Orlando Sexual Abuse Lawyers

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you were likely made to feel that your voice doesn’t matter. This is a common response to trauma, but it is not the truth. The Florida civil justice system offers a specific path for you to seek accountability from the person who harmed you and from any institution that failed to protect you.

A civil claim acknowledges what you went through and aids you in securing the resources you need to heal. Our Orlando sexual abuse attorneys at Horowitz Law focus exclusively on helping survivors use the law to do just that.

If you have questions about what happened and what you can do now, we are here to listen. Call us for a free, completely confidential conversation at (954) 641-2100.

Why Trust Horowitz Law With Your Story?

For over two decades, our firm has maintained a single focus: representing survivors of sexual abuse in civil lawsuits. We don’t handle other types of personal injury cases. This dedication means we understand the specific challenges you face and have built a practice grounded in compassion and respect.

When you work with us, our role is simple:

• We handle all communication. You will not have to speak with the opposing lawyers or insurance adjusters. We manage every phone call, email, and letter.
• We build the case. We conduct the investigation, gather the necessary documents, interview witnesses, and hire experts to build a strong foundation for your claim.
• We shield you. We anticipate the defense's tactics—like requesting your private therapy notes or questioning your memory—and we fight to protect your privacy at every turn.
• We guide you. We explain each step of the process in plain language, so you always know what to expect and can make informed decisions.

Our founder, Adam Horowitz, has more than 25 years of experience exclusively in sexual abuse litigation. His work has set legal precedents, forcing institutions like the Catholic Church to disclose confidential records and creating new avenues for survivor justice. 

He holds an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating given by his peers for professional excellence and ethical standards. 

In 2024, survivor advocacy groups honored him with the Legacy of Justice Award for his "groundbreaking work on behalf of sexual abuse survivors."

Our Orlando office is located at 17 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801, 3 minutes from downtown Orlando, and a short walk from the Orange County Regional History Center.

What Does Justice Look Like? Understanding Compensation in a Civil Claim

The harm from sexual abuse is not just emotional. It creates real financial burdens, from therapy bills and medical treatments to lost income when you’re unable to work. A civil claim is designed to provide financial resources to help you rebuild your life.

In Florida, compensation is generally divided into three categories:

Economic Damages

This is straightforward reimbursement for your measurable financial losses.

• Medical and Therapy Bills: The past and future costs of psychological counseling, medical appointments, and any related care.
• Lost Wages: Income you lost from missing work, as well as the loss of future earning capacity if the trauma has affected your career.

Non-Economic Damages

This addresses the personal, intangible harm you have endured.

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical and emotional distress caused by the abuse.
• Emotional Distress: Compensation for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological impacts.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Acknowledges how the trauma has limited your ability to participate in and enjoy daily activities.

Punitive Damages

Sometimes, a court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to cover a loss. Their purpose is to punish an offender or institution for especially reckless or malicious behavior and to discourage similar conduct from happening again.

How Can a Civil Lawsuit Help You?

A civil lawsuit is a legal tool entirely separate from the criminal justice system. While a criminal case is pursued by the state to punish an offender with prison time, a civil claim has a different aim: to hold the abuser and any organization that enabled them financially accountable to you.

Think of it this way: the criminal system asks, "Did this person break the law?" The civil system asks, "Did this person's or institution's actions (or inaction) cause harm, and what is needed to repair that harm?"

Because the goals are different, the burden of proof is also different. In a criminal trial, a prosecutor must prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt", a very high standard. For a civil claim, we only need to show it is "more likely than not" that the abuse occurred. This lower standard means you may win a civil case even if criminal charges were never filed.

What Is Institutional Negligence?

Frequently, the focus of a civil claim is on the institution such as the school, church, or business, that allowed the abuse to happen. "Institutional negligence" is a legal concept that means an organization failed in its duty to keep people safe.

Examples of Institutional Negligence Include:

• Negligent Hiring: Hiring someone with a known history of abusive behavior or without conducting a proper background check.
• Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor employees or volunteers, which creates an opportunity for abuse.
• Failure to Report: Knowing about allegations of abuse and not reporting them to the proper authorities.
• Creating a Dangerous Environment: Promoting policies or a culture that enables or covers up misconduct.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Florida?

The time limit to file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse is called the statute of limitations. For many recent cases, Florida law provides survivors with more time to come forward. An action for abuse may be started within 7 years after a survivor turns 18, within 4 years after the survivor is no longer dependent on the abuser, or within 4 years from the discovery of both the injury and its connection to the abuse, whichever is latest.

These timelines are not always straightforward. The deadline for your case depends on many factors, including your age when the abuse occurred and when you recognized the connection between the abuse and your injuries. While the law may allow for years, evidence like documents and witness memories can fade much faster, so it’s always best to start a claim as soon as possible.

The Institution's Response: What to Expect When You Come Forward

When you file a claim against an institution, you are also facing its insurance company and its legal team. These are businesses, and their objective is to protect their financial interests. This creates a direct conflict. While you are seeking accountability, their lawyers are working to minimize or deny your claim.

Their approach typically involves:

• Questioning Your Memory: They may suggest your recollection of events is unreliable or that you have misinterpreted what happened.
• Claiming Ignorance: The institution will almost always argue that it had no knowledge of the abuser's behavior and, therefore, is not responsible.
• Delaying the Process: The claim process is long and filled with paperwork. It's easy to get frustrated as bills mount, which can pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer just to be done with it.
• Requesting Private Records: They may try to get access to your therapy notes, medical history, or other personal records to argue that your emotional distress was caused by something other than the abuse.

Our job as your lawyers is to act as your shield. We manage all communications, build the evidence to prove the institution's responsibility, and protect your privacy every step of the way.

What Does the Civil Lawsuit Process Involve?

Here is a simplified look at the steps involved:

1. Investigation and Filing: We start by gathering evidence such as documents, witness statements, and expert opinions. Once we have a solid foundation, we file a formal Complaint with the court, which officially begins the lawsuit.
2. Discovery: This is the information-gathering phase. Both sides exchange documents and ask questions. A key part of discovery is the deposition, where you answer questions under oath. This happens in a conference room, not a courtroom, and we will be by your side the entire time to prepare you and protect you.
3. Negotiation and Mediation: Most sexual abuse cases are resolved through a settlement, not a trial. We will negotiate with the defense lawyers to reach a fair agreement. This may involve mediation, a confidential meeting where a neutral third party helps both sides find common ground.
4. Trial: If the institution refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial. We have a record of securing significant jury verdicts for our clients, and we will present your story with the dignity it deserves.

Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Rights From Home

While we handle the legal work, there are a few things you can do to strengthen your claim:

• Write It Down: If you are able, write down everything you remember about what happened in a private journal. Include dates, locations, names, and what was said. Your memory is a powerful form of evidence.
• Preserve Digital Evidence: Do not delete any text messages, emails, or social media messages related to the abuser or the events. Take screenshots and save them in a secure folder.
• Follow Your Treatment Plan: If you are seeing a therapist or doctor, continue with your recommended treatment. This creates a record of the ongoing impact of the trauma.
• Avoid Discussing Your Case: Do not post about your situation on social media or discuss details with anyone other than your therapist or your lawyers. Anything you say online can potentially be used by the other side.

Frequently Asked Questions for Orlando Sexual Abuse Survivors

Your Story Has Power. Let Us Help You Use It.

You may feel that no one will listen or that your options have run out. That is not true.

The law provides a clear path to hold people and institutions accountable for the harm they cause. Taking the first step starts the process of taking your power back.

To begin, simply call us for a confidential discussion. We will listen, we will answer your questions, and we will help you understand what comes next. Call (954) 641-2100.