted name in accident law in California.
Meet Our Managing Partners
National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Avvo 10.0 Superb. Loyola Law School graduate. Recognized for his $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict.
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Super Lawyers Rising Star. Southwestern Law School graduate. Led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery.
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Jerry
After 10 accidents and 9 attorneys, the client met Simon, who stood out for his honesty and clear communication. Years later, after another accident, the client called Simon and was impressed by his professionalism and follow-through. Simon explained everything, connected him with top doctors, and kept every promise. It was the first time the client felt truly supported—highly recommending Simon and Joseph for their integrity and dedication.
Jacob
Jacob was rear-ended by a big rig and left nearly paralyzed for a year. He found Cooper Law Group, and Joseph and Simon personally helped him through the legal process. Over two years, they ensured he got the medical care and surgeries he needed, helped repair his car, and secured the compensation he deserved. He highly recommends them for truly fighting for their clients.
Blandine
During the early days of COVID, Blandine was hit by a car while biking to work. Alone and unsure of what to do, they found Compass Law Group. Joseph was the first to respond with care and clarity. Throughout the case, the team—Joseph, Simon, and Julie—provided support, regular check-ins, and made the client feel safe and cared for. They now consider the firm like family and highly recommend them for their compassion and competence.
Understanding Your Rights:
Frequently Asked
Questions
#1 Do I have a case?
Understanding whether a claim exists is one of the challenges of personal injury law. This is why we offer free initial consultations to help you make this determination and allow you an avenue to vindicate your rights.
We’re committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout Southern California, and, unlike other California personal injury attorneys, we will take on any case if we can help, no matter how big or small.
#2 What is personal injury?
Personal injury involves harm to an individual’s body or property caused by someone else’s negligence. It can range from minor to significant injuries, often requiring legal action to recover damages. We specialize in representing and securing fair settlements for such victims.
#3 Why hire Compass Law Group?
Our client-focused approach ensures personalized attention, detailed case building, and compelling evidence presentation. We’re skilled in negotiating settlements and prepared for trial with aggressive strategies. Our firm maintains transparent communication, involves clients in the process, and utilizes a wide network of expert witnesses and resources to strengthen cases. Choosing us means trusting a team dedicated to your success and justice.
#4What if I didn't go to the hospital?
No matter the injury size, you have rights that need defending. Many injuries seem minor at first but can worsen over time. Ignoring treatment or legal advice risks your health and compensation. Seek immediate medical and legal help after any accident to ensure proper diagnosis and strengthen your compensation claim.