On Wednesday, August 14th, New York will open a one-year, one-time-only period where victims can file lawsuits against their abusers and the institutions that harbored them, regardless of how long ago the abuse took place, and even if the statute of limitations is long expired. This window of opportunity is short, and may never come again.
If you were abused in New York, this one-year window of opportunity is a potential chance at justice.
Make no mistake, the litigation process can be long and difficult. However, if you want to move forward with a lawsuit against your abuser and those who enabled him or her, DO NOT WAIT! You should contact an attorney you trust ASAP. Not sure if you want to sue? Contact a lawyer for guidance.
Personal injury cases are handled on what is called a contingency basis: that is, the lawyer is paid out of the recovery. You will not have to lay out a dime for the attorney up front. If the attorney does not secure a settlement or judgment for you, the lawyer gets nothing.
How do you find an attorney? We recommend that you contact SNAP, or one of the NY SNAP Leaders for recommendations. The most important part of selecting an attorney is finding someone you trust, and SNAP leaders can help you find and research attorneys so you can determine who is the best fit for you.
But whatever you do, DO NOT WAIT! There may not be another such chance in your lifetime.
