Sexual Assault Attorneys in Nevada: Your Complete Legal Guide
Nevada is one of the most survivor-friendly civil jurisdictions in the United States. In a landmark 2021 reform, Nevada eliminated the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims entirely – meaning survivors of abuse that occurred when they were under 18 can file a civil lawsuit at any time, with no deadline. In 2023, Senate Bill 129 extended that same unlimited window to adult survivors of sexual assault. Adult survivors of assaults that occurred when they were 18 or older can now sue at any time under NRS § 11.217, with no deadline. Nevada also has an aggressive criminal statute of limitations framework with no time limit when DNA evidence is available or when a timely police report was filed. The result is that Nevada survivors have among the most expansive legal access to civil justice of any state in the country.
Understanding Nevada Sexual Assault Laws
Criminal Statutes of Limitations
For adult survivors:
Nevada’s criminal SOL for sexual assault under NRS § 171.085 is generally four years from the date of the offense. However, if a police report was filed within that four-year window, criminal charges can be filed at any time thereafter with no deadline (NRS § 171.083). If DNA evidence identifies the perpetrator, there is no criminal SOL regardless of when the report was filed.
For child survivors:
Under NRS § 171.095, when a victim was under 18 at the time of the sexual offense, the criminal SOL is extended: prosecution may commence any time before the victim turns 36, or before the victim turns 43 if they did not discover they had been sexually abused until after age 36. With DNA evidence, no criminal SOL applies.
Civil Statutes of Limitations
Nevada’s civil framework is among the most progressive in the nation after the 2021 and 2023 legislative reforms.
Adult survivors (18 or older at time of assault) – NRS § 11.217:
Senate Bill 129, signed into law in June 2023, eliminated the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault of adults. Before SB129, adult survivors had only two years to sue. Now, adult survivors can file civil claims against their perpetrators or convicted persons at any time – no deadline. This applies retroactively to assaults that were not already resolved by final judgment.
Child survivors – NRS § 11.215:
The 2021 Nevada legislative session eliminated the civil SOL for childhood sexual abuse. Survivors abused before age 18 may commence a civil lawsuit against the alleged perpetrator or a person convicted of the abuse at any time – no deadline. The statute applies to individual perpetrators and to persons convicted of the abuse. Multiple-incident cases do not require the survivor to identify which specific act caused the injury.
Institutional claims – “benefiting from a venture” statute:
Nevada law also provides a mechanism to sue institutions and entities that knowingly benefited from a venture engaging in child sexual abuse or exploitation. These claims must generally be filed within 20 years after the survivor turns 18 (by approximately age 38). This provision has important nuances: Nevada law specifically excludes large hotels with more than 175 rooms from certain applications of this statute, which can affect claims involving Las Vegas properties. General negligence theories against institutions may follow Nevada’s two-year personal injury SOL (NRS § 11.190), so institutional claims require prompt legal consultation to identify the most favorable legal theory.
Child pornography harms:
Survivors who appeared in child sexual imagery may sue at any time after turning 18 under Nevada law.
Criminal conviction not required:
Civil claims may proceed independently of any criminal prosecution. No arrest, charge, or conviction is required to name someone as a defendant in a civil case.
Nevada Sexual Assault Attorneys
Claggett & Sykes Law Firm
Las Vegas office: 4101 Meadows Lane, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89107
Reno office: 245 East Liberty Street, Suite 510, Reno, NV 89501
Website: https://www.claggettlaw.com
Claggett & Sykes is Nevada’s most prominent sexual assault plaintiff firm. The firm’s trial team secured a $485 million verdict against Acadia Healthcare for placing children in a foster care home with a known child predator – believed to be the largest single-plaintiff sexual abuse verdict ever obtained. Over $3.3 billion in total verdicts and settlements has been attained through the firm’s trial, appellate, and consulting work. The firm represents survivors of all ages and genders in cases against treatment centers, schools, universities, churches, youth organizations, and individual abusers. Class action claims are handled when multiple survivors were abused by the same person or institution. Offices in both Las Vegas and Reno with statewide practice. Free confidential consultation. Contingency fee.
Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP
Address: Las Vegas, NV
Website: https://www.panish.law/nevada/las-vegas-sexual-assault-attorney/
Panish Shea Ravipudi is a nationally recognized catastrophic injury and wrongful death firm with a Nevada office that handles sexual assault civil litigation. In 2017, the firm secured the largest single-plaintiff verdict in Nevada history. The firm pursues civil claims against perpetrators, institutional defendants, and negligent businesses, and advocates for maximum compensatory and punitive damages. Free confidential consultation. Contingency fee.
Cogburn Davidson Injury Lawyers
Address: Las Vegas and Henderson, NV (statewide practice including Reno and rural communities)
Phone: (702) 805-0652
Website: https://cdinjury.com
Cogburn Davidson represents survivors across Nevada with offices in Las Vegas and Henderson. Lead attorney Jamie Cogburn is one of only 19 Certified Personal Injury Specialists in Nevada, a designation earned through examination and demonstrated competency. The firm investigates institutional failures, documents trauma impact through expert testimony, and prepares every case for trial to ensure institutional accountability. The firm pursues claims against nursing homes, hotels, casinos, schools, churches, and other organizations where institutional negligence enabled assault. Contingency fee. Free consultation.
Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers
Address: Las Vegas, NV
Website: https://www.bensonbingham.com
Benson & Bingham has an established Las Vegas sexual assault civil practice, handling cases involving inadequate hotel and casino security, workplace sexual assault, and abuse by professionals in positions of trust (physicians, therapists, attorneys, coaches). The firm represents survivors seeking to hold both individual abusers and institutional defendants accountable. Free confidential consultation. Contingency fee.
Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen
Address: Las Vegas, NV
Phone: (702) 800-0000
Website: https://www.nvlegaljustice.com
Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across Nevada. The firm handles sexual assault civil claims involving nursing home abuse, hotel and casino inadequate security, and institutional misconduct. Over 85% of clients come via word-of-mouth referrals, reflecting sustained client satisfaction. Free confidential consultation. No fees until they win.
Greenberg Gross LLP
Address: Las Vegas, NV
Website: https://www.fightforsurvivors.com/sexual-assault-lawyer/nevada/las-vegas-nv/
Greenberg Gross handles high-profile and complex sexual assault cases in Nevada. The firm has pursued sexual abuse claims against Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, and other youth organizations, as well as school abuse cases, medical professional abuse, and elder abuse in nursing homes. Free case review. Contingency fee.
Key Considerations for Nevada Survivors
No civil SOL for childhood sexual abuse. Under NRS § 11.215, survivors of abuse occurring before age 18 can file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator at any time. There is no deadline.
No civil SOL for adult sexual assault against the perpetrator. Senate Bill 129 (June 2023) eliminated the civil SOL for adult assault survivors under NRS § 11.217. File at any time.
Institutional claims may have a 20-year deadline. Claims under Nevada’s “benefiting from a venture” statute against institutions that enabled child abuse must be filed within 20 years of turning 18. General negligence claims against institutions may follow the two-year personal injury SOL. Act promptly and consult an attorney to preserve institutional theories.
Hotel and casino claims require special analysis. Nevada law contains specific provisions affecting how large Las Vegas hotels can be sued under certain theories. Consult an attorney immediately if your assault occurred at a hotel, casino, or resort property.
DNA evidence eliminates the criminal SOL. If DNA evidence connects a perpetrator to the crime, criminal prosecution can proceed at any time with no deadline.
No criminal conviction or report needed for civil recovery. A civil claim proceeds independently of any criminal action.
Punitive damages are available. Nevada law allows punitive damages in sexual assault cases where the defendant’s conduct was malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a civil sexual assault lawsuit in Nevada?
For abuse occurring before age 18, there is no deadline under NRS § 11.215. For adult assault, there is no deadline under NRS § 11.217 (signed 2023). Institutional claims under other legal theories may have shorter deadlines – consult an attorney promptly.
Does Nevada have a revival window for time-barred claims?
Nevada eliminated the civil SOL outright (not through a lookback window) for both childhood abuse and adult assault, so the no-deadline rule applies directly rather than requiring a temporary window.
Can I sue a hotel or casino where I was assaulted?
Possibly. Nevada’s institutional liability framework allows suits against properties that failed to maintain adequate security or took other negligent actions that enabled the assault. Large hotel properties face specific analysis under Nevada law. Consult a Nevada sexual assault attorney immediately.
Do I need a police report to file a civil lawsuit?
No. Civil claims are entirely separate from criminal cases. You may pursue civil compensation without ever having reported the assault to police.