Church Abuse ClaimsAttorneys

Church Abuse Claims by State

Filing deadlines and rules vary significantly by state. Select your state for specific information.

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California

No time limit for abuse on or after January 1, 2024; earlier abuse generally by age 40.

New York

Childhood sexual abuse claims until age 55; the revival window closed in August 2021.

New Jersey

Until age 55, or seven years from discovery; the revival window has closed.

Pennsylvania

Until age 55 for childhood sexual abuse; age 30 for abuse at ages 18 to 23.

Illinois

No time limit, unless the claim had already expired before January 1, 2014.

Maryland

No time limit for childhood sexual abuse, including previously expired claims.

Massachusetts

Within 35 years of the abuse, or seven years from discovering the harm.

Connecticut

Until age 51 for abuse suffered before age 21.

Louisiana

No time limit; previously expired claims revived until June 14, 2027.

Texas

Within 30 years, which generally means by age 48.

Florida

No time limit for sexual battery of a child under 16, with exceptions.

Michigan

By age 28, or three years from discovering the injury and its link to the abuse.

Minnesota

Generally no time limit for sexual abuse of someone under 18.

Colorado

No time limit for abuse on or after January 1, 2022, and some earlier claims.

Washington

No time limit for abuse on or after June 6, 2024.

Don't see your state? Contact us — we handle claims nationwide.

Further Reading

State Law Notice: Laws governing civil claims for religious institution abuse vary significantly by state. Filing deadlines, lookback windows, and available defendants differ depending on where the abuse occurred and your current state of residence. The information on this page is general in nature. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon without first speaking to a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a church abuse claim?
It depends on the state where the abuse happened. Some states have no time limit for childhood sexual abuse, while others allow claims until a set age, such as 48, 51 or 55. Select your state above for its current rule.
Which states have no statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse?
Among the states we cover, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota and Illinois generally have no time limit for childhood sexual abuse claims, Florida has none for sexual battery of a child under 16, and California, Colorado and Washington have none for abuse after certain recent dates. Each has conditions, so check the state page.
Which state’s law applies to my claim?
Usually the law of the state where the abuse happened, although where the church or institution is based can also matter. Moving to another state does not usually change the deadline.
What if my state is not listed?
We review cases from anywhere in the United States. Contact us and we will check the rules that apply to your situation.
Do state deadlines apply if the diocese is in bankruptcy?
If the diocese or church is in bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court’s claim deadline controls claims against it, whatever the state deadline would be.

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