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Statute of Limitations for School Sexual Abuse in NY

Under New York's Child Victims Act (CPLR 214-g), survivors of school sexual abuse may file a civil lawsuit until age 55 — and you don't have to face this alone.

Laurence P. Banville Reviewed by Laurence P. Banville, Esq. Last updated June 2026
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Laurence P. Banville, New York personal injury attorney
Laurence P. Banville Managing Partner · NY & D.C. Bars

Frequently asked questions

Can I still file a civil lawsuit if the school sexual abuse happened years ago?

Yes. Under CPLR 214-g (the Child Victims Act), survivors of childhood sexual abuse in New York can file a civil claim until age 55, or within 2.5 years of discovering that the abuse caused a psychological or physical injury — whichever is later. You may still have time even if the abuse occurred decades ago.

Can a school be held responsible even if the abuser was never criminally charged?

Absolutely. Civil liability is entirely independent of any criminal case. A school can be held accountable through negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or negligent retention — meaning the institution may be liable for failing to protect students, regardless of what happened in a criminal court.

Is my conversation with Banville Law confidential?

Yes. Attorney-client privilege protects every conversation you have with Banville Law from the very first contact. Nothing you share will be disclosed without your consent, and there is no obligation to proceed — you decide the next steps, at your pace.

What if I am not ready to talk about the details yet?

Coming forward takes courage, and you are in control of this process. You do not need to recount every detail right away — a referring attorney can reach out to Banville Law on your behalf to explore your options without pressure.

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Laurence P. Banville

Reviewed by Laurence P. Banville, Esq.

Managing Partner, Banville Law · New York & D.C. Bars

Laurence Banville is a New York personal injury attorney and the Managing Partner of Banville Law. Born in County Wexford, Ireland, he earned his law degree summa cum laude from University College Dublin and once defended insurance companies in product-liability litigation — experience he now uses for injured New Yorkers. He has been named to the Irish Legal 100 and the Irish Echo’s Top 40 Under 40, and is an AVVO Rated attorney.

NY Bar D.C. Bar Irish Legal 100 AVVO Rated AAJ Member

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Laurence P. Banville, Esq., New York personal injury attorney
Laurence P. Banville, Esq. Managing Partner — he personally reviews every case review request.
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