Sexual Assault Attorneys in Florida: Your Complete Legal Guide

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Florida’s civil deadline depends on the survivor’s age at the time of the act and on how the claim is framed. Sexual battery against a child under 16 can be sued on at any time unless the claim was already barred by July 1, 2010; other abuse claims run seven years past the age of majority or four years from discovery; an adult survivor’s battery claim has four years; and a negligence claim against a business has two. Below are those rules from the 2026 Florida Statutes, the separate rules for claims against public bodies and for prosecutions, questions for a first meeting with a lawyer, and five firms that represent survivors in Florida.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Florida’s 24/7 statewide sexual assault helpline is 888-956-7273.

Statutory text below comes from the official 2026 Florida Statutes, read in October 2026, together with the other sources listed at the end. The explanation is general and does not assess any individual case.

Under 16 at the Time of a Sexual Battery: No Deadline, With a 2010 Cut-Off

Section 95.11(10), headed “Specified offenses on victims under age 16,” provides: “An action related to an act constituting a violation of s. 794.011 or an action brought pursuant to s. 787.061 involving a victim who was under the age of 16 at the time of the act may be commenced at any time. This subsection applies to any such action other than one which would have been time barred on or before July 1, 2010.”

Section 794.011 is Florida’s sexual battery statute and § 787.061 provides a civil action for human trafficking victims. The rule therefore covers a survivor who was under 16 when the act occurred, for claims founded on sexual battery or trafficking, provided the claim was still open on July 1, 2010. CHILD USA reads the cut-off as the opposite of a revival clause, and Florida has never opened a revival window.

Other Abuse Claims: Seven Years Past Majority or Four Years From Discovery

Section 95.11(8), “For intentional torts based on abuse,” reaches more conduct and more survivors: “An action founded on alleged abuse, as defined in s. 39.01 or s. 415.102; incest, as defined in s. 826.04; or an action brought pursuant to s. 787.061 may be commenced at any time within 7 years after the age of majority, or within 4 years after the injured person leaves the dependency of the abuser, or within 4 years from the time of discovery by the injured party of both the injury and the causal relationship between the injury and the abuse, whichever occurs later.”

Three triggers run side by side and the latest one controls:

  1. Seven years after the age of majority.
  2. Four years after the survivor leaves the abuser’s dependency, which matters where the abuser was a parent, guardian, or caregiver.
  3. Four years after the survivor discovers both the injury and its causal link to the abuse.

This is the rule for a survivor who was 16 or 17 at the time of a sexual battery, and for abuse that does not meet the definition of sexual battery, such as other child abuse defined in § 39.01.

Adult Survivors: Four Years for Battery, Two for Negligence

For an assault on an adult, § 95.11(3), “Within four years,” lists “An action for assault, battery, false arrest, malicious prosecution, malicious interference, false imprisonment, or any other intentional tort, except as provided in subsections (5), (6), and (8).” A claim against the person who committed the assault is an intentional tort claim on this list.

Claims against others can rest on a different theory. Section 95.11(5), “Within two years,” begins with “An action founded on negligence.” A claim that a hotel, apartment complex, employer, or ride service failed to provide reasonable security or screened an employee carelessly is framed as negligence, and the two-year period can expire well before the four-year period against the assailant. Which statute applies to each defendant is one of the first things to settle with a lawyer.

Claims Against the State, a School District, a County, or a City

Florida’s waiver of sovereign immunity, § 768.28, adds a step before a lawsuit against a public body. Under § 768.28(6)(a), “An action may not be instituted on a claim against the state or one of its agencies or subdivisions unless the claimant presents the claim in writing to the appropriate agency,” and, except for claims against a municipality, county, or the Florida Space Authority, also to the Department of Financial Services, “within 3 years after such claim accrues,” and the claim must be denied in writing. Section 768.28(14) then bars the claim “unless the civil action is commenced by filing a complaint in the court of appropriate jurisdiction within 4 years after such claim accrues.”

Criminal Prosecution Deadlines in § 775.15

A prosecution is the state’s case and runs on separate deadlines in § 775.15, which CHILD USA reviewed in its 2026 form. Key layers, each with its own cut-off date for offenses already barred:

  • Capital and life felonies (§ 775.15(1)): “may be commenced at any time.”
  • Sexual battery on a victim under 18, committed on or after July 1, 2020 (§ 775.15(20)): at any time.
  • Any sexual battery on a victim under 16 (§ 775.15(13)(c)): at any time, for offenses not already barred by July 1, 2010.
  • Other listed offenses against a victim under 18 (§ 775.15(13)(a)): the period does not begin until the victim turns 18 or the violation is reported to a law enforcement or other governmental agency, whichever is earlier.
  • Victims 16 or older (§ 775.15(14)): a first or second degree felony sexual battery reported within 72 hours may be prosecuted at any time; otherwise eight years, for offenses not barred by July 1, 2015.
  • DNA (§ 775.15(16)(a)): sexual battery and lewd or lascivious offenses may be prosecuted at any time after the accused is identified through DNA analysis, if enough evidence was preserved for testing.
  • Failure to report (§ 775.15(23), effective July 1, 2026): the period for a violation of the mandatory reporting statute “does not begin to run until a law enforcement agency or other governmental agency, excluding any institution where the violation occurs, is made aware of the violation.”

The civil periods in § 95.11 run on their own triggers and do not require a report, a charge, or a conviction.

Facts That Decide Which Florida Deadline Applies

Bring your date of birth, the dates of the abuse or assault, whether you depended on the abuser for housing or support and when that ended, and when you connected an injury to the abuse. Those facts answer the questions that decide timing:

  1. Does § 95.11(10) apply, meaning you were under 16 and the act was a sexual battery, and was the claim still open on July 1, 2010?
  2. If not, which of the three § 95.11(8) triggers gives the latest date?
  3. For an adult assault, which claims are intentional torts with four years and which are negligence claims with two?
  4. Is any defendant a public school, county, city, or state agency, and when must the written claim under § 768.28(6) be presented?
  5. Does the firm represent any likely defendant, school board, or insurer in other matters?
  6. How are fees and case costs divided if the claim settles before suit, after suit, or at trial?
  7. How will your identity appear in court filings?

Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in Florida

1. Herman Law

Herman Law is a Florida-based firm that works exclusively on sexual abuse cases. Jeff Herman and his team represent survivors of clergy abuse, foster care abuse, school abuse, and daycare abuse across Florida and nationwide. The firm has achieved significant results for survivors throughout the country and offers free, confidential case evaluations. Herman Law also operates a Special Investigative Unit to support case development. Services available in Spanish.

2. Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa

  • Phone: Palm Beach Gardens (main office)
  • Website: https://www.pbglaw.com
  • Offices: Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Jacksonville
  • Attorneys: Troy A. Rafferty, Sean C. Domnick, Fred Cunningham, Greg Yaffa, Nicole Kruegel, Matthew Christ, Katherine Kiziah, Jack Lurton III, Lindsey Gale, Halley Lewis IV, Ileanexis Rocher Colón, Madeline Pendley, Sean C. Domnick Jr., Matthew Sowell, Megan Sowell

Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa is one of Florida’s premier plaintiff firms handling sexual abuse cases as part of a broader serious injury and mass tort practice. The firm offers compassionate representation for survivors of sexual abuse including negligent third-party claims against landlords, businesses, schools, and other institutions whose inadequate security or hiring practices enabled the assault. Walk-in welcome at Palm Beach Gardens. Free consultations; contingency basis. Bilingual services available.

3. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

Dolman Law Group is a statewide Florida plaintiff firm with a sexual assault practice covering a wide range of cases including OB/GYN sexual assault, Uber and rideshare sexual assault, foster care abuse, and institutional sexual abuse. The firm handles civil claims against both perpetrators and negligent third parties. Consultations are completely private and available at multiple Florida office locations or virtually. Free consultations; no fees unless the firm wins. Contingency basis statewide.

4. Edwards & Ragatz, P.A.

  • Phone: (904) 295-1050
  • Website: https://www.edwardsragatz.com
  • Address: Jacksonville, FL
  • Attorneys: Thomas S. Edwards Jr., Eric C. Ragatz, Katherine E. Loper, Katie DeSantis McCranie, Doug Clifton, Jennie Edwards Tyler

Edwards & Ragatz is a Jacksonville firm with board-certified civil trial lawyers who represent sexual assault survivors statewide. The firm is experienced in cases against healthcare groups and medical institutions, and takes a nationally experienced trial approach to sexual assault claims. Attorneys are available 24/7; confidential no-cost consultations. The firm handles claims against individuals and institutions and has an established record of results in sexual assault lawsuits. Contingency fee basis.

5. Whittel & Melton, LLC

  • Phone: 1-866-608-5529
  • Website: https://www.thefllawfirm.com
  • Offices: Multiple locations across Florida
  • Attorneys: Robert G. Whittel, Jason M. Melton, Christopher M. Klemawesch, Tracee L. Ivins, William J. Sheslow, Gina M. Girardot, Patrick W. Harland Jr., Eric J. Evilsizer, Seton Hengesbach, Geoffrey Gilbert, Eli Stiers

Whittel & Melton is a multi-office Florida firm with a sexual assault victims practice. Attorneys help file civil claims against perpetrators and responsible institutions including teachers, school staff, foster parents, clergy, sports coaches, and employers. The firm notes that no police report is required to pursue a civil claim. Available 24/7 for free consultations. No fees unless the firm wins. Bilingual services available in Spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was 14 when a coach sexually battered me in 2012. Is there a deadline?

No, as long as the claim was not already time-barred on or before July 1, 2010, which a 2012 act could not be. Section 95.11(10) allows an action for a sexual battery on a victim under 16 to be commenced at any time.

I was 17 at the time. Does the no-deadline rule cover me?

No. Section 95.11(10) covers victims under 16. A 17-year-old’s claim falls under § 95.11(8): seven years after the age of majority, four years after leaving the abuser’s dependency, or four years from discovering the injury and its link to the abuse, whichever is latest.

I was assaulted as an adult at a hotel. How long do I have?

The claim against the assailant is an intentional tort with four years under § 95.11(3). A claim that the hotel’s security or hiring was careless is founded on negligence, which § 95.11(5) limits to two years. The two periods can end on different dates.

Do I need a police report to bring a civil case?

No. The civil periods in § 95.11 do not depend on a report, a charge, or a conviction. A report can matter to the criminal deadline, which for a victim under 18 begins at 18 or at the report, whichever is earlier.

Support and Reporting Lines

  • Emergency: 911
  • Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, 24/7 statewide helpline: 888-956-7273
  • Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, 24/7 hotline (English, Español, Creole): 1-800-500-1119
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Sources