Epstein Files Released: Victims’ Attorney and Experts Weigh In
What Kinds of Sexual Abuse Cases Do We Handle?
We handle civil sexual abuse cases against the institutions and individuals responsible for the harm, no matter where in the country the abuse happened. Our attorneys concentrate their practice on the areas below, and each one connects to a dedicated page with more on how we approach that kind of case.
- Church and clergy abuse. We have spent years pursuing clergy abuse claims against Catholic dioceses and other religious organizations, exposing predators and the records meant to hide them.
- Child sexual abuse. Our team represents adult and child survivors in child sexual abuse cases, including claims that reach back many years.
- School and university abuse. When teachers, coaches, or staff harm students, we hold schools and universities accountable for the systems that allowed it.
- Doctors and healthcare providers. We stand with patients harmed by physicians, therapists, and other healthcare providers who violated their trust.
- Youth sports abuse. From cheer programs to club teams, we represent athletes harmed in youth sports settings.
- Massage therapist abuse. We are a national voice for clients abused at massage and spa businesses, including large chains.
- Daycare and childcare abuse. We help families whose children were harmed at daycare and preschool facilities.
- Cruise ship abuse. We pursue cruise line accountability when passengers and crew members are assaulted at sea.
If your situation does not fit neatly into one of these categories, that is all right. Call us and we will listen, then tell you honestly whether we can help.
Schedule a Free ConsultationA Track Record of Holding Powerful Institutions Accountable
Notable results and cases
Our results come from decades of taking on organizations that many lawyers avoid, and the same approach runs through every case: name what happened, follow it to everyone responsible, and refuse to let size or reputation shield an institution.
- A $70 million jury verdict. In February 2018, our managing partner Adam Horowitz and his colleagues obtained a jury verdict of more than $70 million for a young woman raped while working aboard a yacht. It stands as one of the largest verdicts ever recorded for an individual survivor of sexual assault.
- Nationwide clergy abuse litigation. Adam helped bring the Catholic Church clergy abuse scandal into public view by litigating priest abuse cases against dioceses across the country. That work forced confidential church records into the open and prevailed on difficult questions of the statute of limitations and the First Amendment.
- A national voice on the massage industry. Our firm has pressed large spa chains to answer for harm done to their clients, helping surface abuse that had gone unaddressed for years.
- A landmark federal precedent. In Elk v. United States, Adam set new precedent for Native American survivors under a treaty more than 140 years old.
Together, these cases reflect the thousands of survivors we have represented against churches, private schools, medical practices, cruise lines, and high-profile individuals.
Schedule a Free ConsultationA Nationwide Sexual Abuse Law Firm, Rooted in the Courtroom
Survivors call us from every corner of the country, and we are set up to help wherever the harm occurred. As a survivor-side sexual abuse law firm, we file and litigate cases in courts nationwide and coordinate with trusted local counsel when a case calls for it. Distance is rarely the obstacle people fear it will be.
Each state writes its own rules for these claims, from filing deadlines to which institutions can be held responsible. Our attorneys track how those laws differ and how they keep changing, so you do not have to sort through them alone.
For families looking into childhood abuse, the Child Welfare Information Gateway from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gathers state statutes and background in one place.
What stays the same, in every state, is how we treat the people who trust us. You get a team that listens first, communicates clearly, and keeps your goals at the center of every decision. Wherever you are, that is the standard you can expect.
Schedule a Free ConsultationUnderstanding and Reporting Sexual Assault
FAQs about Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
What is the difference between a criminal case and a civil sexual abuse lawsuit?
A criminal case is brought by the government to punish the person who committed a crime, and it can result in jail or probation. A civil sexual abuse lawsuit is one you bring yourself, and it seeks accountability and financial recovery from the responsible parties.
The two are separate, so you may have a civil claim even if no one was ever criminally charged. A civil case also uses a different standard of proof, which is part of why survivors can sometimes recover in civil court even when a criminal case did not move forward.
Who can be held responsible besides the person who committed the abuse?
Often, more than one party shares responsibility for abuse. Along with the individual who caused harm, the institution that employed, supervised, or protected that person, such as a church, school, or business, may also be held accountable.
For example, if a supervisor received complaints about an employee and did nothing, that decision may become part of your claim. Our attorneys work to identify every party who should answer for what happened.
Is there a deadline to file a sexual abuse claim?
Most claims are governed by a legal deadline called the statute of limitations, and it varies from state to state. Many states have recently expanded or removed these deadlines for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, giving people who were harmed years ago a new chance to come forward.
Because these laws change and depend on where the abuse happened, it is worth asking us about your situation.
Do you take cases outside of Florida?
Yes. While our office is based in Florida, we represent survivors nationwide and regularly handle cases in courts across the country. Wherever you are, you can reach us at 888-283-9922 to talk about your options.
What does it cost to work with a sexual abuse lawyer?
Your first consultation is always free, and we handle these cases on a contingency basis. That means there is never a fee unless we win your case, so you do not pay anything out of pocket to get started. Cost should never stand between a survivor and the chance to be heard.
What if the abuse happened many years ago?
Many survivors do not come forward until long after the abuse, and that is completely understandable. Coming forward later does not mean your experience matters less, and it does not automatically close the door on a claim.
Changes in the law have opened new paths for people harmed decades ago, especially in childhood abuse cases. We encourage you to call, even if you assume too much time has passed, so we can look at the facts with you.
Will I have to go to court or testify?
Not necessarily. Many sexual abuse cases resolve through a settlement without a trial, and we prepare every case with your comfort and safety in mind. We also work to shield you from unnecessary contact with the person who caused harm and handle the procedural steps ourselves.
If your case does move toward court, we will stand beside you and prepare you for each part of it.
Areas We Serve
Serving All of Florida
At Horowitz Law, our experienced Florida sexual abuse lawyers fight for survivors and pursue justice across Florida, including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Fort Myers.