The Abuse Guardians, a national network of legal professionals focused on protecting the rights of sexual abuse survivors, has appointed Stewart Ryan, Esq. as the Abuse Guardian for New Jersey. This designation highlights Stewart's exceptional expertise and resolute commitment to safeguarding survivors' interests. With over 90 years of total trial experience, the firm's legal team have successfully pursued justice for many survivors, taking on cases against significant defendants such as the Catholic Church, private boarding schools, and national massage spa chains.
In New Jersey, survivors of sexual abuse and assault have two distinct avenues for obtaining justice: the criminal legal system and the civil legal system. While the criminal system concentrates on holding perpetrators accountable to society, the civil system permits survivors to pursue justice as individuals. Through civil lawsuits, survivors can seek accountability from both perpetrators and negligent third parties who may have enabled the abuse.
New Jersey's civil law authorizes survivors to file lawsuits based on different legal theories. Cases against offenders often rely on intentional torts such as attack, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Lawsuits against liable entities, such as companies, religious institutions, or organizations, are typically based on the legal theory of negligence, which concerns the failure to maintain a pre-existing duty of care.
Recent changes in New Jersey law have extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. Adult survivors of sexual assault now have 24 months from the date of the assault or 84 months from realizing the harm caused to file a lawsuit, whichever is later. For child sexual abuse survivors, the law permits filing until their 55th birthday or within 84 months of realizing the harm caused by the abuse. Additionally, a 24-month window has been opened for victims previously restricted by the statute of limitations, enabling them to file suits for abuse that happened decades ago.