Statute of Limitations Overview

Criminal SOL

South Carolina has no criminal statute of limitations for any felony charges, which automatically includes all felony sexual assault crimes. This is among the strongest criminal SOL frameworks in the nation. Any felony sex offense in South Carolina can be prosecuted at any point in time regardless of when it occurred.

Civil SOL

Child survivors (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-555): Survivors of childhood sexual abuse must file civil claims within the later of:

• 6 years from the date the victim reaches age 21 (effectively until age 27), OR
• 3 years from the date of discovery that the abuse occurred or that psychological injury resulted from the abuse.

The discovery rule provides meaningful protection: survivors who only recently connect their psychological injuries to childhood abuse may have 3 years from that discovery even if they are over 27.

Adult survivors: 3 years from the date of the incident under South Carolina’s general personal injury SOL (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530). No special SOL applies to adult survivor claims; the general 3-year deadline governs.

Reform efforts: A bill introduced in 2025 (S 0148) proposed significant reforms to expand the civil SOL and potentially create a lookback window. As of February 2026, the bill had not been enacted. The current age-27 cap with 3-year discovery rule remains one of the shorter frameworks nationally.

No active lookback window as of February 2026.

ChildUSA Civil SOL Age Cap Grade: F (age 27 cap is among the nation’s most restrictive)

Institutional Liability

South Carolina allows civil claims against institutions for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention. Despite the restrictive civil SOL, institutional claims that are not yet time-barred can proceed on the same 6-years-from-21 framework. South Carolina has no criminal SOL, meaning perpetrators can face criminal charges at any time, even decades after the offense.

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Attorney Firms

(1) Motley Rice LLC

Location: Mount Pleasant/Charleston (national practice)
Phone: 800-768-4026
Website: https://motleyrice.com/sex-abuse

South Carolina-based nationally recognized plaintiff firm. Handles sexual abuse cases against institutions including the Diocese of Charleston, schools, and youth organizations statewide. Multi-billion dollar recovery history in mass tort and institutional abuse litigation. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(2) Steinberg Law Firm

Location: Goose Creek, Charleston, Summerville, Myrtle Beach, Florence, Columbia (statewide)
Website: https://steinberglawfirm.com/sexual-abuse/

South Carolina-based personal injury firm with sexual abuse practice covering individual perpetrators and institutional defendants. Statewide office network. Free consultation, contingency fee.

(3) Herman Law

Location: National practice (active in South Carolina)
Phone: 800-976-8552
Website: https://hermanlaw.com

Nationally recognized survivor-focused firm. Active against Catholic Diocese of Charleston and other South Carolina institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Location: National practice (active in South Carolina)
Phone: 800-315-3806
Website: https://levylaw.com

Nationally recognized institutional abuse firm, $3B+ recovered. Handles South Carolina claims including Diocese of Charleston and institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(5) TFNL Group

Location: National practice (active in South Carolina)
Website: https://tfnlgroup.com

$375M+ in verdicts and settlements. National team with dedicated sexual abuse practice. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

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Important Context

Critical limitation: South Carolina’s civil age cap of 27 (or 3 years from discovery) is among the most restrictive in the nation. Many adult survivors who were abused as children find their civil claims already time-barred. Survivors with claims against South Carolina defendants should consult an attorney immediately.

No civil lookback window: South Carolina has not enacted a revival window. Unlike several neighboring states, previously time-barred civil claims cannot be revived. Reform efforts are ongoing.

Criminal path remains open: Because South Carolina has no criminal SOL for felonies, survivors can cooperate with law enforcement at any time regardless of age of the offense. Criminal prosecution is entirely separate from and does not affect civil claim deadlines.

Diocese of Charleston: Credibly accused clergy have been disclosed. Institutional claims against the diocese should be evaluated by an attorney given the restrictive civil SOL.

Crisis resources: South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: 803-256-2900 | Rape Crisis Hotline: 1-888-RAPE-SC1 (888-727-3721)