Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey
If you or a loved one has been a victim of child sex abuse, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. At Sarno da Costa D’aniello Maceri Webb LLC, we provide compassionate, tenacious legal support you can trust. Led by Paul M. da Costa, our child sexual abuse lawyers serve clients in New Jersey by holding perpetrators accountable and helping survivors seek the compensation and closure they deserve.
Definition of Child Sexual Abuse in New Jersey
In New Jersey, any form of contact involving inappropriate or sexual behavior with someone under the age of 18 qualifies as child sex abuse. While many people think child sex abuse must involve physical contact with a minor, any inappropriate sexual behavior involving someone under the age of 18 constitutes abuse. In addition to physical contact, conduct, or sexual assault, common types of child sex abuse include:
- Someone exposing themselves to a minor
- Masturbation in the presence of a minor
- Obscene phone calls, texts, or online interactions
- Production and ownership of child pornography
- Any other emotional or mental conduct with minors that is sexual in nature
Child Sexual Abuse is Common in Certain Institutions
Sadly, abuse is often perpetrated by those in positions of power who are entrusted with the care of children. Some common institutions in which sex abuse happens include:
- Religious organizations
- Schools and daycare centers
- Sports organizations
- Foster care and group homes
- Orphanages and children’s homes
- Juvenile detention centers
- Youth groups such as the Boy Scouts of America
- Summer camps
- Hospitals and treatment centers
- Entertainment industries
Our sexual assault lawyers understand the deep emotional and psychological impact of abuse. Paul and his team of caring personal injury attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the legal process with sensitivity and professionalism.
You Deserve to Make Your Voice Heard
If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, it’s important to speak up. It’s also vital to seek medical, psychological, and legal assistance that can help you cope with the aftermath of abuse and hold responsible parties accountable. Our compassionate sexual abuse attorneys are sensitive to your unique needs while staunchly advocating for your rights and helping you find the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our New Jersey Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers?
If legal recourse is an option you wish to pursue, Paul da Costa and his team are exceptionally qualified and experienced in litigating child sexual abuse cases in New Jersey. They are highly respected by clients and in the New Jersey legal community for providing strong, aggressive legal representation and obtaining substantial verdicts and settlements for personal injury victims.
Our team does everything in our power to achieve positive outcomes to ensure that an abuser does not and cannot continue to harm you or anyone else. Our child sexual abuse attorneys work on contingency, which means you won’t pay an hourly fee, and we get paid only if we win your case. We offer legal services in Spanish and Portuguese as well.
Paul M. da Costa and his team have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as Tier 1 Personal Injury – Plaintiffs for 2021-2025 and Tier 1 Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs law firm in New Jersey for 2022-2025. This highly respected peer-review publication named Paul Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs for 2025.
The National Law Journal selected Paul and his Medical Malpractice team as recipients of its prestigious 2022 Elite Trial Lawyers Awards in the medical malpractice category. In 2022, Paul was a finalist for New Jersey Law Journal Attorney of the Year.
In 2023, he was selected for the National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiff Lawyers. In 2024, he was included on the NJBIZ Law Power 50 list, which recognizes the most influential men and women leading New Jersey’s legal profession. Paul was also chosen for the New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100 list from 2020 – 2024.
The National Law Journal selected Paul and his Medical Malpractice team as recipients of its prestigious 2022 Elite Trial Lawyers Awards in the medical malpractice category. In 2022, Paul was a finalist for New Jersey Law Journal Attorney of the Year.
In 2023, he was selected for the National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiff Lawyers. In 2024, he was included on the NJBIZ Law Power 50 list, which recognizes the most influential men and women leading New Jersey’s legal profession.
Contact Our New Jersey Child Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today
At Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, we care deeply about making things right for victims of child sex abuse. If you or a loved one has suffered abuse, contact us or call 973-274-5200 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Paul M. da Costa today. Our child sexual abuse lawyers serve clients in several convenient locations, including Roseland, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Eatontown, NJ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Sex Abuse
What Do Abusers Look Like? How Can They Be Identified?
Most abusers in child sex abuse cases know their victims; they may be a family friend, relative, coach, teacher, or neighbor. According to InvisibleChildren.org, 34% of people who sexually abuse children are family members. It’s crucial to be vigilant and have open dialogues with your children. Keep an eye out for warning signs of abuse and trust your intuition if something seems off.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse in New Jersey?
For decades, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in New Jersey was two years. After a victim reached the age of 20, they would no longer be able to pursue litigation. However, in February of 2019 Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law that extended the statute of limitations, allowing victims the right to file suit “within 37 years after the minor reaches the age of majority, or within seven years from the date of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act, whichever date is later.”
Simply put, you may file a child sexual abuse lawsuit until the age of 55. It’s important to note that in some cases, a person who connects their injury to the abuse after reaching the age of 55 may still be able to bring an action against an individual or institution. Our child sexual abuse lawyers can evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action.
What Can I Expect From Pursuing a Child Sex Abuse Case?
Although nothing can change what’s happened in the past, there are many different options that may help victims heal from sexual abuse. At Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, we recognize that taking legal action isn’t an option everyone wishes to pursue.
Regardless of the legal aspects of a sexual abuse case, our primary goal is to help those who have been wronged as best as we can. Paul M. da Costa and his team are experienced in these sensitive matters and work regularly with doctors and psychiatrists who can help you understand and overcome the emotional damage caused by sexual abuse.
