Sexual Abuse Lawyer in San Francisco, CA

Yes. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case. Criminal court decides punishment, and civil court decides compensation. Civil cases also use a lower standard of proof, so you can win a civil claim even if no one was ever charged or convicted. Evidence gathered during a criminal investigation can still support your civil case.

Childhood abuse on or after Jan. 1, 2024 has no deadline. For abuse that occurred before that date, victims generally have until age 40 or five years from discovery, whichever is later. Adult survivors usually have 10 years from the incident or three years from discovery of injury, whichever is later. A revival window for some cover-up cases (incidents an institution or employer hid) closes at the end of 2026. Deadlines can be strict, so reach out as soon as you're ready.

Courts often allow abuse survivors to file under a Doe pseudonym so their names stay out of public filings. Your conversation with our San Francisco, CA, team is confidential from the first call, and we can seek protective orders that limit how your private information is handled during the case.

You may have a claim against more than the abuser. Schools, churches, employers, and care facilities can be held responsible when they ignored warning signs or failed to screen and supervise the people they placed in positions of trust. These institutional claims are complex, and they are often where the strongest path to recovery lies.

Most civil claims settle before trial, and many survivors never testify in open court. If your case does go to trial, we prepare you carefully for each step and can ask the court for accommodations that reduce contact with the abuser. You stay in control of key decisions, including whether to accept a settlement or continue to trial.

No. Dolan Law Firm handles sexual abuse claims on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The costs of investigating a claim, including records requests, expert consultations, and case preparation, are covered by our firm as your case moves forward. This arrangement lets survivors pursue justice without adding a financial burden to an already difficult situation. During your free, confidential consultation, we can walk through exactly how our fee structure works and answer any questions about cost before you decide whether to move forward.