Sexual abuse creates long-lasting harm, and a civil claim gives you a way to seek compensation for what you’ve experienced. Civil cases focus on accountability and financial recovery. You may be able to bring a claim against the person who abused you. In many cases, you may be able to hold the school or organization that failed to protect you accountable, too.
From medical bills and therapy costs to the strain of trying to manage your daily life after a traumatic incident, the costs add up quickly. A civil case gives you a path to recover damages for those losses. A criminal case focuses on punishment, while a civil case focuses on compensation. You don’t need a criminal conviction to file a civil claim, and many survivors pursue civil cases even when no criminal case was filed. You’re not required to speak to the person who harmed you, either – that’s where we come in.
When you’re ready to speak with a lawyer about a possible civil claim, contact the law office of Levin, Riback & Adelman. We represent clients throughout Chicago and nearby Illinois communities, and we’re ready to put our significant experience to pursuing justice for you.
Our Chicago personal injury lawyers handle sensitive civil claims involving abuse, institutional negligence, negligent supervision, and other serious harms.
Illinois law gives you several paths to pursue a civil claim for sexual abuse. Federal law may also apply in cases involving schools or programs that receive federal funding.
Illinois uses different timelines depending on whether the survivor was a child or an adult when the abuse occurred. Some deadlines are straightforward. Others shift based on when you realized the connection between the abuse and the harm you’ve experienced. Courts recognize that many survivors don’t understand or process the effects of abuse until years later, so the law sometimes extends filing periods to account for that reality. Some of the state laws that could affect your claim include:
Illinois treats childhood and adult cases differently:
The discovery rule is simple: you might not understand the full impact of what happened until long after the abuse occurred. Illinois law recognizes this. The clock on your filing deadline may not start until you discover (or reasonably should discover) both that the abuse occurred and that it caused your injury.
Finally, your case may involve organizations that receive federal funding. In that situation, federal law may shape the claim, especially when sexual misconduct occurs in a school or educational program. Title IX sex discrimination protections prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal funds. Schools that ignore reports of abuse, fail to supervise staff, or allow a sexually hostile environment may be civilly liable. Generally, a Title IX claim can proceed alongside an Illinois civil claim.
These state and federal laws work together to give you options – and the Chicago-based attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman can help you understand them. Contact us today to learn more.
You have options when you decide to file a civil claim for sexual abuse in Illinois. Your case may involve more than one responsible party, depending on where the abuse happened and who should have protected you. In addition to the perpetrator, you may be able to sue institutions that failed to protect you. This includes:
Finally, if the abuse occurred on someone else’s property (a school, apartment complex, business, or community facility) due to a lack of reasonable safety measures, you may be able to sue the owner.
When you file a civil claim for sexual abuse in Illinois, you are asking the court to recognize the impact the harm has had on your life. Compensation addresses both your financial losses and your emotional and physical suffering. You may be able to pursue compensation for:
Illinois allows punitive damages in civil cases involving willful and wanton conduct. These damages are relatively rare and serve a different purpose: they punish the defendant and act as a deterrent for similar conduct in the future.
Punitive damages are reserved for the most serious cases. For example, they might be available in situations where someone in power hid misconduct or acted with a conscious disregard for your well-being. If the facts support it, punitive damages can significantly increase the value of your case and send a strong message about accountability.
Contact our Chicago-based firm today to find out which damages you may be able to recover with your claim.
Survivors choose the law office of Levin, Riback & Adelman because they want a legal team that understands both the human and legal sides of these cases. Our lawyers bring strong courtroom experience and a steady, patient approach that supports survivors through a process that can feel unfamiliar or intimidating. We focus on building a strategy that reflects what our unique clients need, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our law firm has handled numerous civil sexual abuse cases with compassion and discretion. We protect clients’ privacy and treat every conversation with care, which is why other attorneys frequently refer potential clients to our experienced Chicago lawyers.
Our clients ask many questions, and they should when they meet with our lawyers. Here are brief answers to some of the most frequent questions we get.
A criminal case focuses on whether the perpetrator broke the law and should face punishment. A civil case pursues compensation and accountability for the harm you’ve suffered. Many survivors pursue civil cases even when the criminal justice system didn’t act or couldn’t move forward.
Reporting isn’t required for a civil case. A civil case uses a different standard of proof and relies on evidence that shows the abuse caused harm. You can move forward even if you never made a police report or if the police chose not to investigate.
Every case is different. Timelines vary based on the complexity of the case, the number of defendants, and the amount of evidence involved. Some cases resolve in negotiations within a year. Others require more time if extended litigation is necessary. You’ll know more about your likely timeline once our attorneys review your case.
Generally, no. In most civil cases, you can completely avoid contact. If a deposition or court appearance is necessary, we will prepare you and protect you. Most survivors never have direct interaction with the perpetrator.
Civil sexual abuse cases rarely depend on physical evidence. Many rely on evidence like your testimony and witness accounts or patterns of misconduct. Courts understand that abuse often happens in private and that physical evidence is uncommon. Your claim can still move forward as long as there’s credible evidence supporting what happened.
This depends on whether an organization enabled the abuse to happen or continue. Common examples include ignoring complaints and failing to conduct background checks. We can help you determine their potential liability.
Courts don’t automatically notify third parties. But court filings are generally public unless sealed or redacted. If you have concerns about privacy or retaliation, we’ll take them into account when we take your case.
That depends on your specific case – but generally, no. Courts frequently seal sensitive filings or allow pseudonyms to protect survivors. Most documents filed with the court are public unless sealed or redacted. Your attorney can request protective orders and other safeguards to limit exposure.
Emotional injuries can be proven with many types of evidence. For example, we might use therapy notes, mental health evaluations, employment records, personal statements, and accounts from trusted people in your life. It’s important to remember that you don’t need a specific diagnosis before bringing a claim.
Most defendants deny liability at the start of a case. However, our investigations can show policies and prior complaints that contradict their denials. Many cases settle after evidence like documents, witness statements, and expert opinions come to light.
The attorneys at the law firm of Levin, Riback & Adelman understand the legal and personal challenges that come with a civil sexual abuse claim. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can help you decide the best path forward.
The experienced lawyers of Levin, Riback & Adelman, are committed to helping you achieve a just verdict and recover the compensation you deserve. To discuss your case in confidence, call our office in Chicago, Illinois, or Phoenix, Arizona, at 312-782-6717. You can also request a free consultation online.
