Sexual Assault Attorneys in Indiana: Your Complete Legal Guide
Understanding Your Legal Rights in Indiana
Sexual assault survivors in Indiana have two distinct legal pathways: criminal prosecution and civil litigation. These systems operate independently. Even if criminal charges were never filed, dropped, or resulted in an acquittal, you retain the right to pursue a civil lawsuit against your abuser and any institution that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse. Civil cases require a lower burden of proof than criminal cases and can result in financial compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Indiana’s civil statute of limitations laws are among the most restrictive in the country, making it critical to consult an attorney as soon as you are ready. A qualified sexual abuse attorney can evaluate whether your claim is still viable, identify all responsible parties, and help you file anonymously to protect your privacy.
Indiana Criminal Statute of Limitations
Indiana’s criminal statutes of limitations govern how long prosecutors have to file charges after an offense. In recent years, Indiana has significantly expanded these windows for serious sexual offenses.
Under current Indiana law (I.C. § 35-41-4-2), as amended by HB 1267 effective July 1, 2025:
Level 1 and Level 2 felony rape and child molesting: No statute of limitations. Charges may be filed at any time, regardless of when the offense occurred. These are the most serious categories, typically involving force, weapons, serious bodily injury, or victims under 14.
Level 3 felony rape: Prosecution must begin within 15 years of the offense. Previously, this was a 5-year window. The new 15-year window applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025. DNA exception: if a Level 3 rape prosecution is otherwise time-barred, charges may still be filed within 10 years of discovering DNA evidence.
Level 3 and Level 4 felony child molesting: Prosecution may begin at any time before the victim reaches age 51. Previously, the limit was age 31.
Other adult sexual felonies: 5 years from the date of the offense, with limited DNA revival exceptions.
DNA revival provision: For offenses not otherwise time-barred, the 5-year clock restarts upon discovery of DNA evidence, a recording of the crime, or a confession.
Indiana’s criminal SOL reform has been incremental and ongoing. Advocacy organizations continue to push for elimination of all remaining time limits.
Indiana Civil Statute of Limitations
Civil statutes of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits are governed separately from criminal deadlines under I.C. § 34-11-2-4. Indiana’s civil SOL laws are widely considered among the least favorable to survivors in the United States.
Adult survivors abused as adults: 2 years from the date of the assault to file a civil lawsuit.
Discovery rule for adult survivors: If the victim did not discover the connection between the abuse and resulting injuries until later, the 2-year clock may begin from the date of discovery rather than the date of the assault.
Child victims (childhood abuse): 7 years from the date of the abuse, OR 7 years after the victim turns 18, whichever provides more time. In most cases, this means victims have until approximately age 25 to file.
Dependent victims: For victims who remained dependent on or in the custody of the abuser, the deadline may extend to 4 years after the dependence or custody ends, up to the general 7-year maximum.
Repressed memory exception: For childhood abuse survivors who repressed memories and did not recall the abuse until adulthood, Indiana courts have recognized a discovery rule allowing 7 years from the time the survivor discovered or reasonably should have discovered the abuse.
No lookback window: Indiana has not enacted a retroactive lookback window allowing survivors with expired deadlines to file new claims. Multiple legislative efforts to create such a window have stalled. Survivors whose deadlines may have passed should still consult an attorney, as individual circumstances and emerging legal arguments may affect their eligibility.
Institutional and third-party claims: Claims against schools, churches, healthcare providers, employers, or other institutions that enabled or failed to prevent abuse may involve different deadlines and damage recovery options. Indiana’s Medical Malpractice Act caps damages at $1.8 million for claims against licensed healthcare providers and requires review by a medical review panel before a lawsuit can be filed.
Government liability: Tort Claims Act notice requirements apply when suing state or local government entities. Claims must typically be filed with the appropriate government body within 270 days (state) or 180 days (local) of the loss.
Victim Compensation Fund: Indiana’s Violent Crime Victims Compensation Fund provides up to $15,000 for crime-related out-of-pocket expenses including medical treatment and counseling. Eligibility generally requires a police report filed within 72 hours of the crime and an application submitted within 180 days.
Why Indiana’s Civil SOL Is Particularly Challenging
Indiana’s civil SOL has received a “D” grade from Child USA, a nonprofit that evaluates state laws protecting child abuse survivors. Key problems include the following:
The age 25 cutoff for most childhood abuse survivors is far below the national standard. Research shows survivors typically do not come forward until an average of 20-30 years after abuse occurred, often triggered by therapy, a similar public case, or another life event. Indiana’s current law gives childhood survivors less than a decade after reaching adulthood to file.
There is no lookback window to revive time-barred claims, meaning survivors who could not come forward before age 25 have no civil remedy regardless of how strong their case is.
There is no retroactive elimination of limitations for any category of abuse. Unlike the criminal SOL reform that applies to ongoing and future cases, the civil SOL has seen no meaningful legislative expansion in over a decade.
How Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Work
A civil sexual abuse lawsuit differs from a criminal case in several important ways. In a civil case, you are the plaintiff and you control the litigation. You decide whether to settle or take the case to trial. The burden of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning more likely than not, which is significantly lower than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard in criminal court.
Defendants in civil cases can include not just the direct abuser but any institution, employer, or organization that knew or should have known about the risk and failed to act. This includes churches, schools, hospitals, youth organizations, sports teams, daycares, residential facilities, and employers.
Damages available in a civil case typically include economic damages such as medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious institutional conduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Most sexual abuse attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless the attorney recovers compensation for you.
Anonymous filing: Indiana courts routinely allow sexual abuse survivors to file lawsuits under a pseudonym such as “Jane Doe” or “John Doe” to protect their privacy. Your attorney can request and typically obtain an order permitting anonymous filing at the outset of the case.
Featured Indiana Sexual Assault Law Firms
1. Wagner Reese, LLP
Location: Indianapolis (primary); additional offices in Bloomington, Carmel, Evansville, Fishers, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette, Indiana; Champaign, Illinois; Louisville, Kentucky
Phone: (888) 204-8440
Website: https://www.wagnerreese.com
Wagner Reese is one of Indiana’s most recognized personal injury firms and a leading statewide resource for sexual abuse survivors. The firm represents survivors throughout Indiana, operating from nine Indiana locations covering the full geographic breadth of the state from South Bend in the north to Evansville in the south. Wagner Reese is a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association and is affiliated with Abuse Guardian, a national network of sexual abuse attorneys.
The firm has earned placement on the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is limited to the top 1% of attorneys in the United States based on verdicts and settlements achieved for clients. Wagner Reese was also recognized as Best Lawyers in America in 2022 and 2024 and has received additional recognition including America’s Top 100 Attorneys, NADC 2025, Elite Lawyer 2025, Best Law Firms 2025, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers designations.
The firm’s sexual abuse practice is led by Jeff Gibson, who serves as the primary contact for sexual abuse survivors. The legal team includes Stephen M. Wagner, Jason R. Reese, Jeff S. Gibson, Stephanie L. Cassman, Jill E. Reese, Autumn L. Seib, Timothy F. Devereux, Houston A. Hum, and Laura W. Swafford, representing more than 150 combined years of legal experience.
Wagner Reese handles civil sexual abuse cases against clergy, doctors, teachers, coaches, supervisors, medical staff, government agents, and institutions of all types. The firm offers free and fully confidential initial consultations and handles all cases on a contingency fee basis.
2. CohenMalad, LLP
Location: Indianapolis
Phone: (317) 636-6481
Website: https://www.cohenandmalad.com
Founded in 1968, CohenMalad, LLP is one of Indiana’s oldest and most established plaintiffs’ firms, with a dedicated Sexual Abuse Litigation Team that has represented survivors for decades. The firm has grown to a team of over 30 attorneys and is recognized for handling complex class actions, mass torts, and institutional abuse cases alongside individual survivor representation.
The Sexual Abuse Litigation Team is led by Gregory L. Laker, a partner with more than 30 years of experience who serves as chair of the team. Laker has handled cases against schools, churches, major corporations, daycare centers, and individuals involving child sexual abuse. He is a member of the Riley Society Board for Riley Hospital for Children and volunteers with survivor advocacy organizations throughout Indiana. Additional team members dedicated to sexual abuse cases include Daniel S. Chamberlain, who brings over 20 years of experience and serves on the Board of the National Crime Victim Bar Association; Gabriel A. Hawkins, a partner on the Sexual Abuse Litigation Team; and Laurel R.K. Gilchrist, who focuses on sexual abuse, medical malpractice, and personal injury with more than 30 years of experience including appellate advocacy and teaching at IU McKinney School of Law. Molly K. McMath also represents plaintiffs in sexual abuse and personal injury cases.
The firm’s attorneys have been trained by mental health professionals to avoid re-traumatization when working with survivors. CohenMalad allows clients to file lawsuits anonymously and prioritizes confidentiality throughout the legal process. The firm handles cases involving church sexual abuse, youth sports abuse, daycare abuse, doctor-on-patient abuse, and child-on-child abuse, among others.
CohenMalad has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements and has a leadership role in several national litigations. The firm’s attorneys have been recognized on Super Lawyers lists and through Best Lawyers in America designations.
3. Garau Germano, P.C.
Location: 3710 Washington Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: (317) 978-9973
Website: https://www.indianapolis-medical-malpractice-lawyer.com
Garau Germano, P.C. is a plaintiff’s litigation firm established in Indianapolis in 1997, with primary expertise in medical malpractice and a dedicated practice in sexual abuse survivor representation. The firm practices throughout Indiana in both state and federal courts, including the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and welcomes co-counsel and referral arrangements.
Founding partner Jerry A. Garau has more than 25 years of experience representing clients in complex medical negligence and personal injury cases. He was named Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2019 following a $15 million medical malpractice verdict affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates, is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and has been named an Indiana Super Lawyer every year since 2012. Garau Germano has received the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer rating available.
The firm’s sexual abuse practice is led by Ashley N. Hadler, who has extensive specialized training in working with trauma survivors and is a past vice-chair of the Young Lawyer’s Council of the National Crime Victims Bar Association. Hadler is actively involved in the Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Advisory Board and volunteers as a guardian with the Indianapolis Center for At-Risk Elders. She has spoken at Indiana Trial Lawyers Association seminars on sexual abuse in residential facilities and authored “Civil Sexual Abuse Litigation: A Guide for Survivors.” Hadler handles cases against churches, residential care facilities, daycares, schools, sports teams, and nursing homes throughout Indiana and Illinois.
Notable results include a $460,000 settlement for the adult child of a nursing home rape victim. The firm also lists Super Lawyers member Shan L. Bryant-Haase among its attorneys.
4. The Cline Law Firm, LLC
Location: Carmel, Indiana (serving survivors throughout Indiana)
Phone: (317) 505-1760
Website: https://www.theclinelawfirm.com
The Cline Law Firm is a boutique plaintiff’s litigation firm in Carmel, founded by Lance D. Cline, one of Indiana’s most decorated personal injury attorneys. The firm maintains a small team structure that prioritizes individualized attention and consistent attorney access for each client.
Lance D. Cline has devoted his entire 45-year legal career exclusively to representing injured people and their families. He is one of only three Indiana attorneys ever elected to the Inner Circle of Advocates, a national organization limited to 100 of the best plaintiff attorneys in the United States. Selection requires peer nominations from opposing counsel and trial judges, making it among the most rigorous recognition processes in plaintiffs’ law. Cline is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, reserved for the top 1% of trial attorneys nationally. He has been selected as an Indiana Super Lawyer every year since the award’s inception in 2004, was named to Indiana’s Top 10 Lawyers list in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, and was selected to the Top 50 Indiana Super Lawyers list 18 times. Best Lawyers recognized him as Indianapolis Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in 2011-2012, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015, and Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in 2019 and 2025. The Indiana Trial Lawyers Association named him Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2018.
Attorney Lindsay N. Popejoy is a Super Lawyers-rated member of the firm who is recognized specifically for sexual abuse plaintiff representation. Popejoy graduated from IU McKinney School of Law in 2016 and has worked alongside Cline developing skills in wrongful death, healthcare negligence, and personal injury litigation. She was named to the Order of the Barristers for exceptional skill in oral advocacy. Popejoy brings a personal commitment to survivor advocacy and focuses on cases where her legal expertise can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have been wronged.
The firm has obtained multiple seven-figure jury verdicts and has settled more than 100 cases for seven-figure amounts. All consultations are free, and the firm works on a contingency fee basis. Appointments are available after hours and on weekends.
5. Garau Germano, P.C. — Alternative: CohenMalad Sexual Abuse Litigation Team
For survivors specifically seeking institutional sexual abuse litigation, including clergy abuse, school abuse, or large-scale class action representation, CohenMalad’s dedicated Sexual Abuse Litigation Team (detailed above) is particularly well-positioned, having handled cases against major institutions and corporations with national reach. Survivors needing class action or mass tort representation in addition to individual civil claims should consider contacting CohenMalad directly.
What to Expect When You Contact a Sexual Abuse Attorney
Initial consultation: All firms listed above offer free, confidential initial consultations. You will not be asked to pay anything unless the firm accepts your case and recovers compensation. Consultations can take place by phone, video, or in person.
What to bring or share: You do not need documents, evidence, or a fully formed account to have an initial consultation. Attorneys are experienced in working with incomplete information and will guide you through the process of gathering what is relevant.
Investigation: Once retained, your attorney will conduct an independent investigation, gather records, identify all responsible parties, and assess the full scope of damages. This process may take months depending on the complexity of the case.
Privacy and confidentiality: Attorney-client privilege protects everything you share with your attorney. As noted above, anonymous filing is routinely available in Indiana sexual abuse cases.
Timeline: Civil sexual abuse cases often take one to three years to resolve, depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases against institutions with complex insurance arrangements may take longer.
Survivor Resources
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 (available 24/7, free and confidential)
Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking (ICESAT): icesa.org
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana: preventchildabuseindiana.org
Indiana Victim Assistance: indiana.gov/crime-victims
Indiana Violent Crime Victims Compensation Fund: in.gov/cji/victim-services/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a civil lawsuit even if my abuser was never criminally charged or was found not guilty?
Yes. Civil and criminal cases are completely separate legal systems. The outcome of a criminal case does not determine whether you can file a civil lawsuit. Many successful civil cases involve perpetrators who were never prosecuted.
What if I am unsure whether the statute of limitations has expired?
Contact an attorney immediately. Statute of limitations analysis is complex and fact-specific. Attorneys can evaluate whether exceptions such as the discovery rule, dependent victim provisions, or other legal theories may apply to your situation.
Can I sue the institution that employed my abuser?
Yes. If a school, church, employer, healthcare facility, or other institution knew or should have known about the risk posed by an abuser and failed to act, it may be held liable for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or negligent retention. These institutional claims are often where the most significant recoveries are available.
What compensation might be available?
Civil sexual abuse cases can result in recovery for past and future medical and psychiatric treatment, past and future lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in appropriate cases punitive damages.
Is there a lookback window in Indiana?
No. Indiana has not enacted a lookback window. Survivors with expired deadlines should still consult an attorney, as legal strategies and individual circumstances may create viable pathways that are not immediately obvious.
This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Statute of limitations and other legal rules change frequently. Survivors should consult with a qualified Indiana attorney to evaluate the specific facts of their situation. The firms profiled above have been included based on publicly available information and verified practice area focus; inclusion does not constitute an endorsement.