How To File A Sex Abuse Lawsuit In Oregon (2026)

The Process for a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Oregon

If you choose to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse in Oregon, the process should look something like this:

• You schedule a consultation with a sexual abuse attorney, who will listen to your story and answer questions you may have about the legal process
• If the attorney accepts your case, they begin gathering evidence
• They prepare and file the lawsuit
• They try to negotiate a settlement
• If no settlement is reached, they represent you in court

Often, what might prevent survivors of this type of assault from reaching out for help is worry about costs. A personal injury lawyer will generally not charge up front, however. They work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you only pay if and when you get a settlement or a jury award. This helps to remove one less worry you may have.

Once you choose an attorney, they can help you understand what to expect going forward. They will clearly explain each step of the process so that there are as few surprises as possible.

Damages Survivors Can Seek in Oregon

Sexual assault settlement amounts can vary significantly. However, survivors can often recover economic damages for medical bills, lost income and other financial losses. Your attorney will gather evidence, like medical records and pay stubs, to show the losses you sustained so that you can receive fair compensation.

Sex abuse leaves scars that are not always quantifiable, though. That is why the law allows you to also be compensated for intangible losses like pain and suffering and emotional distress through non-economic damages. To calculate these damages, your lawyer will consider the severity of the injuries you sustained, how the attack impacts your life and a variety of other factors.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Oregon?

How long you have to file depends on whether you were an adult, a child or a vulnerable person under Oregon law at the time of the abuse:

If You Were an Adult

If you were abused as an adult, you have two years to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse in Oregon. There may be some exceptions to this rule, though. If, for example, the defendant leaves the state before you’re able to file the claim, you can toll the statute of limitations. As soon as they step back into Oregon, the clock will start ticking again.

If You Were a Child

If you suffered sexual abuse in Oregon when you were a child, you have until your 40th birthday to file a lawsuit. However, the discovery rule also applies in these cases.

This means that you have five years from the time you realized the abuse caused physical or psychological injury to file a lawsuit, even if you are age 40 or older.

Oregon is one of the few states that offers this amount of time to file a claim after childhood sex abuse. This makes it easier for survivors to get the closure they deserve.

If You Were a Vulnerable Person

Under Oregon law, you are classified as a vulnerable person if:

• You are elderly
• You’re financially incapable
• You’re incapacitated
• You’re physically or mentally disabled

If you were a vulnerable person, you have seven years after the abuse to file a lawsuit.

Sex Abuse Lawsuit: Who Can I Sue?

Depending on the circumstances of your abuse, you may be able to sue your individual abusers and any institutions that tried to hide or enable the abuse. For example, if you suffered sex abuse at a long-term care facility, you can sue the institution if it was negligent in hiring someone with a criminal record, or if the facility didn’t have appropriate security measures in place for its residents.

It’s also possible to file against the employer of the perpetrator. If you were abused at school, vicarious liability could make the employer, or the school, responsible for the actions of their employee.

In some instances, you may also be able to file a claim against the owner of the property where the abuse occurred. If they were negligent and that assisted the perpetrator in having access to you, then that could be enough to hold them liable.

Choosing a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Oregon

Sexual abuse cases come with unique challenges and complexities, so it’s critically important to choose a personal injury lawyer in Oregon with a strong track record involving sexual abuse and assault cases.

The right person will have a compassionate attitude that puts you at ease as you navigate these difficult legal processes. They should be ready to listen to you and fight for your rights. With the right attorney by your side, you have a better chance of recovering fair compensation.

ConsumerShield can connect you with carefully vetted lawyers in Oregon who can make a difference in your case. Fill out our contact form to start with a free case review!