Here’s What That Actually Means for You.
Because the trauma of sexual assault is brutally disabling + disorienting, survivors can fall into an emotional black hole. You went through something (awful is an unsatisfactory choice of words). Maybe you didn’t come forward right away. Maybe you weren’t ready, maybe you were scared, maybe you didn’t think anyone would believe you. Maybe you just needed to survive first. But what happens when you wait too long?
What Is the Statute of Limitations and Why Does It Matter?
We’ve talked a lot here about SOL/ statute of limitations and how the rules are different depending on the state. In a nutshell, SOL is the length of time you have after being assaulted (or formally understanding that you were assaulted) to seek legal help. The point is, sexual assault survivors often don’t have the headspace to come forward until time’s already up.
What Changed in California?
California has special deadline rules for some civil lawsuits involving adult sexual assault. Generally, survivors have either 10 years from the assault or 3 years from discovering that an injury was connected to the assault to file a claim, whichever period allows more time. But California has also created temporary “lookback windows” that may allow some older claims to move forward.
Under AB 2777, some adult sexual assault claims involving conduct from January 1, 2009 or later may be filed until December 31, 2026.
Under AB 250, some older adult sexual assault claims that were already past the deadline may be filed between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027.
For claims against private organizations under AB 250, survivors generally need to show that the organization was legally responsible and that it covered up, or tried to cover up, earlier sexual assault allegations. AB 250 does not apply to claims against public entities, like government agencies or public schools.
California AB 2777, the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act (2022), is a three-year lookback window open until December 31, 2026, designed to give SA survivors hurt on or after January 1, 2009, the chance to seek justice, especially when perpetrators attempted to orchestrate a coverup to prevent justice, regardless of dates.
Sidenote: California passed milestone legislation (California Assembly Bill 452), effective January 1, 2024, that forever cancels SOL for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
What Types of Cases Can Be Filed Now?
- Sexual assault lawsuits against individuals or private organizations (think workplace, camps, churches, doctors’ offices, hospitals, sports practice or events + juvenile detention centers, etc.) that failed to protect you or concealed abuse.
- Ditto sexual harassment lawsuits.
Can A Case for Women Help Me?
Can we ever. We were born to help you fight what we call the Big Bads, mammoth corporations and institutional entities that value profit over the safety of their consumers. Endless defendants, under the category of sexual assault alone, have been identified and taken to the mat, including:
We are here around the clock to hear you and really listen. P.S. When we say “we,” we mean real humans with heart and knowledge.
Contact us, 24/7/365 for help. Remember exactly how we treated you. No hesitations – you’re safe with us.
Sources
J C Serrano, “California Adult Sexual Assault Revival Window Lawyer: AB 250 and AB 2777 Deadlines Under CCP § 340.16,” 1000 Attorneys, April 2026.
