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You deserved to be safe. When someone takes that from you, Flager Law will fight to hold them accountable and pursue every dollar of compensation the law allows.
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No fees unless we win. Your information is always confidential.
INTRO / OVERVIEW
Sexual assault is one of the most devastating violations a person can experience. Beyond the physical harm, survivors face emotional trauma, psychological injury, financial loss and a legal system that can feel overwhelming to navigate alone.
At Flager Law, we represent survivors throughout Greater Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and surrounding communities. Our attorneys pursue civil claims against violators and against the institutions, employers, property owners and organizations whose negligence allowed the assault to happen.
A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal case. You do not need a conviction or even an arrest to pursue compensation. Civil claims can move forward even when a criminal case is dropped or never filed, giving survivors a powerful path to justice on their own terms.
We handle every case with strict confidentiality. We will never pressure you, and we offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can explore your options before making any decision.
YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS AS A SURVIVOR
What Is a Civil Sexual Assault Claim?
Pennsylvania law gives sexual assault survivors the right to file a civil lawsuit for monetary compensation completely separate from the criminal justice process. Where criminal cases focus on punishing the offender, a civil claim focuses on making you whole.
In a civil case, the burden of proof is lower than in criminal court. You do not need to prove your case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The civil standard is a “preponderance of the evidence” meaning it is more likely than not that the assault occurred and caused your damages. This matters because it means more survivors can obtain justice in civil court even when the criminal system falls short.
CASES WE HANDLE
Types of Sexual Assault Cases
Flager Law handles a wide range of sexual assault civil claims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including:
Many of these claims involve third-party liability, meaning we pursue not just the perpetrator, but the company, property owner, school, religious institution, or other organization whose failure to act created the conditions for the assault.
WHO CAN BE HELD LIABLE
Institutions and Third Parties We Pursue
Sexual assault is rarely just the fault of one person. Institutions and property owners are often liable when they:
Liable parties may include employers, schools, universities, churches and dioceses, hotels and venues, healthcare systems, rideshare companies, sports organizations and government agencies. Identifying every responsible party including those with deep pockets and insurance coverage is one of the most critical things an experienced attorney does.
TIME LIMITS — DON’T WAIT
Civil Statutes of Limitations in Pennsylvania
Civil courts and criminal courts operate alongside each other within our justice system but serve very different purposes. The criminal courts are designed to be abuser-focused. They are built around the core principles of preserving the accused person’s rights, determining their guilt, and deciding the punishment to be imposed after a conviction or guilty plea. While criminal courts can and frequently do order a guilty party to pay restitution to an innocent party to cover the cost of things like property damage and medical bills from physical injuries, an order of restitution becomes little more than a symbolic gesture for abuse survivors.
Civil courts, on the other hand, are designed to be restorative and survivor-focused. Civil courts cannot send an abuser to jail, but can compensate survivors for the harm they’ve suffered in a way criminal courts aren’t built to. Civil lawsuits enable survivors to seek financial compensation and hold the institutions who enabled their abusers accountable for negligence. To better support survivors’ efforts to seek justice and accountability, Act 87 made substantial changes to Pennsylvania’s civil statutes of limitations:
For Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Survivors born on after November 29, 1989 have until age 55 to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser or responsible institutions. Those born before that date may still have a viable case and should consult an attorney.
For Adult Sexual Assault Survivors: For survivors age 18 to 23 at the time of the assault, Pennsylvania law allows the survivor to file a civil lawsuit against any potentially responsible parties until their 30th birthday. For survivors age 24 and older, the statute of limitations for filing a civil claim is generally two years from the date of the assault.
Do not assume your time has passed. Cases that appear time-barred may still have options depending on discovery rules and the nature of the defendant. Flager Law will review your timeline at no charge.
WHAT YOU CAN RECOVER
Compensation Available to Survivors
Civil compensation is designed to address every way the assault has impacted your life. Recoverable damages include:
Economic Damages:
Non-Economic Damages:
Punitive Damages:
In cases involving extreme misconduct, particularly institutional cover-ups or deliberate indifference courts may award punitive damages to punish defendants and deter future harm. These can substantially increase total recovery.
WHY CHOOSE FLAGER LAW
Aggressive, High-Stakes Litigation
Flager Law has built a reputation across Bucks County and the Greater Philadelphia for taking on difficult, high-value personal injury cases and winning. Our family treats you like family. We bring that same results-driven approach to sexual assault claims and we are not afraid to take cases to trial.
We Pursue Every Responsible Party
We don’t stop at the individual perpetrator. We investigate every institution, employer, and property owner whose negligence contributed to the assault and we go after the deepest pockets available to maximize your recovery.
Strict Confidentiality
Your privacy is protected at every step. We handle every consultation and every case with complete discretion. We will never share your information or pressure you to move forward before you are ready.
No Fees Unless We Win
You pay nothing upfront. Our contingency fee structure means we only get paid when you do. There is no financial risk to contacting us and no obligation after your free consultation.
Compassionate, Survivor-Centered Service
We understand that reaching out is one of the hardest steps. Our team listens without judgment, explains your options clearly and lets you lead the pace. You will never feel like a case number at Flager Law.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a police report to file a civil lawsuit?
No. A police report is not required to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors choose not to report for a variety of reasons, and that does not affect their civil rights. Any documentation you have medical records, texts, photos , can help, but we work with cases at every stage.
What if the perpetrator was never charged or convicted?
A civil claim does not depend on a criminal conviction. The burden of proof in civil court is lower, and we build our case independently. We have helped survivors recover significant compensation in cases where no criminal charges were ever filed.
Can I still file a claim if the assault happened years ago?
Possibly, yes. Pennsylvania has significantly extended its statutes of limitations for sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse claims. Do not assume your window has closed , contact us for a free review of your specific timeline.
Will I have to testify publicly?
Not necessarily. Many cases settle before reaching trial. If your case goes to court, we prepare you fully and explore every available protection for your privacy, including in-camera testimony and victim confidentiality procedures.
What does it cost to hire Flager Law?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Period.
Can I file a claim against a school, church, or other institution?
Yes. Institutional liability claims are among the most important cases we handle. Schools, religious organizations, healthcare systems and employers can be held responsible when their negligence enabled the assault and these institutions often carry substantial insurance coverage.
What if the assault happened to my child?
Flager Law handles child sexual abuse cases, including claims brought by adult survivors of childhood abuse. Pennsylvania law gives survivors until age 55 to file a civil claim. If your minor child was recently harmed, additional urgent options may apply contact us immediately.
What if I was assaulted in New Jersey?
Our attorneys handle civil sexual assault claims on both sides of the Delaware River. If you were assaulted in New Jersey, including Mercer, Hunterdon, Camden, Burlington or Gloucester County contact us to discuss your options under NJ law.
You Are Not Alone. Our Family is Ready to Fight for You.
Taking legal action after sexual assault is a deeply personal decision. There is no right or wrong timeline. But when you are ready to explore your options, Flager Law is here , with experienced attorneys, a compassionate team and the resources to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We are a family and we will treat you like family.
Serving survivors throughout Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Camden County (NJ), Mercery County (NJ), Hunterdon County (NJ), Gloucester County (NJ) and surrounding communities.
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Phone: Available 24/7- (215) 953-5200
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