Yuba City, CA asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Education Law for California

Q: What is California's statue of limitations on childhood molestation?

Public school employee in 1980

2 Lawyer Answers
Dan Rowan Cortright
Dan Rowan Cortright
Answered
  • Sebastopol, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: I am appalled to hear that these things happen to children, especially by a public school employee. You should pursue your rights to collect damages from the responsible parties. Under a law passed in 2019, childhood victims of sexual assault have until the age of 40, or within 5 years of the discovery of the abuse (whichever is later), to file a civil lawsuit for damages. It also provides a three year window of revival for claims that would have otherwise expired because of the statute of limitations. Furthermore, the legislation says that if the abuse was covered up, the victims may be entitled to up to triple the damages.

Contact an attorney to discuss in greater detail and to ensure that your claim does not expire.

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: please see Dan Cortwright's comprehensive answer that should be dispositive of the question..............unless you are talking about you being the potential defendant???

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