Statute of Limitations Overview

Criminal SOL

Oregon has no criminal statute of limitations for the most serious sex crimes, including rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree, and sexual abuse in the first degree. Oregon is among the states that have effectively eliminated criminal SOL for the most serious felony sex offenses. For lower-level sex offenses, varying SOL periods apply depending on the degree of the offense.

Civil SOL

Child survivors (ORS 12.117): Oregon law provides that a survivor of childhood sexual abuse (abuse occurring before age 18) may file a civil lawsuit until the later of:

• The victim’s 40th birthday, OR
• 5 years from the date the victim discovered or should have discovered the causal connection between the abuse and their resulting injury (the delayed discovery rule).

This extended SOL applies to claims against any person or entity that “knowingly allowed, permitted or encouraged the abuse,” meaning institutional defendants (schools, churches, youth organizations) are covered under the same age-40/5-year-discovery framework.

For abuse occurring before January 1, 2016: The older framework applies: 6 years from the victim’s 18th birthday (until age 24) OR 3 years from date of discovery, whichever is later.

For abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2016: The current age-40/5-year-discovery framework applies.

Adult survivors: 2 years from the date of the incident under Oregon’s general personal injury SOL.

Government actors: Special considerations apply to claims against government entities (Oregon DHS, public schools, law enforcement). Government Tort Claims Act notice requirements and specific procedures may apply. Survivors with claims against public entities should consult an attorney immediately as notice deadlines can be shorter than the general SOL.

Oregon foster care: In December 2023, the Oregon Department of Human Services agreed to a $40 million settlement with four former foster children who suffered sexual and physical abuse after caseworkers repeatedly ignored signs of abuse. Active litigation continues against OYA (Oregon Youth Authority) for abuse at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility and other facilities.

No active lookback window as of February 2026.

Institutional Liability

Oregon allows civil claims against institutions for negligence when they knew of or enabled abuse. Oregon DHS, Oregon Youth Authority, Archdiocese of Portland (bankruptcy proceedings ongoing), and private schools and organizations have all faced institutional liability claims. The causal discovery rule (5 years from discovering the connection between abuse and injury) gives survivors meaningful time even when abuse occurred long ago.

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Attorney Firms

(1) Crew Janci LLP

Location: Portland (statewide and national)
Website: https://crewjanci.com

Portland-based nationally recognized sexual abuse litigation firm. Current lead counsel in the ongoing Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) sexual abuse litigation, having filed multiple waves of lawsuits against OYA staffers on behalf of former juvenile inmates. Pioneering institutional accountability work in Oregon including the $40 million DHS foster care settlement (2023). Integrates trauma-informed approaches and media advocacy to expose systemic abuse. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee. Client testimonials reflect exceptional personal representation.

(2) D’Amore Law Group

Location: Portland (statewide)
Website: https://damorelaw.com/sexual-abuse-assault-attorneys/

Portland sexual abuse firm with courtroom-tested institutional litigation experience. Lead attorney Tom D’Amore represented a survivor to jury verdict in a case involving an anesthesiologist who sexually abused unconscious patients at an Oregon hospital for at least three years while the hospital concealed multiple prior complaints. Handles hospital abuse, school abuse, church abuse, and individual perpetrator claims statewide. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(3) Kline Law PC (Rob Kline)

Location: Portland (statewide)
Website: https://klinelawpc.com/practice-areas/sexual-abuse-claims/

Portland sexual abuse attorney with comprehensive civil practice for survivors. Handles claims against institutions including churches, schools, youth groups, government agencies, employers, and property owners. Detailed experience navigating ORS 12.117 and the delayed discovery framework. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) The Gatti Law Firm

Location: Portland, Salem (statewide)
Phone: 503-594-4944
Website: https://gattilaw.com/personal-injury/sexual-abuse/

Oregon personal injury and sexual abuse firm with substantial experience representing survivors against perpetrators and institutions. Handles claims under ORS 12.117 including the delayed discovery exception. Experience with insurance coverage disputes that frequently arise in institutional abuse cases. Free consultation, contingency fee.

(5) Herron Law Firm

Location: Portland (statewide)
Website: https://portlandinjuryfirm.com/sexual-abuse-assault-attorney/

Portland personal injury firm with dedicated sexual abuse and assault practice. Handles both child and adult survivor claims including cases involving coaches and instructors in sports settings. Trauma-informed approach with attention to ORS 12.117 child abuse deadlines. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(6) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Location: National practice (active in Oregon)
Phone: 800-315-3806
Website: https://levylaw.com/oregon-foster-care-sexual-abuse-lawsuits/

Nationally recognized firm actively pursuing Oregon foster care sexual abuse claims against Oregon DHS. $3B+ recovered for survivors nationally. Active against the Archdiocese of Portland (bankruptcy proceedings) and OYA. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(7) Paul Galm Law

Location: Oregon (statewide)
Website: https://paulgalmlaw.com/abuse-victims/

20+ years serving Oregon clients in abuse and negligence cases. Compassionate, determined approach to institutional and individual abuse claims. Free consultation, contingency fee.

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Important Context

Archdiocese of Portland: The Archdiocese of Portland filed for bankruptcy in 2004 and completed reorganization, paying settlements to survivors. Additional claims involving individual priests or time-barred diocesan cases may still be viable through the discovery rule or against individual perpetrators. Survivors should consult an attorney.

Oregon Youth Authority (OYA): Active federal litigation is ongoing. Multiple staffers have been named in lawsuits. Survivors who were incarcerated at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility or other OYA facilities should contact an attorney immediately.

Oregon DHS foster care: The $40 million settlement (2023) demonstrates that Oregon state agencies can be held accountable. Current and former foster children with abuse claims should consult Crew Janci or Levy Konigsberg given their active practice in this area.

Crisis resources: Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence: 503-230-1951 | RAINN hotline: 800-656-4673