Michigan Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawyers

Full-Service Support for Victims of Sexual Abuse

If you or someone you love were sexually abused in Michigan, you may have grounds to seek financial compensation from your abuser and from any institution that failed to prevent the abuse. At Grewal Law PLLC, we devote a significant part of our practice to representing survivors in civil sexual abuse lawsuits that demand justice and accountability.

We have prevailed in high-stakes cases against universities, religious organizations, youth programs, and even federal agencies, and we continue to leverage our experience and resources to fight for survivors across Michigan and beyond. 

Our Michigan sexual abuse attorneys handle a wide range of cases, including:

• Clergy Sexual Abuse – We represent survivors abused by priests, ministers, or other religious leaders, and bring claims against churches and religious organizations that concealed misconduct or reassigned known abusers instead of protecting children and congregants.
• School Sexual Abuse – We pursue claims against public and private schools that failed to protect students from abusive teachers, coaches, or staff members, often despite prior warnings or complaints.
• Child Sexual Abuse – We fight for children and families harmed by trusted adults, caregivers, or institutions, holding accountable those who failed in their duty to protect the most vulnerable.
• Campus Sexual Abuse – We handle cases involving college and university students who were abused by professors, physicians, coaches, or staff, and pursue claims against schools that ignored reports or prioritized reputation over student safety.
• Sexual Harassment – We represent survivors who have endured harassment or abuse in the workplace, at school, or in other institutional settings, and hold employers and organizations accountable for hostile environments.
• Human Trafficking – We hold traffickers and the institutions that enabled them accountable, including businesses, hotels, and organizations that knowingly facilitated or profited from exploitation.

No matter the setting or the institution involved, our attorneys have the skill, compassion, and proven record to guide survivors through the legal process and toward the justice they deserve.

Michigan’s Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Sexual abuse lawsuits are civil claims that must be filed within specific time limits known as the statute of limitations. These deadlines are critically important. Once they expire, survivors can be barred from pursuing compensation and holding institutions accountable.

Current Law

• Childhood Sexual Abuse: Under current Michigan law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file a lawsuit until age 28, or within three years of discovering the connection between the abuse and resulting harm, whichever is later.
• Adult Sexual Abuse: Under Michigan law, survivors who were sexually abused as adults generally have 10 years from the date of the abuse to bring a civil claim for damages. This deadline is a specific exception to the general personal injury statute of limitations. 

Because this window is significant but not indefinite, it's essential to consult with an attorney promptly.

Reform Efforts

Michigan lawmakers have acknowledged that current deadlines often fall short of what survivors need. In recent years, a package of bills known as the Justice for Survivors reforms has advanced through the state legislature. 

If enacted, these laws would:

• Extend the civil statute of limitations, giving survivors of child sexual abuse until age 42, or 10 years from the incident, or seven years from discovery of the harm, whichever is later.
• Create a one-year revival window, allowing survivors whose claims were previously time-barred to file lawsuits.
• Remove immunity for government institutions, making it possible to sue schools, universities, and public agencies that knew or should have known about abuse but failed to act.

Although these reforms are not yet law, they signal a clear shift in Michigan toward expanding survivor rights and accountability for institutions. 

At Grewal Law PLLC, our Michigan sex abuse lawyers are closely tracking every development. Even if you believe your claim may have expired, new laws or revival windows could open the door to justice.

Do I Have a Case?

One of the most common questions survivors ask is whether they can still bring a case, especially if many years have passed, their abuser was never criminally charged, or the abuser is no longer alive. The truth is that whether you have a viable claim depends on the specific facts and circumstances of your situation.

Civil sexual abuse lawsuits are separate from criminal prosecutions. While the criminal system focuses on punishment and requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” civil cases focus on accountability and compensation, with a lower burden of proof. That means survivors may still be able to move forward even when the criminal system has failed them.

You may have a civil sexual abuse case if:

• Your abuser was never criminally investigated or charged.
• Your abuser was charged but acquitted in a criminal trial.
• Your abuser has since passed away.
• The abuse happened years or even decades ago, and you believed your legal options were closed.
• An institution (school, university, church, employer, youth organization, or government agency) knew or should have known about the abuse but failed to act.

Because these claims are fact-dependent — and because Michigan law is evolving and may offer a potential revival window for older claims in the future — the best way to understand your options is to speak with an attorney experienced in sexual abuse cases. 

At Grewal Law PLLC, we review each case individually and provide survivors with clear guidance about whether they may be able to pursue a lawsuit.

Damages and Case Value

Civil sexual abuse lawsuits are not just about holding institutions accountable. They are also about helping survivors recover the resources they need to rebuild their lives. The harm caused by abuse is profound and often lifelong, which means these cases can result in significant compensation.

In a civil sexual abuse case, survivors may be entitled to recover damages for:

• Medical and mental health care – Past and future costs of therapy, counseling, medication, and other treatment.
• Pain and suffering – The emotional anguish, trauma, and psychological harm caused by abuse.
• Loss of quality of life – Impacts on relationships, daily living, and long-term well-being.
• Lost income and earning potential – Wages missed due to trauma or diminished ability to work in the future.
• Punitive damages – In cases of egregious misconduct, additional damages are meant to punish institutions that enabled abuse and deter others from similar failures.

Every survivor’s story is unique, and no two cases have the same value. At Grewal Law PLLC, we work with medical experts, economists, and psychologists to ensure that the full scope of harm is recognized and that survivors receive the maximum recovery possible.

What Constitutes Sexual Abuse & Assault?

Sexual abuse and assault are crimes under Michigan law, and while they have always been a problem in our society, the recent #MeToo movement has shown a bright spotlight on the issue – and revealed the far-reaching impacts of this problem. 

Sadly, the most vulnerable among us are disproportionately the victims of these crimes, including college students, teenagers, and children.

Statistics show that most incidents of sexual abuse and assault are perpetrated by someone the victim knows, such as a family friend, babysitter, coach, teacher, co-worker, or fellow student. When this is the case, many people (especially children) may not realize that what they have experienced is sexual abuse or assault.

Examples of sexual abuse and assault include:

• Any sexual contact with a child’s body
• Coercing someone to partake in a sexual act
• Rape, including statutory rape
• Committing sexual acts with someone who cannot consent
• Sexual battery and aggravated sexual assault
• Inappropriate touching of another person’s body
• Indecent exposure/exposure of genitals to a child
• Creating or displaying child pornography
• Incest and all incestuous acts, regardless of “consent”
• Using drugs and/or alcohol to sexually assault someone
• “Grooming” a child or teenager

This list is not exhaustive. Any type of sexual contact or act that occurs without the full, capable consent of two adults is sexual assault. Furthermore, while women are statistically more at risk, anyone can be a victim of sexual assault or abuse. This includes women, men, teenagers, children, and the elderly.

Take the Next Step: Call (888) 211-5798

Coming forward takes courage, but you do not have to take the next step alone. At Grewal Law PLLC, we represent adult and child sexual abuse survivors across Michigan and beyond. If you have questions about your rights or want to know whether you may have a case, our Michigan sexual abuse attorneys can help.

Call (888) 211-5798 or contact us online to speak with our sexual abuse & assault lawyers in Michigan. Consultations are FREE and confidential, and there are no legal fees unless we win.