Coaches who work with children and student-athletes are supposed to teach them skills and the value of teamwork, help develop their character, and serve as role models. Tragically and all too often, however, coaches betray the trust of athletes and their parents. Incidents of sexual abuse by coaches regularly make the news and leave athletes and families to grapple with physical, emotional, and psychological trauma for years and decades to come.

That healing process can include the difficult decision to contact a lawyer to try to hold their assailants and others who may have facilitated the abuse accountable for their actions. At Sommers Schwartz, we know that sexual abuse survivors and their families count on us to obtain the justice and compensation that can help them heal. We pursue their claims with fierce determination while also treating our clients with the respect, sensitivity, and compassion that can give them strength during and after the process.

Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim Against a Coach

While acts of sexual abuse against minors (or adults) can and do lead to criminal charges, survivors may also pursue civil claims for monetary damages from the perpetrator as well as institutions or other individuals whose negligent or intentional conduct permitted the abuse.

Michigan recently changed its laws to allow individuals of sexual abuse even longer to file their claims, recognizing that it takes people years to process the abuse they suffered and gather the strength to come forward. This change to the statute of limitations has been significant for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Even though the window for filing is now open longer, time is still a critical factor when considering a sexual abuse lawsuit. It is crucial to act as soon as possible.

Others Can Be Held Responsible for a Coach’s Abusive Conduct

Although a coach may be the sole abuser, they are often not the only responsible party. The schools and organizations that employ them sometimes ignore complaints of sexual misconduct, hoping to avoid a damaging scandal and expensive litigation. They may fail to thoroughly vet coaches and place a known abuser in charge of vulnerable young people. If the institution’s negligence contributed to or enabled the abuse, it too may be liable.

Choose a Sommers Schwartz Sexual Abuse Lawyer

The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz stand with survivors of sexual abuse and assault. We are not afraid to fight for what is right and will confront even the most prominent institutions and individuals if they are somehow responsible for or complicit in sexual offenses.

We promise to use the depth of our experience and tireless commitment to secure the compensation and resources that can help you move forward. Our team is accomplished, sensitive, caring, and ready to take down those who have committed these terrible crimes against you or your loved one.