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What Happened to You Was Not Your Fault. What Happens Next Is Your Choice.
Sexual abuse leaves damage that does not heal on its own timeline. The shame, the fear, the way it rewires how a person moves through the world—none of that simply goes away because the abuse stopped.
Our West Palm Beach sexual abuse attorneys understand that for many survivors, the hardest part is not just what the abuser did. It is what the institution around the abuser allowed to happen.
A school that looked the other way. A church that quietly reassigned a known offender. A care facility that ignored complaints from a vulnerable resident. A youth program that failed to run a background check.
When these institutions fail the people they are supposed to protect, Florida law provides survivors a path to hold them accountable.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers represents survivors of sexual abuse in civil claims against both individual abusers and the institutions that enabled them.
Every consultation is completely confidential. We do not collect a fee unless we recover for you.
Call (561) 800-8000 now, available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Why Hire Frankl Kominsky West Palm Beach Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sexual abuse cases require a legal team that combines aggressive litigation with genuine sensitivity. These are not standard injury claims. They involve deeply personal trauma, institutional power dynamics, and legal complexities that demand both precision and care.
We Pursue the Institutions, Not Just the Individuals
Most individual abusers lack the insurance or personal assets to fund a meaningful recovery. The institutions that enabled the abuse, through negligent hiring, negligent supervision, failure to report, or active concealment, are where the financial accountability lies. Our attorneys investigate the chain of institutional failure and pursue claims against every responsible party.
Confidentiality from the First Call
We protect the survivor's identity at every stage. Our attorneys file lawsuits under pseudonyms (such as Jane Doe or John Doe) when the survivor's privacy is a concern. We do not publicize client information without explicit consent.
No Upfront Costs, No Pressure
Survivors are never pressured to act before they are ready. We handle sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis, which means the survivor pays nothing unless we recover compensation. The initial consultation is free, confidential, and available at any time.
Knowledge of Florida's Extended Filing Deadlines
Many survivors believe the statute of limitations has expired on their claim. Florida law provides extended and, in some cases, eliminated filing deadlines for sexual abuse cases. Under Florida Statute § 95.11(9), a civil claim for sexual battery involving a victim under 16 has no statute of limitations. Our attorneys evaluate every available filing window before advising a survivor on their options.
The Challenges Survivors Face and How We Address Them
Filing a civil claim for sexual abuse involves obstacles that most personal injury cases do not. Our attorneys have handled these challenges across Palm Beach County and South Florida.
- Fear of being identified publicly: Florida courts may allow survivors to proceed anonymously. We request pseudonym protections at the outset of every case where the survivor's identity is a concern.
- Belief that too much time has passed: Florida's filing deadlines for sexual abuse claims are more expansive than most people realize. Childhood victims may file with no deadline. Adult survivors may have four years from the date of discovery. Our team reviews the timeline during a confidential consultation.
- Institutional power and intimidation: Schools, churches, healthcare systems, and large organizations have legal departments designed to protect the institution. We level that imbalance by building cases strong enough to withstand institutional resistance.
- Emotional difficulty of revisiting the trauma: Our attorneys work at the survivor's pace. We gather evidence, communicate with opposing counsel, and manage the legal process so the survivor does not have to relive the experience at every turn.
- Assumption that a criminal conviction is required: A civil lawsuit does not depend on criminal charges. The burden of proof is lower (preponderance of the evidence vs. beyond a reasonable doubt), and a survivor may file even if the abuser was never arrested or prosecuted.
Each of these obstacles has a solution. The first step is a confidential conversation with an attorney who understands the legal landscape and the emotional weight of these cases.
Who Can File a Sexual Abuse Claim in West Palm Beach
If you experienced sexual abuse in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, or anywhere in South Florida, you may have grounds for a civil claim. Eligibility depends on the circumstances, but the following situations commonly support legal action.
- Childhood sexual abuse survivors: Survivors who were abused as minors may file a civil claim regardless of their current age, particularly if the abuse constituted sexual battery and occurred before the age of 16.
- Adult survivors of sexual assault: Adults who experienced sexual abuse may file within four years of the last incident or within four years of discovering the connection between the abuse and their injuries.
- Survivors abused in institutional settings: If the abuse occurred in a school, church, care facility, hospital, youth program, or workplace, the institution may be liable for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or failure to report.
- Survivors of abuse by authority figures: Teachers, coaches, clergy, therapists, medical providers, and caregivers who used their position of trust to commit abuse may be held individually liable, and the organizations that employed them may share responsibility.
- Family members of survivors: In cases involving minors or incapacitated adults, a parent, guardian, or legal representative may file the claim on behalf of the survivor.
Our attorneys evaluate each case during a free consultation to determine which claims apply and which defendants may be held responsible.
Types of Sexual Abuse Cases Our West Palm Beach Attorneys Handle
Sexual abuse occurs across a wide range of settings. The institutional context shapes the legal theory, the liable parties, and the available damages.
Abuse in West Palm Beach Schools and Educational Institutions
Schools owe a duty of care to every student. When a teacher, coach, administrator, or staff member sexually abuses a student, and the school failed to screen, supervise, or respond to warning signs, the school district or private institution may face civil liability. Palm Beach County has seen significant sexual abuse settlements involving school employees, and our attorneys hold these institutions to the standard of care Florida law requires.
Abuse in Churches and Religious Organizations
Religious institutions that concealed abuse, transferred known offenders, or discouraged reporting have faced substantial civil liability in Florida. We represent survivors of clergy abuse, volunteer misconduct, and abuse in church-affiliated programs. Our attorneys approach these cases with respect for the survivor's personal beliefs while pursuing full accountability from the institution.
Abuse in Nursing Homes and Care Facilities in West Palm Beach
Elderly and disabled residents are among the most vulnerable populations. Under Florida Statute § 400.022, nursing home residents have the right to be free from sexual abuse. When a facility fails to protect a resident, whether the abuser is a staff member or another resident, we pursue claims under both negligence and the Nursing Home Residents' Bill of Rights.
Abuse in Youth Sports Programs and Camps
Coaches, trainers, and camp counselors hold authority over children in settings where supervision may be inconsistent. Organizations that fail to conduct background checks, ignore complaints, or allow unsupervised access to minors may face civil claims when abuse occurs.
Abuse in Medical and Therapeutic Settings
Doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors who abuse patients in the course of treatment exploit one of the most vulnerable professional relationships. The medical facility or practice that employed the provider may share liability for negligent credentialing or failure to investigate complaints.
Abuse Resulting from Negligent Security
Sexual assaults that occur on commercial property, in apartment complexes, parking garages, hotels, or nightclubs, may give rise to a premises liability claim against the property owner. Inadequate lighting, broken locks, absent security cameras, and failure to employ security personnel may all constitute negligent security that contributed to the assault.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Sexual Abuse Civil Claim
A successful civil claim for sexual abuse may recover compensation across multiple categories of damages.
- Therapy and counseling costs: Past and future mental health treatment directly related to the abuse, including trauma therapy, psychiatric care, and medication.
- Medical expenses: Treatment for physical injuries caused by the abuse, including emergency care, surgical procedures, and ongoing medical management.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Income lost due to the psychological impact of the abuse, including inability to work, career disruption, and diminished future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: The emotional anguish, fear, humiliation, and loss of quality of life the survivor has experienced from the time of the abuse forward.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving egregious conduct by the abuser or knowing concealment by an institution, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Our attorneys work with mental health professionals and economists to thoroughly document these damages. The long-term impact of sexual abuse is often undervalued by insurance companies and institutional defendants, and we refuse to accept figures that do not reflect the reality of the harm.
FAQ for West Palm Beach Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Can I file a civil lawsuit if I was never willing to report the abuse to police?
Yes. A civil lawsuit is a separate legal proceeding from criminal prosecution. A survivor does not need to file a police report, press criminal charges, or obtain a conviction to pursue a civil claim. The civil system operates independently and uses a lower standard of proof.
How does the statute of limitations work for childhood sexual abuse in Florida?
For sexual battery involving a victim under 16, § 95.11(9) eliminates the filing deadline entirely for claims not already time-barred before July 1, 2010. For other childhood abuse, the survivor may file within seven years after turning 18, four years after leaving the abuser's dependency, or four years after discovering the connection between the abuse and their injury, whichever period expires last.
Will my name become public if I file a lawsuit?
Not necessarily. Florida courts may allow survivors to file under pseudonyms to protect their identity. Our attorneys request these protections at the start of the case when privacy is a concern, and the court grants them in the majority of sexual abuse cases.
What if the abuser has died or has no money?
A civil claim often targets the institution that enabled the abuse rather than the individual abuser alone. Schools, churches, care facilities, and employers typically carry insurance, and their liability for negligent hiring, supervision, or concealment exists independently of the abuser's personal assets or presence.
Can I file a claim against a government-run institution in Florida?
Claims against government entities in Florida involve specific procedural requirements, including a notice of claim under § 768.28 and sovereign immunity limits. These claims are viable but follow a different timeline and damages framework. Our attorneys determine whether sovereign immunity applies and how to structure the claim accordingly.
How long does a sexual abuse civil case typically take?
Timelines vary based on the complexity of the case, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Some claims resolve within a year through negotiation. Institutional cases involving extensive discovery may take two to four years. Our attorneys set realistic expectations during the initial consultation.
Do I have to testify in court?
Many sexual abuse civil cases settle before trial, and the survivor may not need to testify at all. If the case does proceed to trial, our attorneys prepare survivors thoroughly and advocate for accommodations that reduce the emotional burden of testifying.
You Have Carried This Long Enough
The abuse may have happened years ago or weeks ago. The abuser may still be in a position of power or may be long gone. The institution that failed to protect you may still be operating, still placing others at risk.
None of those variables changes the fundamental fact: what happened was wrong, and Florida law provides a path to accountability.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers handles sexual abuse civil claims throughout West Palm Beach and South Florida with the confidentiality, compassion, and legal precision these cases demand.
Call (561) 800-8000 any time, day or night, for a free consultation in English, Spanish, or Creole.
The conversation is confidential. The decision is yours.
