Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Attorney Guide

12 sections 8 min read

Since Act 87 of 2019, a Pennsylvania survivor of sexual abuse suffered before age 18 has 37 years after turning 18 to sue, which runs to the 55th birthday, and a survivor abused at 18 to 23 has until age 30. Act 87 also removed the six-month notice requirement for these claims against government units. No provision in the limitation chapter revives claims that had already expired. On the criminal side, rape and eight other offenses against a child can be prosecuted at any time. This guide covers those rules, an open question in the statutory definition, and eight firms listed for Pennsylvania.

Anyone in immediate danger should dial 911. Respect Together (the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape) runs a 24/7 statewide sexual violence hotline at 1-888-772-7227, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

The Consolidated Statutes below are quoted from CHILD USA’s analysis, which reports reading chapter 55 of Title 42 in the General Assembly’s official text on September 5, 2026; the Act 87 applicability note is from FindLaw’s text dated January 1, 2026. This page is general information about Pennsylvania law and does not evaluate any particular claim.

Abuse Before 18: 37 Years After Majority

42 Pa.C.S. § 5533(b)(2)(i) provides: “If an individual entitled to bring a civil action arising from sexual abuse is under 18 years of age at the time the cause of action accrues, the individual shall have a period of 37 years after attaining 18 years of age in which to commence an action for damages regardless of whether the individual files a criminal complaint regarding the sexual abuse.”

Abuse at 18 to 23: Until Age 30

Section 5533(b)(2)(i.1) provides: “If an individual entitled to bring a civil action arising from sexual abuse is at least 18 and less than 24 years of age at the time the cause of action occurs, the individual shall have until attaining 30 years of age to commence an action for damages regardless of whether the individual files a criminal complaint regarding the sexual abuse.”

An Open Question: The Forcible-Compulsion Proviso

Section 5533(b)(2)(ii) states that “sexual abuse” includes listed sexual activities between a person 23 or younger and an adult, “provided that the individual bringing the civil action engaged in such activities as a result of forcible compulsion or by threat of forcible compulsion which would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution.”

CHILD USA identifies two readings. Because the list is introduced by “include, but not be limited to,” the proviso may qualify only the listed activities. If instead it governs the whole extended period, abuse through grooming or authority rather than force could fall back onto the ordinary two-year personal injury period in § 5524(2). CHILD USA found no case law on the point. A survivor whose abuse did not involve force or threats should raise this first.

Claims Against Government Units

Section 5522(a) requires six months’ written notice before suing a government unit. Act 87 added § 5522(c), under which that requirement “shall not apply to any civil action or proceeding brought under section 8522(b)(10) (relating to exceptions to sovereign immunity) or 8542(b)(9) (relating to exceptions to governmental immunity),” the sexual abuse exceptions. Whether a public school or agency is liable still depends on those immunity exceptions.

Act 87 and Expired Claims

CHILD USA reports reading chapter 55 in full and finding no revival provision. The note printed with § 5533 records that the 2002 amendment “shall not be applied to revive an action which has been barred by an existing statute of limitations.” For the 2019 amendment, the code points elsewhere: the note to § 5533 directs readers to “§ 10(1) and (2)” of Act 87 for its applicability. Whether the 2019 periods reach a claim that was still timely when Act 87 took effect turns on those provisions, so a lawyer should read them against the dates of the abuse.

Adults Over 23

For an assault on a person 24 or older, the extended periods in § 5533(b)(2) do not apply. CHILD USA identifies § 5524(2) as the ordinary two-year period for personal injury.

Criminal Deadlines Under §§ 5551 and 5552

Prosecution is the state’s decision. CHILD USA reports:

  • No limit where the victim was under 18 (§ 5551(7)): trafficking in individuals, involuntary servitude as it relates to sexual servitude, rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, institutional sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, and incest.
  • Until the victim turns 55 (§ 5552(c)(3)): other sexual offenses against a minor, including indecent assault, indecent exposure, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, sexual abuse of children, and sexual exploitation of children.
  • Victims 23 or younger (§ 5552(c)(3.1)): the later of the ordinary period after age 24 or 20 years after the offense, for the listed offenses.
  • Adult victims (§ 5552(b.1)): twelve years for rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, institutional sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, and incest.
  • DNA (§ 5552(c.1)): where DNA later identifies the perpetrator, the ordinary period or one year after identification, whichever is later.

A civil claim does not depend on any prosecution.

Points for a Pennsylvania Lawyer

The survivor’s age at the time of the abuse picks the civil rule, and the way the abuse happened may matter because of the definition. Bring the survivor’s date of birth, the dates of the abuse, and the names of the people and organizations involved. Points to cover:

  1. Was the survivor under 18, or 18 to 23, when the abuse occurred, and when does the matching deadline in § 5533(b)(2) fall?
  2. How does the forcible-compulsion proviso in § 5533(b)(2)(ii) apply to the facts?
  3. Is any defendant a government unit, and do the immunity exceptions in §§ 8522(b)(10) or 8542(b)(9) apply?
  4. Did Act 87’s applicability provisions reach this claim?
  5. Has the survivor been offered a diocesan compensation program, and how does it compare with a lawsuit?
  6. Does the firm represent any diocese, school, or insurer that may be a defendant?

Attorney Firms

(1) Kline & Specter, P.C.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was abused at 12 and I am now 50. Can I sue in Pennsylvania?

Under § 5533(b)(2)(i), a survivor abused before 18 has 37 years after turning 18, to age 55. Two points to check with a lawyer are the forcible-compulsion proviso in the definition and whether Act 87’s applicability provisions reach a claim from your dates.

I was assaulted at 21. How long do I have?

Under § 5533(b)(2)(i.1), until your 30th birthday.

Is there a lookback window for claims that already expired?

No. CHILD USA found no revival provision in chapter 55 of Title 42.

Do I need to give six months’ notice before suing a public school?

Not for a claim under the sexual abuse immunity exceptions. Section 5522(c), added by Act 87, removes the notice requirement for those claims.

Support and Reporting Lines

  • Emergency: 911
  • Respect Together, 24/7 statewide sexual violence hotline: 1-888-772-7227
  • Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (toll-free): 1-800-932-4632
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Sources