Dallas Sexual Abuse Lawyer | Civil Claims for Survivors

If you or someone you love was sexually abused in Dallas or the surrounding areas, you have the right to hold the abuser and any responsible institutions accountable through a civil claim. While criminal charges punish offenders, a civil lawsuit puts money in your hands to help with medical bills, therapy, lost wages, and the pain you’ve endured. You deserve compensation for what happened to you.

Sexual abuse shatters lives. The trauma doesn’t end when the abuse stops. Survivors often struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, trust issues, and physical health problems that can last for years. Many victims also face financial hardship from medical treatment, therapy, and lost income. A civil claim cannot undo what happened, but it can provide the resources you need to heal and move forward.

At Varghese Summersett, our Dallas sexual abuse lawyers understand the courage it takes to come forward. We represent survivors of sexual abuse in civil claims against abusers, schools, churches, employers, and other institutions that failed to protect you. We fight for maximum compensation so you can focus on healing.

Who Can You Sue for Sexual Abuse in Dallas?

In Texas, you can file a civil lawsuit against anyone whose actions or negligence contributed to your abuse. This includes the abuser themselves and any institution that failed to prevent the abuse or protect you from harm.

Common defendants in sexual abuse cases include:

• The abuser: The person who committed the abuse can be held liable for your injuries and damages.
• Schools and daycare facilities: If a teacher, coach, or staff member abused you, the school or daycare may be liable for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.
• Religious institutions: Churches, temples, and other religious organizations can be held accountable when clergy members or staff abuse children or vulnerable adults.
• Employers: If you were abused by a coworker, supervisor, or client in the workplace, your employer may be liable for failing to provide a safe environment.
• Healthcare facilities: Doctors, therapists, nurses, and other healthcare providers who abuse patients can be sued, along with the facilities that employed them.
• Camps and youth programs: Summer camps, sports programs, and youth organizations can be held liable when staff members abuse children in their care.
• Foster care and group homes: State agencies and private facilities can be sued when children are abused in the foster care system.

Texas law allows you to pursue claims based on negligence, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. When an institution knew or should have known about the risk of abuse but failed to act, they can be held liable even if they didn’t commit the abuse themselves.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Sexual abuse causes devastating physical, emotional, and financial harm. Texas law recognizes that survivors deserve full compensation for these losses. The compensation you can recover depends on the specific facts of your case, but typically includes both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. This includes past and future medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment. It also includes therapy and counseling costs, which can continue for years or even a lifetime. If the abuse caused you to miss work or lose earning capacity, you can recover compensation for lost wages and future income. You can also seek reimbursement for relocation costs if you had to move to escape your abuser or change schools.

Non-economic damages address the intangible harm you suffered. This includes compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, damage to relationships, and suffering from conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. These damages recognize that sexual abuse causes profound psychological harm that affects every aspect of your life.

In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. These are awarded when the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious or when an institution showed reckless disregard for your safety. Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

How Texas Law Protects Sexual Abuse Survivors

Texas provides several legal pathways for sexual abuse survivors to seek justice. Understanding these laws helps you know what options are available and what evidence you’ll need to prove your case.

Negligence Claims Against Institutions

Under Texas law, institutions have a duty to protect the people in their care from foreseeable harm. This duty applies to schools, churches, employers, healthcare facilities, and other organizations. When they breach this duty and you suffer abuse as a result, they can be held liable.

Common forms of institutional negligence include failing to conduct proper background checks, ignoring complaints or warning signs, inadequate supervision, failing to train staff on abuse prevention, and retaining employees after learning about abuse allegations. Schools and churches can also be liable for failing to report suspected abuse to authorities as required under Texas Family Code § 261.101.

Direct Claims Against Abusers

You can sue your abuser directly for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. These claims focus on the abuser’s intentional conduct and the harm it caused you. Even if the abuser was convicted in criminal court, you can still pursue a civil case against them.

Criminal convictions can help your civil case. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 103.004, a criminal conviction for sexual assault creates a rebuttable presumption in your civil case that the defendant committed the offense. This shifts the burden to the defendant to prove they didn’t commit the abuse.

Employer Liability for Workplace Sexual Abuse

Employers can be held liable when sexual abuse occurs in the workplace. Under Texas law, employers are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment and protecting employees from sexual harassment and assault. If your employer knew or should have known about a risk of abuse but failed to take action, they can be held accountable.

Workplace sexual abuse cases may involve harassment, assault by coworkers or supervisors, or abuse by clients or customers. Employers can also be liable for retaliation if they fired you or took adverse action after you reported abuse.

The Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Claims

Texas law gives sexual abuse survivors more time to file civil claims than most other personal injury cases. This recognizes that many survivors need time to process their trauma before they’re ready to come forward.

For claims involving childhood sexual abuse, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.0045 extends the statute of limitations. You have until your 30th birthday or 15 years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) that the abuse caused your injury, whichever provides you more time. This delayed discovery rule recognizes that many survivors repress memories of abuse or don’t immediately connect their current problems to past trauma.

For adult survivors, the statute of limitations is generally five years from the date of the abuse for personal injury claims. However, the discovery rule may also apply if you didn’t immediately realize the full extent of your injuries.

There are some exceptions. If the defendant is a government entity (such as a public school or state agency), you may need to file a notice of claim within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Against private entities, the standard limitations period applies.

Don’t wait to speak with a lawyer. Even if you’re not ready to file a claim, an attorney can preserve evidence, identify defendants, and protect your rights while you decide how to proceed.

What Your Sexual Abuse Case May Be Worth

Every sexual abuse case is unique. The value of your claim depends on factors like the severity of the abuse, how long it lasted, your age when it occurred, the physical and psychological injuries you suffered, the medical treatment you’ve needed, how the abuse has affected your ability to work and maintain relationships, and whether the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious.

Cases involving childhood sexual abuse often result in higher settlements because the trauma affects the victim throughout their entire life. Long-term psychological treatment, the impact on education and career, and the destruction of normal childhood development all increase the value of these claims.

Cases against institutions with systemic failures (such as schools or churches that covered up abuse or failed to protect multiple victims) may also result in higher damages. Courts recognize that institutional defendants often have greater resources and that significant damages are needed to force change.

Our lawyers conduct thorough investigations to identify all available sources of compensation. We work with medical experts, psychologists, and economists to document the full extent of your damages and fight for maximum recovery.

The Claims Process After Sexual Abuse

Filing a personal injury claim for sexual abuse starts with a free consultation. During this confidential meeting, we’ll listen to your story, review any documentation you have, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. You’re under no obligation to move forward, and we’ll never pressure you to file a claim before you’re ready.

If you decide to proceed, we’ll begin a thorough investigation. This includes gathering medical records, therapy notes, and other documentation of your injuries. We identify all potential defendants, including the abuser and any institutions that may be liable. We research the defendant’s history to find evidence of prior complaints or similar abuse. For institutional defendants, we investigate their policies, training programs, and response to reports of abuse.

We’ll also interview witnesses, obtain employment records and background check information, and work with expert witnesses who can testify about the psychological impact of abuse and the standard of care that institutions should follow.

Once we’ve built a strong case, we’ll file a lawsuit in Dallas County or the appropriate jurisdiction. The defendant will have an opportunity to respond, and both sides will engage in discovery. This is the process where we exchange information, take depositions, and gather additional evidence.

Many sexual abuse cases settle before trial. Insurance companies and institutional defendants often want to avoid the publicity and expense of a trial. We negotiate aggressively to get you the compensation you deserve without the stress of a courtroom battle. However, if settlement negotiations fail, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our Dallas sexual abuse lawyers have extensive trial experience and will fight for you in court if that’s what it takes to get justice.

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, but most cases take one to three years from filing to resolution. We keep you informed throughout the process and make sure you understand what’s happening at each stage.

Why Institutions Fight Sexual Abuse Claims

Insurance companies and institutional defendants often fight hard against sexual abuse claims. They know these cases can result in large verdicts, and they want to minimize their financial exposure. Understanding their tactics helps you prepare for what’s ahead.

Defendants frequently argue they had no knowledge of the abuse and no reason to suspect it was happening. They claim the abuser acted alone and concealed their conduct. They may blame the victim, suggesting you consented or didn’t report the abuse quickly enough. They might argue the statute of limitations has expired or that you waited too long to come forward. They’ll try to minimize your damages by claiming your psychological problems stem from other causes.

These tactics are offensive and wrong. Texas law protects survivors and holds institutions accountable for failures that allow abuse to occur. Our Dallas sexual abuse lawyers know how defendants operate, and we counter every argument they make.

We gather evidence showing the institution knew or should have known about the risk. We find other victims who came forward with complaints that were ignored. We show how inadequate policies and supervision created an environment where abuse could flourish. And we work with experts who can explain why victims often delay reporting and how trauma affects memory and behavior.

Let Us Fight for You. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What to Expect From Varghese Summersett

Sexual abuse cases require sensitivity, skill, and determination. At Varghese Summersett, we treat every survivor with respect and dignity. We understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Our Dallas office is located near the Frank Crowley Courts Building, and we serve clients throughout Dallas County. With more than 70 team members across four Texas offices, we have the resources to take on large institutions, insurance companies, and any defendant who tries to avoid responsibility.

We conduct thorough investigations to uncover every piece of evidence. We work with top medical and psychological experts who can testify about the impact of abuse. We’ve secured hundreds of dismissals and charge reductions across our practice areas, and we bring the same tenacity to every personal injury case we handle.

You’ll work directly with an experienced attorney who will keep you informed at every step. We handle all communication with defendants and insurance companies so you don’t have to deal with their tactics. And we work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, which means you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Our Dallas sexual abuse lawyers have deep ties to the Dallas community. We know the local courts, judges, and opposing counsel. We understand how juries in Dallas County think about sexual abuse cases. And we use that knowledge to build the strongest possible case for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue for sexual abuse that happened years ago?

Yes. Texas law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until their 30th birthday or 15 years after they discover the abuse caused their injury, whichever is longer. For abuse that occurred in adulthood, you generally have five years from the date of the abuse or from when you discovered the full extent of your injuries. The specific deadline depends on the facts of your case, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if I never reported the abuse to police?

You can still file a civil claim even if you never made a criminal report. Many survivors don’t report abuse to law enforcement for valid reasons including fear of retaliation, not being believed, or not realizing the abuse was criminal at the time. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, and we can often prove your claim using medical records, therapy notes, witness testimony, and other evidence.

Will I have to testify about what happened?

It depends. If your case goes to trial, you would need to testify about the abuse and its impact on your life. However, most sexual abuse cases settle before trial. Your attorney will do everything possible to minimize the number of times you need to recount the details of your abuse. During settlement negotiations and depositions, your lawyer will be present to protect you from inappropriate questions and ensure you’re treated with respect.

Can I sue if the abuser was convicted of a crime?

Yes. A criminal conviction actually strengthens your civil case. Under Texas law, a criminal conviction for sexual assault creates a legal presumption that the abuse occurred, which makes it easier to prove your civil claim. You can sue the abuser for damages, and you can also sue any institution that was responsible for preventing the abuse.

What if the institution claims they didn’t know about the abuse?

Institutions don’t need to have actual knowledge of specific abuse to be held liable. They can be found negligent if they should have known about the risk based on warning signs, prior complaints, or the circumstances. For example, if an institution failed to conduct proper background checks or ignored red flags about an employee’s behavior, they can be held responsible even if no one reported the abuse directly to them.

Contact Our Dallas Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today

You deserve justice. You deserve compensation. And you deserve a legal team that will fight for you with skill, compassion, and determination.

Sexual abuse cases are complex and emotionally difficult. You need lawyers who understand the law, know how to investigate institutional failures, and have the trial experience to take on powerful defendants. At Varghese Summersett, we have all of that and more.

Don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you from holding your abuser accountable. The consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation. Call our Dallas office at (214) 903-4000 to speak with an experienced Dallas sexual abuse lawyer today.