Justice Delayed, Not Denied: Reviving Long-Past Abuse Claims Under New Jersey’s Child Victims Act
Childhood sexual abuse can leave scars that take decades to surface. Until recently, New Jersey’s short filing deadlines forced many survivors to stay silent, believing the courthouse door had slammed shut. The New Jersey Child Victims Act (CVA) changed that. If you were abused in New Jersey—no matter how long ago—you may still have a powerful civil claim for damages and accountability.
What the Child Victims Act Does—and Why It Still Matters in 2025
Longer statute of limitations: Survivors can sue until age 55 or within seven years of first realizing their abuse caused harm. That discovery-rule safety valve recognizes that trauma often delays disclosure.
Revival of expired claims: The law opened a unique two-year “look-back” window (December 1, 2019, through November 30, 2021), letting anyone file even if their case was previously time-barred. Although the window has closed, the CVAs’ extended deadlines still keep many cases alive today.
Institutional liability: Schools, churches, treatment centers, youth programs, foster-care agencies, and the State itself can all be sued if they enabled the abuse or covered it up.
Momentum Is Building—Big Verdicts & Growing Caseloads
Record verdicts. In March 2024, a New Jersey jury awarded $25 million to a survivor abused in the state foster-care system—the first CVA trial against the State. The size of the award underscores the jury’s willingness to hold institutions fully accountable.
A wave of new lawsuits. By April 2025, at least 150 CVA suits targeted state-run child treatment centers, with more filings monthly.
Institutions are scrambling for coverage. The Diocese of Trenton is now suing its insurers to pay “an onslaught” of CVA claims—proof that even well-resourced defendants feel the pressure.
Am I Eligible to File?
You may have a viable CVA claim if all three statements are factual:
You were under 18 when the abuse occurred in New Jersey.
You are under 55 today or within seven years of first connecting the abuse to your injuries (I.E., PTSD, depression, or addiction).
You did not settle or fully litigate the same claim before.
Even if you’re unsure about the timing, talk to a lawyer—statute-of-limitations calculations can be nuanced, especially when multiple perpetrators or institutions are involved.
How Edelstein Law Can Help
Trauma-informed representation: We handle every conversation with dignity and confidentiality—no retelling your story in open court unless you choose.
Institutional discovery muscle: Our litigators can subpoena decades-old personnel files, insurance policies, and hidden correspondence to prove systemic negligence.
Multi-state perspective: Based in Philadelphia and licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we seamlessly manage cross-border evidence and venue strategies.
No fee unless we win: We advance all costs; you owe nothing unless we recover compensation.
Time Is Still Critical!
Memories fade, witnesses relocate, and records can disappear. The sooner you act, the stronger your case—and the quicker you can start healing with financial resources for therapy, medical care, and lost income.
Ready to Talk? Let’s Start the Conversation.
Your first step is a free, confidential consultation with an Edelstein Law attorney specializing in survivor litigation.
Call (215) 893-9311 or Text (215) 436-8090
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