The New Jersey Senate and Assembly have approved a bill lifting the civil statute of limitations on certain sexual offenses. The Bill is presently in Governor Murphy’s office where it waits his signature to become law.
If signed, the law would go into effect on December 1, 2019.
The bill would provide the following measures:
- A two-year window from enactment for the filing of any civil case alleging adult or minor sexual abuse that occurred in the past;
- That those who were sexually abused in the past as minors who miss the two-year filing window be able to bring their cause of action until the age of 55;
- That those 55 and older who allege delays in connecting past abuse to damages have an opportunity to seek justice through the courts, which would be a period of seven years from the date they made that connection.
The legislation, which has been on New Jersey lawmakers’ radar for almost a decade, comes soon after the state’s five Roman Catholic dioceses released the names of 188 priests credibly accused sexually abusing minors over decades. With this statement, they also announced last month that they created a compensation fund for the victims.
According to Child USA, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit research and advocacy group, approximately three-quarters of states have amended their statutes of limitations for child sex abuse cases since 2002.
If you or a loved one have be sexually abused or assaulted, or recently realized that abuse had happened in the past, it is important to understand that you have a right to obtain restitution for your injuries and suffering, both physical and emotional. Stark & Stark’s sexual abuse representation attorneys work with victims to obtain them the compensation and justice they deserve.
