Can I sue for sexual abuse?
Navigating Sexual Abuse & Assault Personal Injury Cases in Kentucky: Introduction to Sexual Abuse & Assault Personal Injury Cases
Sexual abuse and assault are severe crimes that leave the survivors with deep physical and emotional scars. These violations often have lifelong repercussions, affecting a person’s well-being, relationships, and self-esteem. When these events occur, survivors have the right to seek justice, not only through criminal proceedings but also by filing a personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits allow survivors to obtain compensation for the damages they’ve suffered.
Common Sexual Abuse & Assault Personal Injury Cases
- Child Sexual Abuse: This form of abuse often occurs at the hands of adults trusted by the child, such as family members, teachers, coaches, or religious leaders.
- Elder Sexual Abuse: This form of abuse often takes place in care facilities, such as nursing homes, perpetrated by caregivers or other residents.
- Workplace Sexual Harassment and Assault: These incidents often involve co-workers, supervisors, or managers.
- Campus Sexual Assault: These cases typically involve students assaulted in colleges or universities, often by fellow students.
- Domestic Sexual Abuse: This form involves abuse perpetrated by a current or former romantic partner.
Kentucky Law on Sexual Abuse & Assault
In Kentucky, sexual abuse and assault are treated as serious crimes. For the purpose of personal injury lawsuits, it’s important to be aware of the statute of limitations, which is the period within which a lawsuit must be filed. For most personal injury cases in Kentucky, this period is one year. However, for cases of child sexual abuse, Kentucky law provides a window until the survivor’s 28th birthday to file a lawsuit.
Kentucky law also recognizes the doctrine of “vicarious liability,” which means that an employer or organization can be held liable for the actions of its employees or members in certain situations.
Resources for More Information:

- Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 510 – Sexual Offenses: Link
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Link
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center: Link
- End Rape on Campus: Link
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Link
- The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study: Link
If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse or assault in Kentucky, it is recommended to reach out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to understand your rights and options. These professionals are skilled in guiding survivors through the complex process of filing a lawsuit and can provide valuable support and advice.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.