New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo once again acted to extend the deadline for filing new childhood sexual abuse claims under New York’s Child Victims Act.
First enacted in 2019, this legislation gave adult survivors of child sex abuse, who were previously barred from filing a civil claim by the New York statute of limitations, the ability to file a civil claim until Aug. 14, 2020. Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to continued closures and a reduction in court services, thus limiting the ability for survivors’ attorneys to file and prepare cases, Cuomo acted to extend the deadline to Aug. 14, 2021. This is the second 6-month extension of the deadline.
“The Child Victims Act brought a long-needed pathway to justice for people who were abused, and helps right wrongs that went unacknowledged and unpunished for far too long and we cannot let this pandemic limit the ability for survivors to have their day in court,” Cuomo stated. “As New York continues to reopen and recover from a public health crisis, extending the lookback window is the right thing to do and will help ensure that abusers and those who enabled them are held accountable.”
The Zalkin Law Firm, LLP is representing survivors in New York who are filing claims under the Child Victims Act. We are accepting inquiries from survivors who want to explore their legal options under this law.
To learn more about the extension, read the full Democrat & Chronicle article here. For a free case consultation, contact The Zalkin Law Firm, LLP online or at (800) 477-2989.