Ohio Sexual Assault Victims Have Legal Options
A civil claim is available to sexual assault survivors regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or a conviction was reached. Andy Goldwasser represents survivors in Ohio, pursuing accountability from the individuals and institutions responsible. Your consultation is free and confidential.
Top 50 Cleveland Super Lawyer. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center board member and governance committee chair.
What a Civil Sexual Assault Claim Can Do
In a civil sexual assault claim, you are the plaintiff. You pursue financial accountability directly from the people who harmed you and the institutions that allowed it to happen.
A civil claim does not require a prior criminal conviction. It does not depend on whether law enforcement investigated or whether charges were ever filed. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal trial, which is why cases that ended without a conviction, or that never reached the criminal system at all, can still succeed civilly.
OhioSexAbuseLawyer.com is Andy Goldwasser's dedicated practice for adult survivors of sexual assault. Andy has spent over 25 years representing survivors in cases against individuals and institutions throughout Ohio and across the country, building what the firm describes as "particularized expertise in sexual abuse." If you were assaulted, you may have a civil claim worth pursuing.
Types of Sexual Assault Cases We Handle
Adult survivors of sexual assault can pursue civil claims across many different circumstances. If any of the following describes your situation, there may be legal options available.
Assault by a Person in Authority
Sexual assault committed by a supervisor, employer, coach, teacher, or other person who held power over you in a professional or institutional setting.
Assault in the Workplace
Sexual assault that occurred at a workplace, including incidents facilitated by management failures, inadequate security, or a hostile work environment.
Assault at a School or University
Sexual assault that occurred on school grounds, at campus events, or in connection with a school-sponsored program, team, or activity.
Assault Within a Religious Setting
Sexual assault committed by clergy, staff, or volunteers at a church, parish, or other religious organization, including long-past abuse.
Assault Within a Sports Organization
Sexual assault tied to an athletic program, club, sports team, or national governing body that failed to screen or supervise its members.
Assault in a Care or Treatment Setting
Sexual assault in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility, or other care environment where an institution had a duty to protect you.
Human Trafficking Survivors
Survivors of sex trafficking can pursue civil claims against traffickers, facilitators, and businesses or organizations that enabled or profited from the abuse.
Assault by an Individual
Not all civil sexual assault claims involve institutional defendants. Andy can evaluate whether civil liability extends beyond the individual who committed the assault.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Civil Claim
Most sexual assault civil claims involve more than one responsible party. When an institution (a school, employer, church, sports organization, or business) knew about a risk and failed to act, that institution can face civil liability alongside the individual who committed the assault.
Andy Goldwasser focuses on institutional accountability. That means investigating not just what one person did, but what the organization knew, what it ignored, and what safeguards were missing. Institutional defendants typically carry insurance and assets, which directly affects the practical value of a civil claim.
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Employers and Businesses
Companies that failed to prevent workplace sexual assault, ignored complaints, or retained an employee they knew posed a risk to others.
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Schools and Universities
Educational institutions that failed to respond to known abuse, inadequately supervised staff or students, or created environments where assault could occur.
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Churches and Religious Organizations
Religious institutions that enabled abuse by clergy or staff, failed to investigate complaints, or transferred known offenders without warning.
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Sports Organizations and Leagues
National governing bodies, youth sports clubs, and athletic programs that failed to screen coaches, volunteers, or staff and allowed abuse to continue.
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Healthcare and Care Facilities
Hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers that employed or retained staff who committed sexual assault against patients in their care.
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Hotels and Event Venues
Businesses that failed to provide adequate security or created conditions that made guests or attendees vulnerable to assault on their premises.
Steps to Consider After a Sexual Assault
There is no single right way to respond after a sexual assault. But certain steps can protect your wellbeing, preserve your options, and strengthen a future civil claim. Here is a practical starting point.
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Step 1: Prioritize Your Safety and Medical Care
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you were recently assaulted and have not yet sought medical care, a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) can provide both treatment and forensic documentation. Evidence collected shortly after an assault is among the most valuable documentation in a civil case, but it cannot be collected retroactively. The decision to report to law enforcement is entirely yours. A civil claim does not depend on it.
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Step 2: Write Down What You Remember
Document what happened as soon as you are able, even if it is just notes on your phone. Include dates, locations, names, and details of the incident. Memories shift over time. A contemporaneous written account can be a meaningful asset, particularly when the assault occurred in an institutional setting where records may also exist.
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Step 3: Preserve Evidence and Communications
Do not delete text messages, emails, or social media messages related to the assault or the person who committed it. If the assault occurred at a workplace or institution, preserve any policies, handbooks, or communications you have access to. Evidence that exists now may not be available later.
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Step 4: Speak to an Attorney Before Filing Complaints
Before filing a complaint with HR, a school, or a licensing board, speak with a civil attorney. The steps you take in those institutional processes can affect a future civil claim. Andy Goldwasser offers free, confidential consultations so you can understand your options before making decisions that could limit them.
What a Successful Civil Claim Can Recover
A civil sexual assault case pursues financial compensation for what you have endured. No specific outcome can be promised, but the following categories represent real losses that Ohio civil law allows survivors to recover. For a full breakdown, see our damages overview.
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Medical and Therapy Costs
Past and future medical treatment, mental health counseling, and therapy costs directly resulting from the assault, including any ongoing care required as its lasting effects become clear.
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Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Economic losses from missed work, leaving a job, or reduced career prospects, including the long-term impact on your earning ability that results from the assault and its aftermath.
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Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Harm
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and other psychological harm resulting from the assault and its aftermath.
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Loss of Enjoyment and Quality of Life
Damages for the lasting disruption to your relationships, daily functioning, and ability to experience the quality of life you had before the assault.
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Punitive Damages From Institutions
In cases involving particularly egregious institutional conduct, punitive damages may be available to hold those institutions further accountable.
How the Process Works After You Reach Out
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Free, Confidential Consultation
You contact the firm by phone or through the website. Andy Goldwasser personally reviews every potential case. The conversation is completely confidential, and nothing you share is disclosed without your consent. There is no cost and no obligation to proceed.
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Case Evaluation and Plan
If the firm agrees to take your case, Andy evaluates the facts, identifies the responsible parties, and establishes a clear strategy. You will understand the approach, the expected timeline, and what will be required at each stage before anything moves forward.
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Investigation and Case Building
The firm investigates thoroughly, gathering evidence, reviewing records, and identifying institutional failures. Andy has the resources to pursue cases against large institutional defendants and the willingness to take cases to trial when that is what the situation requires.
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Resolution Through Settlement or Trial
Most cases resolve through settlement, but the firm does not push for a quick settlement at the expense of a fair outcome. If a case goes to trial, Andy is an experienced trial attorney with a record of significant verdicts for survivors in federal and state courts.
Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Recover.
There is no upfront cost to speak with Andy Goldwasser about your situation. The consultation is free and confidential. If the firm takes your case, it works on a contingency fee basis, meaning no attorney fee is charged unless compensation is recovered. The firm advances all investigation and litigation costs. The fee percentage is discussed privately and varies by case.
No upfront costs. The firm advances all case expenses.
No attorney fee unless compensation is recovered.
Free, confidential consultation with no obligation to proceed.
Your privacy is protected from the very first conversation.
Ohio Deadlines for Sexual Assault Claims
Civil sexual assault claims in Ohio are subject to legal deadlines. Missing a filing deadline generally means losing the right to bring a claim, regardless of how strong it is.
Ohio's statute of limitations for sexual assault cases varies depending on the circumstances, including when the assault occurred, the age of the survivor at the time, and who is being sued. For adult survivors, the clock typically begins running from the date of the assault, but tolling provisions can pause or extend that window in certain circumstances, including cases where the survivor was unable to recognize the connection between the assault and their injuries at the time.
Ohio has also enacted expanded lookback provisions in recent years that have given some survivors additional time to pursue claims that would otherwise have been time-barred. Whether those provisions apply to your situation depends on the specific facts of your case.
Acting sooner also gives your case the best practical chance. Evidence can be lost. Witnesses' memories fade. Institutional records can disappear once an organization learns a claim may be coming. An early investigation can uncover documentation and witness accounts that a later one cannot.
If you are unsure whether your window to file has passed, speak with an attorney. Andy Goldwasser offers free, confidential consultations and can assess the specific deadlines that apply to your situation.
Case Results for Sexual Assault Survivors
The following results reflect the firm's track record in sexual assault cases. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
$4.2
Million Jury Verdict
United States Twirling Association, EDNY, June 2024. The jury found the association 88% responsible for the assault of a 17-year-old athlete. Named the 35th Highest Verdict in New York for 2025.
Andy Goldwasser: Ohio Sexual Assault Attorney
Andy Goldwasser has spent over 25 years representing sexual assault survivors in Ohio and nationally. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and chairs its governance committee. Lead paralegal Quenna Bell, a certified Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Ambassador, has supported survivors alongside Andy for approximately 20 years.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Board Member
Andy serves on the Board of Directors and chairs the governance committee, an active and ongoing commitment to Ohio's survivor community.
National Crime Victim Bar Association
NCVBA membership is specific to attorneys who represent crime victims and sexual abuse survivors, reflecting Andy's specialized focus in this area.
Top 50 Cleveland and Top 100 Ohio Super Lawyer
Recognized continuously since 2016. Super Lawyers selects honorees through peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.
Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury
Listed for Personal Injury and Product Liability since 2023. Named Lawyer of the Year for Products Liability in 2019, awarded to one attorney per metropolitan region.
American Board of Trial Advocacy (ABOTA)
ABOTA membership requires a proven record of jury trials and peer nomination, confirming Andy's standing as a trial attorney who takes cases to verdict.
National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Civil Plaintiff
Invitation-only recognition for the top civil plaintiff attorneys in Ohio, based on demonstrated case results and peer standing. Andy has been included since 2023.
Common Questions About Sexual Assault Claims
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No. A civil sexual assault claim is completely independent of the criminal justice system. You do not need to have reported the assault to law enforcement, and you do not need a criminal conviction to pursue civil action. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal trial. Andy has represented survivors in cases where no charges were ever filed.
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Possibly, depending on when it occurred and the specific circumstances of your case. Ohio has statutes of limitations that set filing deadlines, but tolling provisions and expanded lookback windows may apply to your situation. The only way to know whether your window has passed is to speak with an attorney. Andy offers free, confidential consultations to evaluate exactly that.
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In many cases, the individual's finances are not the deciding factor. Civil claims frequently focus on the institutions behind the assault: employers, schools, churches, sports organizations, and other entities that failed to prevent the harm. These defendants typically carry insurance and have assets, which is often where the strongest and most practical claim lies.
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Civil lawsuits become part of the public record, but there are legal options available to protect your identity depending on the facts of your case. Andy can explain what privacy protections may be available during the free initial consultation. Everything you share with the firm is protected by attorney-client privilege from your very first conversation.
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Yes. Everything you share during your consultation is completely confidential. You can speak openly about what happened with no obligation to proceed, and nothing is disclosed without your consent.
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Not necessarily. Many civil cases resolve through settlement without a trial. However, you should expect to be deposed at some point in the process. If the case goes to trial, your testimony may be important. Andy will prepare you for any proceedings and make sure you understand what to expect at every stage.
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It means there are no upfront costs. The firm handles your case at its own expense and charges no attorney fee unless it recovers compensation for you. If the case does not result in a recovery, you owe nothing. The specific percentage is discussed privately during the initial consultation and varies by case.
Other Types of Sexual Assault Cases We Handle
If your situation involves a different setting or context, one of the following pages may be more relevant to your circumstances.
Clergy and Religious Organization Abuse
Claims against churches and religious organizations that enabled or concealed abuse by clergy, staff, or volunteers.
Claims against schools and districts that failed to protect students from staff misconduct or peer-on-peer abuse.
Claims against sports organizations and governing bodies that enabled coaches or officials to abuse athletes in their programs.
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
Civil cases where the victim was drugged prior to the assault, including claims against venues and organizations that enabled the environment.
Broad claims against institutions that created conditions for abuse or failed to act on known misconduct within their organization.
Civil remedies for trafficking survivors, targeting those who trafficked, facilitated, or profited from the abuse.
Federal Title IX claims against schools and universities that failed to address sexual misconduct among students or staff.
Take the First Step. We're Here When You Are.
There is no cost to talk with Andy Goldwasser and no obligation after your consultation. The conversation is confidential. Andy will give you honest information about your situation and your options, whatever you decide to do next.