New Jersey Statute of Limitations

Court House

On December 1, 2019, the State of New Jersey’s new legislation significantly extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims. It becomes effective creating a two-year filing window (December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021) for sexual abuse claims that would otherwise be time-barred by the previous statute of limitations. If you have been a victim of child sexual assault/abuse in The State of New Jersey, regardless of when it happened you have the right to investigate if you can file a claim. Please visit our FAQs below. If you are in need of assistance, resources or have additional questions please email us at [email protected]

FAQ

TWO YEAR WINDOW: Victims who previously could not file lawsuits because of the statute of limitations would have a new two-year window — from Dec. 1, 2019, to Nov. 30, 2021 — to file their cases, even if they are over the age of 55.After November 30, 2021 the law will allow adults who were sexually assaulted as children to bring a civil suit up until they turn 55 or seven years after they make “the discovery” connecting their emotional and psychological injury to their abuse. Adult sexual assault victims will get seven years to file a civil lawsuit, instead of the current two-year time limit

Any adult that was sexually assaulted/abused as a child in the state of New Jersey

The New Jersey Compensation Fund for Victims of Church Sexual Abuse of Minors will evaluate claims of abuse and offer settlements to victims. This is separate

You can speak with an attorney that is licensed in the state of New Jersey

Each case is different depending on the circumstances and it would be best to discuss this with an attorney

If you have been a victim of a sexual assault it is best to discuss the case with a legal professional who will assist you in providing the details.

Each case is different depending on the circumstances and it would be best to discuss this with an attorney

You would want to discuss this with an attorney

Abuse of a child shall consist in any of the following acts: (a) disposing of the custody of a child contrary to law; (b) employing or permitting a child to be employed in any vocation or employment injurious to its health or dangerous to its life or limb, or contrary to the laws of this State; (c) employing or permitting a child to be employed in any occupation, employment or vocation dangerous to the morals of such child; (d) the habitual use by the parent or by a person having the custody and control of a child, in the hearing of such child, of profane, indecent or obscene language; (e) the performing of any indecent, immoral or unlawful act or deed, in the presence of a child, that may tend to debauch or endanger or degrade the morals of the child; (f) permitting or allowing any other person to perform any indecent, immoral or unlawful act in the presence of the child that may tend to debauch or endanger the morals of such child; (g) using excessive physical restraint on the child under circumstances which do not indicate that the child’s behavior is harmful to himself, others or property; or (h) in an institution as defined in section 1 of P.L.1974, c. 119 (C. 9:6-8.21), willfully isolating the child from ordinary social contact under circumstances which indicate emotional or social deprivation.

The change in the statute of limitatons includes all victims of a sexual assault if you were a minor regardless of who the perpetrator was

You would want to discuss any legal costs with the attorney that you reach out to at the time of your initial discussion

The statute mandates that the abuse happened in the state of New Jersey regardless of where the victim or perpetrator resided/resides

The statute mandates that the abuse happened in the state of New Jersey regardless of where the victim or perpetrator resided/resides. If you have been a victim of a sexual assault as a minor you can discuss your case with a legal professional who can assist with taking down the details of the case even if you don’t know where the perpetrator lives.

Working with a legal or medical professional will help you determine the circumstances of your specific situation

You can speak with a legal or medical professional. If you need assistance locating one you can speak with a trusted family member, friend, or agency like HPF

Since abuse and its impact varies from person to person it is best to speak with a medical professional