Survivors of childhood sexual abuse deserve justice and the opportunity to hold accountable those responsible for the wrongs they have suffered. Civil litigation provides a powerful avenue for recovery, even when criminal proceedings fall short or never occur.
Attorney Chris Keating represents survivors of sexual abuse throughout New Jersey in civil litigation against individual abusers and the institutions that enabled abuse through negligence or deliberate indifference. Contact Keating Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation with an attorney experienced in representing child victims of sexual abuse.
Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Claims for Survivors
Claims for sexual abuse of a minor may be brought as a personal injury case under New Jersey law. Survivors may also include claims under N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1 to recover damages even if the defendants never faced criminal prosecution. A plaintiff in a civil case must prove their claims only by a “preponderance of the evidence” standard, which is a significantly lower burden than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard applied in criminal cases.
Attorney Chris Keating seeks justice for survivors of sexual abuse through multiple legal theories, including assault and battery, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as statutory claims. If the sexual abuse involves a minor’s employment or a place of public accommodation, the case will also be reviewed under New Jersey’s powerful Law Against Discrimination.
In these cases, Keating Law Firm may be able to pursue a wide range of damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, statutory damages, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, medical costs, and attorney’s fees and costs.
Holding Institutions Accountable
Institutions may be held liable when they create conditions that allow abuse to occur or fail to respond appropriately to warning signs. Attorney Chris Keating pursues claims against negligent entities, including schools, educational institutions, employers, religious organizations and churches, youth sports leagues and programs, summer camps and recreational facilities, foster care agencies and group homes, and healthcare providers and treatment centers.
Delayed Discovery and the Statute of Limitations
Survivors commonly suppress traumatic memories or do not recognize the full impact of abuse until adulthood. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2a, survivors may bring civil claims until they reach age 55, or within seven years of discovering that their psychological injuries resulted from childhood abuse, whichever is later.
Missing a statute of limitations deadline may forever bar you from pursuing your claims. For that reason, you should not delay scheduling a consultation with an attorney experienced in child sexual abuse cases.
Protecting Survivor Privacy
Protecting survivor privacy is a top priority in every case. When permitted by law and requested by the client, Attorney Chris Keating may use sealed filings, anonymous pleadings, and confidential settlement agreements to protect client identities and prevent unwanted public exposure.
Settlement and Trial Advocacy
Many survivors choose to resolve cases without the emotional burden of public testimony at trial. Attorney Chris Keating pursues strong settlement negotiations backed by compelling evidence of his client’s damages and of the defendant’s liability, often obtained through contentious discovery and aggressive litigation. When settlement negotiations fail to produce acceptable results, Attorney Chris Keating ensures cases are ready for trial, effectively presents survivors’ stories, and endeavors to persuade jurors to hold abusers and negligent institutions fully accountable.
Contact a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in New Jersey
Taking legal action requires courage. You deserve an attorney advocate who will honor that bravery with dedicated and zealous representation. Call Keating Law Firm at (856) 519-5011 to schedule your free and confidential consultation.
Attorney Chris Keating represents survivors in every county in New Jersey, who are seeking long-overdue justice against abusers and other responsible parties.