Decatur, Alabama Sexual Abuse Attorney

Alabama law sets specific deadlines for filing sexual abuse claims. For adult survivors, you generally have 2 years from the date of the abuse or discovery. For childhood sexual abuse, Alabama’s statute of limitations is more complex — you may have until age 21 or longer depending on when the abuse occurred. Do not assume your time has expired. Contact our Decatur attorneys immediately for a free case evaluation.

Yes. If you were sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver in Decatur or anywhere in Alabama, you may have a civil claim against both the driver and the rideshare company. Uber and Lyft have faced widespread litigation for failing to properly screen and monitor their drivers. Our Decatur rideshare sexual assault attorneys have experience holding these companies accountable.

Yes. Institutions including the Catholic Diocese of Decatur, Decatur City Schools, UAB Hospital, and private organizations can be held liable if they knew or should have known about abuse and failed to act. Alabama law allows survivors to pursue civil claims against institutions for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention of abusers.

Most sexual abuse civil cases in Alabama settle before trial. However, our Decatur attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to the Morgan County Circuit Court or any Alabama court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. We will guide you through every step and never pressure you to accept a settlement that does not reflect the full extent of your damages.

Nothing upfront. Phillips & Associates works on a contingency fee basis — you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. There are no hourly fees, no retainers, and no out-of-pocket costs. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict we obtain for you. Your first consultation is completely free and confidential.

Alabama sexual abuse survivors may be entitled to compensation for: medical and psychological treatment costs, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages where the defendant’s conduct was especially egregious. In cases involving institutional cover-ups, punitive damages can be substantial.

Absolutely. Attorney-client privilege protects everything you share with us from the very first conversation. We understand that disclosing sexual abuse is one of the most difficult things a person can do. Our Decatur team handles every case with the utmost discretion. You can speak freely — nothing you tell us will be shared without your explicit consent.

No. A police report is not required to file a civil lawsuit in Alabama. Civil and criminal cases are entirely separate proceedings. Many survivors choose to pursue civil claims without involving law enforcement. What matters is the evidence of the abuse and its impact on your life — our Decatur attorneys will help you build a strong civil case regardless of whether criminal charges were filed.

Possibly yes. Alabama has specific provisions for childhood sexual abuse claims, and the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) under certain circumstances including delayed discovery of harm. Even if you were abused decades ago, you may still have legal options. Contact our Decatur attorneys for a free, confidential review of your specific situation — do not assume your case is too old.