Florida Child Sexual Abuse and Molestation Lawyers

Child sexual abuse can affect a survivor and family for years after the abuse ends. In addition to the criminal justice system, Florida law may allow survivors to pursue civil claims against the person who committed the abuse and, in appropriate circumstances, against a church, school, daycare, apartment complex, youth organization, medical facility, employer, property owner, or other entity whose conduct may have contributed to the abuse.

The Florida child sexual abuse and molestation lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason Turchin represent survivors and families in civil claims involving sexual abuse, molestation, sexual assault, negligent supervision, negligent hiring, negligent security, and institutional failures that may have allowed abuse to occur.

Our firm has represented numerous victims of child sexual abuse in cases involving churches, youth leaders, apartment communities, shopping centers, daycares, medical facilities, and other settings. Every case is different, and whether a civil claim may exist depends on the facts, available evidence, applicable law, and potential defendants.

If you or your child was sexually abused in Florida, call 800-337-7755 or contact us online for a confidential consultation. Civil sexual abuse cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees or costs owed to our firm unless there is a recovery.

Can a Child Sexual Abuse Victim File a Civil Lawsuit in Florida?

Potentially, yes. A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit are separate legal proceedings.

Criminal prosecutors may pursue charges against the person accused of committing sexual abuse. The purpose of the criminal case is generally to determine whether the accused committed a crime and, if convicted, what criminal punishment should apply.

A civil lawsuit can focus on the harm suffered by the survivor and whether one or more individuals or organizations may be financially responsible for that harm.

A civil child sexual abuse case could potentially involve claims against:

• The person accused of committing the abuse
• A church or religious organization
• A school or educational institution
• A daycare or childcare facility
• A youth organization
• A sports organization or coach
• A camp or recreational program
• An apartment complex or property owner
• A medical facility
• A hospital or treatment center
• A nursing home or assisted living facility
• An employer that hired or supervised the accused person
• Another organization that allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to protect the victim

A civil claim against an institution usually requires more than simply showing that abuse occurred. The particular legal theory may depend on what the organization knew or reasonably should have known, its relationship to the accused person and survivor, what safety procedures existed, whether complaints had been made previously, and whether reasonable precautions could have prevented the abuse.

What Is Child Molestation?

The word “molestation” is commonly used to describe sexual contact or sexual abuse involving a child. Florida criminal statutes use more specific terms depending on the conduct and ages involved, including sexual battery and lewd or lascivious offenses.

For purposes of a civil case, the exact criminal charge is not necessarily the only issue. A civil investigation may examine the underlying conduct, the harm caused to the survivor, and whether another person or organization may also bear legal responsibility.

Our firm also handles broader sexual assault civil claims and crime victim rights cases.

Where Can Child Sexual Abuse Occur?

Child sexual abuse can occur anywhere an adult or older person has access to a child. In many civil cases, the accused person is not a stranger. The person may occupy a position of authority or trust that gives them repeated access to the child.

Cases may involve alleged abuse by:

• Teachers
• Daycare employees
• Coaches
• Pastors, priests, ministers, or youth leaders
• Counselors
• Babysitters
• Neighbors
• Apartment complex employees
• Medical providers
• Hospital or facility staff
• Camp employees
• Youth organization volunteers
• Family members or family acquaintances

The relationship between the accused person and an institution can become important. For example, an investigation may examine who hired or supervised the individual, whether a background check was performed, whether prior warning signs existed, and whether organizational policies intended to protect children were followed.

Florida Church Sexual Abuse and Molestation Claims

Churches and religious organizations often provide youth programs, schools, camps, counseling, transportation, and other activities that place adults in positions of trust around children.

A civil claim involving alleged abuse by a pastor, youth leader, employee, or volunteer may examine issues such as:

• Prior complaints or accusations
• Background checks
• Hiring and retention decisions
• Supervision of employees or volunteers
• Whether the accused person was permitted to be alone with children
• Whether two-adult or similar child-protection policies existed
• Whether those policies were followed
• How the organization responded to warning signs or reports

Our firm has represented survivors in claims involving alleged abuse associated with churches and youth ministry programs. Learn more about Florida church molestation lawsuits.

Daycare and Childcare Sexual Abuse Claims

Parents entrust daycare facilities with the safety of children who may be too young to recognize, understand, or report inappropriate conduct.

A claim involving alleged abuse at a daycare may require investigation into employee screening, staffing levels, supervision, classroom practices, camera footage, prior complaints, facility policies, licensing information, and how employees were permitted to interact with children.

Our related daycare injury practice addresses other potential claims involving injuries to children in childcare settings.

School, Coach, Camp, and Youth Organization Abuse

Schools, athletic programs, camps, clubs, and youth organizations can provide adults with significant authority and access to children. Abuse allegations may involve teachers, coaches, counselors, volunteers, transportation personnel, or other adults connected with a program.

A civil case may examine whether an institution adequately screened personnel, investigated prior concerns, enforced boundaries between adults and children, responded to complaints, or reasonably supervised activities.

Electronic communications can also become important. Text messages, direct messages, emails, social media communications, and other digital evidence may help establish the relationship between the accused person and child.

Apartment Complex and Community Molestation Claims

Sexual abuse can also occur in apartment communities, condominiums, gated developments, and other residential properties.

Our firm has handled claims involving children allegedly abused within residential communities. Depending on the circumstances, potential issues may include negligent security, property management practices, employee screening, prior incidents, access controls, or information allegedly known to management.

A property owner is not automatically responsible merely because a crime occurred on its property. The facts must support a legally viable theory of responsibility.

Learn more about Florida apartment complex child molestation claims and our broader crime victim and negligent security practice.

Sexual Abuse in Hospitals and Medical Facilities

Patients can be particularly vulnerable while under anesthesia, sedated, medicated, physically incapacitated, undergoing an examination, or otherwise dependent on medical personnel.

Sexual abuse or assault allegations involving a physician, nurse, technician, therapist, aide, or other healthcare worker may lead to both criminal and civil investigations.

A civil investigation may consider issues such as employee screening, prior complaints, supervision, facility policies, whether another staff member should have been present, and whether the organization responded appropriately to prior warning signs.

Sexual Abuse of Vulnerable Adults and Elderly Patients

Sexual abuse claims are not limited to children. Vulnerable adults may also be at risk, particularly when they depend on others for medical treatment, personal care, housing, or daily assistance.

Cases may involve alleged abuse at:

• Nursing homes
• Assisted living facilities
• Hospitals
• Group homes
• Home health settings
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Mental health facilities

Our firm also handles nursing home abuse and neglect claims.

Can an Organization Be Responsible for Sexual Abuse Committed by Someone Else?

Potentially. The person who committed the abuse may bear direct responsibility, but a civil investigation can also look at whether another individual or organization contributed to the circumstances that allowed the abuse to happen.

Potential legal theories may include negligent hiring, negligent retention, negligent supervision, negligent security, or other forms of negligence depending on the relationship among the parties and applicable Florida law.

Examples of issues that may become important include:

• Prior complaints against the accused person
• Criminal or employment background information
• Previous allegations of inappropriate conduct
• Violations of child-safety policies
• Failure to investigate complaints
• Allowing unsupervised access to children
• Failure to train employees or volunteers
• Failure to report suspected abuse when legally required
• Ignoring warning signs

Whether any of these circumstances creates civil liability depends on the specific evidence and legal duties involved.

What Damages May Be Available in a Florida Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Sexual abuse can cause both immediate and long-term harm. The damages available in a particular civil case depend on the facts, evidence, defendants, legal theories, and applicable law.

A claim may potentially include compensation for:

• Psychological counseling and therapy
• Past and future medical expenses
• Post-traumatic stress and related psychological injury
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Other economic and noneconomic damages permitted by law

Some survivors experience effects that do not become fully apparent until years later. Others may require substantial counseling or mental health treatment. Each survivor’s experience is different, and a civil claim should reflect the specific harm alleged rather than assuming every survivor experiences abuse in the same way.

Do You Need a Criminal Conviction to File a Civil Sexual Abuse Claim?

Not necessarily. Criminal and civil cases operate under different procedures and standards of proof.

A civil claim may potentially proceed even if there was no criminal prosecution or conviction, depending on the evidence and applicable law. Likewise, the existence of a criminal charge or conviction does not automatically establish liability against an institution or other third party.

A civil lawyer can evaluate the available evidence independently of the criminal process.

What Evidence Can Matter in a Child Sexual Abuse Civil Case?

Sexual abuse cases can involve evidence extending far beyond the survivor’s initial report.

Potentially relevant evidence may include:

• Text messages and emails
• Social media and direct messages
• Photographs and videos
• School, church, daycare, or employment records
• Personnel files
• Background checks
• Prior complaints
• Internal investigation records
• Incident reports
• Police and criminal court records
• DCF records when available
• Medical and counseling records
• Witness statements
• Policies concerning adult access to children
• Training records
• Security footage
• Communications among administrators or supervisors

Organizations may possess important records that survivors do not have. If litigation is filed, discovery may provide mechanisms for obtaining documents and testimony relevant to the claim.

Will My Identity Be Made Public If I File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Privacy is an understandable concern for many survivors.

Florida law provides certain protections concerning the identity of sexual offense victims. For example, Florida Statutes section 794.026 addresses certain communications of identifying information concerning sexual crime victims.

Courts may also permit additional privacy protections in some circumstances. Whether a survivor can proceed anonymously, use initials, seal particular information, or obtain another protective order depends on the court and circumstances of the case.

We can discuss available options for protecting sensitive information and minimizing unnecessary disclosure.

Examples of Sexual Abuse Cases Our Firm Has Handled

Over the years, our firm has represented survivors and families in a variety of civil sexual abuse and molestation claims. Examples have included:

• Church and youth ministry claims: We have represented minors in matters involving allegations of abuse by church personnel or youth leaders. Investigations may examine supervision practices, prior warning signs, and whether policies designed to prevent adults from being alone with children were followed.
• Apartment and residential community claims: We have represented children allegedly abused in apartment communities. Depending on the facts, an investigation may examine background information, prior complaints, security practices, and what management knew or reasonably should have known.
• Shopping center claims: We have handled a matter involving an allegation that a child was molested in a shopping center restroom. The investigation included the circumstances preceding the incident and activity around the restroom area.
• Patient sexual abuse claims: We have represented patients in matters involving alleged sexual misconduct while receiving medical care or while particularly vulnerable.
• Daycare claims: We have represented children in cases involving alleged abuse by childcare personnel.
• Church molestation claims: Our firm has handled multiple claims involving alleged sexual abuse associated with pastors, church personnel, or other individuals given access to children through religious organizations.

Prior cases and results do not guarantee a similar outcome in another matter. Every sexual abuse claim depends on its individual evidence and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Can parents sue if their child was molested in Florida?

A civil claim may potentially be brought on behalf of a minor who suffered sexual abuse. The available claims and parties depend on the facts, who committed the abuse, where it occurred, and whether another person or institution may also bear legal responsibility.

Can I sue a church for child sexual abuse in Florida?

Potentially. A claim against a church or religious organization may involve allegations concerning negligent hiring, supervision, retention, reporting, or other conduct. The mere fact that the accused person was connected with a church does not automatically establish institutional liability.

Can a daycare be sued if an employee sexually abuses a child?

Potentially. A civil investigation may examine the daycare’s screening, hiring, supervision, policies, staffing, prior complaints, and response to warning signs.

Can an adult sue for sexual abuse that happened when they were a child?

Potentially. Florida has special statutes of limitations applicable to certain childhood abuse and sexual offense claims. The deadline depends on the nature of the claim, age of the survivor, date of abuse, defendant, and other circumstances.

What if nobody was criminally charged?

A lack of criminal charges does not necessarily prevent a civil claim. Criminal prosecutors and civil litigants operate under different legal procedures and burdens of proof.

What if the accused person was never convicted?

A criminal conviction is not necessarily required for every civil sexual abuse claim. The civil case depends on the available evidence and applicable legal standards.

Can a school be responsible for abuse committed by a teacher or coach?

Potentially, depending on the facts. Issues can include hiring, background checks, supervision, prior complaints, reporting, and whether the institution reasonably responded to warning signs.

Can I sue an apartment complex after my child was sexually assaulted there?

Potentially. The claim would depend on the relationship between the property and accused person, foreseeability, prior incidents, security or management issues, and other facts. For example, you may be able to sue the apartment complex if they failed to do a background check on the abuser, failed to review the background, or had a duty to do so or said they would but did not do so.

How much is a child sexual abuse lawsuit worth?

There is no standard settlement value. Potential damages depend on the nature and duration of the abuse, psychological injuries, treatment needs, impact on the survivor’s life, available evidence, legally responsible defendants, insurance or assets, and other circumstances.

How much does it cost to hire a Florida sexual abuse lawyer?

We handle qualifying civil sexual abuse and molestation cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no fees or costs owed to our firm unless there is a recovery. The specific terms are explained in the written representation agreement.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin for a Child Sexual Abuse Claim?

Sexual abuse litigation requires sensitivity as well as careful legal investigation. These cases can involve childhood trauma, institutional records, criminal investigations, negligent supervision claims, prior allegations, witnesses, insurance coverage, and complex statute of limitations issues.

Jason Turchin has been selected to Super Lawyers each year from 2020 through 2026 and was previously selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2011 and from 2013 through 2016. He has received an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating and was AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026.

The firm received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award in 2026 and has maintained an A+ BBB rating annually from 2014 through 2026.

Jason is a Lifetime Charter Member of Best Attorneys of America and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum list and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum list. He was also named to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® list in 2026, 7 Figure Litigators® – America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers® in 2026, and the 2026 MyLegalWin Top Attorneys in America list.

His legal commentary and work have been featured in or on CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, USA Today, and Rolling Stone.

Ratings, awards, memberships, media recognition, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in another case.

Speak With a Florida Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

If you, your child, or another loved one was sexually abused or molested in Florida, the Law Offices of Jason Turchin can review the circumstances and discuss whether a civil claim may be available against the person who committed the abuse or another potentially responsible party.

We understand that discussing sexual abuse can be difficult. Our team can work with survivors and families respectfully and can discuss options that may be available to protect sensitive information during the legal process.

For additional information, you can also review our child molestation and sexual abuse resources.

Call 800-337-7755 or chat with our live agents for a confidential consultation. Civil child sexual abuse cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees or costs owed to our firm unless there is a recovery.