Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you were harmed in Pennsylvania, you can speak with a survivor-first attorney here, privately and at your own pace. You set the speed; we handle the law.
Your local attorneyEric Weitz, Esq.
Justice in Pennsylvania
You can pursue accountability in Pennsylvania, and you do not have to do it alone.
If you were sexually abused in Pennsylvania, you may have the right to bring a civil claim against the person who harmed you and, in many cases, the institution that enabled it. Pennsylvania has reformed its laws in recent years to give more survivors a path to the courtroom, and a local attorney can tell you in plain language whether your claim is still open and what it would involve.
A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It is yours to control. Its purpose is recognition of what happened, accountability for those responsible, and resources for your healing, on terms you decide. You are believed here, and the first conversation is confidential and free.
Time limits do apply, and they vary by state. Many states have recently expanded or reopened the window to file. A free, confidential call simply tells you where you stand — no pressure, no obligation.
Your local attorney
Eric H. Weitz, Esq.
The Weitz Firm, LLC
- 1515 Market Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19102
- Admitted: Pennsylvania, 1992 · Bar #PA Attorney ID 65514
- Villanova University School of Law, J.D. cum laude (1992)
Eric H. Weitz is the founder of The Weitz Firm, LLC in Philadelphia and a nationally recognized trial lawyer with more than 30 years of courtroom experience. Admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1992, he earned his J.D. cum laude from Villanova University School of Law and his B.S. cum laude from Syracuse University.
Mr. Weitz serves as President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, the statewide trial lawyers association, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Advocacy and a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. His firm handles complex civil litigation, including cases involving institutional negligence and survivors of abuse, with the same rigor he brings to his multi-million-dollar trial record.
Handles: Child sexual abuse, Institutional & clergy abuse, Sexual assault, Catastrophic injury & civil rights
Why survivors trust us
Real attorneys. Proven results. Quiet strength.
Deadlines in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for sexual abuse, in plain terms.
Pennsylvania gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until their 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit, a window expanded by Act 87 of 2019. Survivors abused as adults generally have a shorter civil deadline. Because the rules turn on your age when the abuse happened and when the law changed, the only reliable answer comes from a lawyer who reviews your specific facts.
- Child sexual abuse (civil): Act 87 of 2019 extended the civil deadline so that many survivors abused as minors can file until age 55.
- Child sexual abuse (criminal): Pennsylvania has eliminated the time limit to prosecute many serious sexual offenses against children going forward, and allows prosecution of others up to the victim's 55th birthday.
- Adults abused as adults (civil): a shorter limitations period typically applies, often measured in a small number of years from the assault.
- Older or expired claims: a retroactive "look-back window" for claims that previously timed out has been debated in Harrisburg but is subject to ongoing legislative and constitutional change, so always confirm current law before assuming your claim is closed.
This is general information, not legal advice; deadlines depend on the facts of each case.
What we handle in Pennsylvania
Cases our Pennsylvania attorney pursues
If your experience is not listed here, ask anyway. Many abuse cases involve institutions that failed to protect you.
Child sexual abuse
Civil claims for survivors abused as children, including delayed-disclosure cases reached by Pennsylvania's expanded deadlines.
Clergy & religious institution abuse
Accountability for abuse within churches, dioceses, and faith organizations across Pennsylvania, including those named in grand jury reports.
School & youth program abuse
Cases involving schools, coaches, camps, and youth-serving organizations that failed to supervise or protect children.
Institutional & facility abuse
Abuse in hospitals, treatment centers, foster care, and residential facilities where staff or oversight failed survivors.
Simple & safe
How it works
Reach out privately
Call or fill out a short, confidential form. Tell us only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We listen & match you
We connect you with an attorney licensed in your state who handles your type of case.
You decide what’s next
Your free consultation is no-obligation. If you move forward, there’s no fee unless you win.
Pennsylvania FAQ
Common questions from Pennsylvania survivors
Can I still file a sexual abuse claim in Pennsylvania?
Possibly yes, even if the abuse happened long ago. Pennsylvania's Act 87 of 2019 lets many survivors abused as children file civil claims until age 55, and the law continues to evolve. The only way to know if your specific claim is open is to have an attorney review your facts, which costs nothing.
Can I sue an institution in Pennsylvania, not just the abuser?
Often, yes. Pennsylvania law may allow claims against a school, church, diocese, employer, or facility that hired, supervised, or protected the abuser, or that ignored warning signs. Institutional claims are central to many of the cases we handle, and they frequently lead to broader accountability and resources.
What is Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for child sexual abuse?
Under Act 87 of 2019, many survivors abused as children in Pennsylvania can file a civil lawsuit until they turn 55. The exact deadline depends on your age when the abuse occurred and when the law applied to your case, so confirm your specific timeline with an attorney before assuming it has passed.
How much does a Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. These cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no fee unless your case results in a recovery. The first consultation is free and confidential, so cost is never a reason to delay reaching out.
Will my case be kept confidential?
Yes. Your first conversation is private, and your information goes only to our Pennsylvania intake team. Many civil claims are resolved confidentially, and your attorney can discuss steps to protect your identity throughout the process. You control how much is shared and when.
Will I have to testify or go to court in Pennsylvania?
Most cases resolve without a trial. If your case does proceed, your attorney prepares and supports you at every step, and protections exist to make testimony less daunting. You are never thrown into a courtroom unprepared, and your comfort guides the pace.
Do I need to have reported the abuse to the police to file a civil claim?
No. A civil claim is independent of any criminal case, and you can pursue one whether or not the abuse was ever reported or prosecuted. A police report can help, but its absence does not prevent you from seeking civil accountability in Pennsylvania.
How long does a Pennsylvania sexual abuse case take?
It varies with the facts, the institutions involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some resolve in months and others take longer. Your attorney will give you a realistic timeline for your situation and keep you informed, so you are never left wondering.
Free & confidential
Talk to a Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer
Your message goes privately to our Pennsylvania intake team. There is no cost and no obligation, and you decide what happens next.
- 100% confidential — your privacy is protected
- No fee unless we win your case
- You stay in control of every step
Prefer to talk now? (877) 421-9608
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You don’t have to carry this alone.
Take the first step on your terms. A free, confidential conversation could be the start of getting the justice and support you deserve.