Statute of Limitations Overview

Criminal SOL

Pennsylvania has no criminal statute of limitations for the most serious sexual offenses, including rape (18 Pa.C.S. § 3121) and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Pennsylvania is among the states that have permanently eliminated criminal SOL for felony sex offenses. For criminal charges against minors, no SOL applies until the victim reaches age 55 for the most serious felony offenses.

Adult victims: Felony charges may generally be filed within 12 years of the incident.

Civil SOL – Current Law (Act 87 of 2019)

Pennsylvania enacted Act 87 of 2019, signed by Governor Tom Wolf, which significantly expanded civil SOL for sexual abuse survivors. This law was shaped by years of survivor advocacy and the landmark 2018 grand jury report revealing 300+ “predator priests” across six Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses abusing more than 1,000 children.

Child survivors (42 Pa.C.S. § 5533(b)): Survivors abused before age 18 may file civil lawsuits until their 55th birthday. This means survivors have 37 years from reaching age 18 (majority) to file civil claims. This applies to survivors born after November 26, 1989 (who were under 28 when the law took effect).

Young adult survivors (ages 18-23 at time of abuse): Survivors who were between ages 18 and 23 at the time of abuse may file until their 30th birthday.

Adult survivors (24+): 2 years from the date of the incident under general personal injury SOL. This is among the shorter adult deadlines nationally.

Non-disclosure agreement prohibition: Act 87 prohibits NDAs that silence survivors in legal settlements, a critical protection against institutional cover-ups.

No lookback window enacted: Pennsylvania’s effort to create a 2-year lookback window for previously time-barred claims failed when the Pennsylvania General Assembly missed a key legislative deadline in September 2023 to place the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Previously time-barred claims remain barred unless the survivor can demonstrate fraudulent concealment. The absence of a lookback window has been a major frustration for many Pennsylvania survivors whose claims were already time-barred before Act 87.

Fraudulent concealment doctrine: If a defendant or institution wrongfully concealed facts about abuse, Pennsylvania courts may toll (pause) the limitations clock until the survivor discovered or reasonably should have discovered the concealment.

ChildUSA Civil SOL Age Cap Grade: A (age 55 cap is among the nation’s strongest for child survivors)

Institutional Liability

Pennsylvania has robust institutional liability frameworks following the grand jury investigations. Survivors can sue perpetrators and any institution that enabled, tolerated, or covered up abuse. Pennsylvania law does not require a criminal conviction for civil claims.

Pennsylvania Catholic Church context: 300+ credibly accused priests identified across all 8 Pennsylvania dioceses. Major settlements include: Archdiocese of Philadelphia ($44 million to ~200 claimants by May 2020, projected $130M+ total); Diocese of Pittsburgh ($19.2 million for 224 claims, December 2020); Diocese of Erie ($2 million single survivor settlement, March 2019); Diocese of Greensburg ($4.35 million for 57 survivors, October 2019). All eight Pennsylvania dioceses have pledged victim compensation funds.

Penn State/Jerry Sandusky: Penn State paid $60+ million to settle civil claims brought by Sandusky survivors. Represented in part by Kline & Specter.

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Attorney Firms

(1) Kline & Specter, P.C.

Location: Philadelphia (statewide)
Website: https://klinespecter.com/sexual-abuse-lawsuits/

Pennsylvania’s most prominent sexual abuse litigation firm. Lead attorney Tom Kline represented “Victim No. 5” in the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky litigation, resulting in Penn State’s $60 million settlement for all victims. Filed suit with Pennsylvania Supreme Court to make the grand jury report public. Secured the largest-ever settlement against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in a child sexual abuse case (up to $3.8 million against a psychotherapist; multiple major diocesan settlements). Secured $24.5 million award for two women in Philadelphia human trafficking case (2024); $24 million settlement in related human trafficking case (2023). Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(2) Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan

Location: Philadelphia (statewide)
Website: https://laffeybucci.com/sex-assault-abuse-lawyers/priest-clergy-sex-abuse-lawyers/

Philadelphia firm with dedicated clergy abuse and institutional sexual abuse practice. Handles claims against all eight Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses, religious institutions, and other institutional defendants. Extensive experience with the grand jury report context and diocesan compensation fund vs. litigation strategy. Free case evaluation, contingency fee.

(3) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Location: National practice with active Pennsylvania representation
Phone: 800-315-3806
Website: https://levylaw.com/pennsylvania-sexual-abuse-lawyers/

Nationally recognized firm representing survivors against all eight Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses and Pennsylvania juvenile detention centers including the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center. $3B+ in sexual abuse compensation recovered nationally. Nationally recognized for institutional abuse work against schools, prisons, clergy, and government entities. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) Peter Angelos Law

Location: Philadelphia, Baltimore, and statewide PA
Website: https://angeloslaw.com/personal-injury/clergy-sexual-abuse/

Established PA and MD plaintiff firm with dedicated clergy and institutional sexual abuse practice. Team includes attorneys Jay D. Miller, Aaron R. Parker, and Marissa B. Joelson with experience in civil claims against church officials across Pennsylvania and nationally. Deep investigative experience uncovering institutional cover-ups. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(5) Heiligman & Mogul, P.C.

Location: Philadelphia (statewide PA, NJ, DE, NY)
Phone: 215-561-0111
Website: https://heiligmanandmogul.com/relief-for-nj-and-pa-sexual-abuse-victims/

Philadelphia-based firm serving all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Handles clergy abuse (all 8 dioceses), school abuse, healthcare abuse, and institutional claims with strict confidentiality and compassionate representation. Free initial and all subsequent consultations conducted in strictest confidence. Contingency fee.

(6) Stark & Stark

Location: Multiple PA offices (statewide)
Website: https://stark-stark.com/pennsylvania-sexual-assault-lawyer/

Established plaintiff firm with Pennsylvania sexual assault and abuse practice covering workplace harassment, institutional abuse (Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, Penn State), and individual perpetrator claims. Detailed experience with Act 87 SOL framework and NDA prohibition. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(7) Fellerman & Ciarimboli

Location: Pittsburgh (western PA)
Website: https://fellermanlaw.com/personal-injury-lawyers/institutional-sexual-abuse/clergy-abuse-lawyers/pittsburgh-clergy-abuse-lawyers/

Pittsburgh-based firm for western Pennsylvania survivors. Focuses on Pittsburgh Diocese clergy abuse (99+ accused priests identified in grand jury report), school abuse, and institutional claims in the Pittsburgh metro region and western PA. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(8) Herman Law

Location: National practice with Pennsylvania representation
Phone: 800-976-8552
Website: https://hermanlaw.com/pennsylvania/

Nationally recognized firm representing Pennsylvania survivors. Tracks all Act 87 developments, handles claims against Catholic dioceses, foster care systems, and other PA institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

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Important Context

Lookback window failure: Pennsylvania survivors whose civil claims were time-barred before Act 87 (2019) should be aware that the constitutional amendment that would have created a 2-year lookback window failed to pass in 2023. Several advocacy organizations continue to push for a revised path forward. Survivors in this category should consult an attorney to evaluate any fraudulent concealment arguments.

Diocesan compensation funds: Seven Pennsylvania dioceses have established victim compensation programs. Survivors considering these programs should understand they have no appeals process and are administered by the church. Consulting an independent attorney before engaging these programs is strongly advised.

Crisis resources: Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR): 1-888-772-7227 | Pittsburgh Action Against Rape: 1-866-363-7273