California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 218 into law which extends the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits until the survivor turns 40 years old.
The law previously required that child sexual abuse lawsuits had to be filed before the survivor turned 26 years old, or within three years of discovery of the abuse.
The law also provides a three-year window for survivors to file a lawsuit against the perpetrators, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
The changes go into effect on January 1, 2020. The law also specifically lifts time-limits for filing lawsuits against George Tyndall, a former gynecologist at the University of Southern California (USC) who has been accused of abusing hundreds of women during exams.
A few weeks ago, a similar law went into effect in New York, opening a one-year window for adults up to the age of 55 years old to file sex abuse lawsuits that were previously time-barred. Over 400 lawsuits were filed on the first day.
Lawyers say the Roman Catholic Church, Boy Scouts of America and other institutions may face a flood of sexual abuse lawsuits.
About 1,000 lawsuits were filed when California lifted the statute of limitations for one year in 2003, according to attorney John Manly, who represents multiple survivors of Tyndall and the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandals.
Source: California sex abuse law likely to spur thousands of claims
Editor’s note: We have partnered with the Nationally recognized plaintiffs law firm, Schmidt & Clark, LLP. Their lawyers have joined forces with two of the most prominent sexual abuse law firms in the country to pursue these cases. In fact, these three firms were the first to file lawsuits against USC and Dr. George Tyndall.
If you or a loved one believe you have been subjected to sexual assault, abuse, or harassment by Dr. George Tyndall or any other USC employee, Schmidt & Clark, LLP can help.
All inquiries to the firm are absolutely confidential, and if you decide to pursue a claim, California law allows victims of sexual abuse or assault to remain nameless for privacy reasons.
If you provide the firms the opportunity to represent you, you will not be responsible for any legal fees unless they achieve a settlement or judgment on your behalf.
With almost $1 Billion recovered on behalf of sexual abuse victims Nationwide, these law firms have the experience you need.
To learn more about the USC sexual abuse lawsuit, please click the link below.