The new law extends the state’s statute of limitations and provides a three-year window for survivors of child sexual and physical abuse to file civil claims, even if the claim was previously time-barred. Before H.B. 492 went into effect August 1, survivors had until age 28 to file in most cases.
The lookback window provides a critical, and likely once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice in Louisiana, regardless of when their abuse occurred. For many survivors, the window will be their only chance to ever seek justice and hold their abusers and the institutions that enabled their abuse accountable.
Given the new law will only allow these historic claims for three years, child sexual abuse survivors wanting to bring a case are advised to consider coming forward soon. If you or someone you love was sexually abused as a child by an employee of a church, healthcare provider, sports team, school, or other organization, please contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your situation. We are committed to providing supportive, sensitive representation to survivors.
