If you or a loved one experienced child sexual abuse, you have the right to pursue justice and compensation. Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers represents survivors of child sexual abuse across Connecticut, including victims of institutional abuse, personal abuse, and negligent supervision. Our attorneys understand the trauma survivors face and work with compassion to hold abusers and negligent institutions accountable. With decades of combined experience in sexual abuse litigation and a track record of significant verdicts, we fight for the compensation survivors deserve.
Why Choose Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers for Your Child Sexual Abuse Case in Connecticut
When you choose Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers, you work with attorneys who have dedicated their careers to representing abuse survivors. Our legal team brings over 20 years of experience in sexual abuse litigation. We have received national recognition for our work in these cases.
Our team recovered a $485 million verdict in a foster care sexual abuse case. We also secured $100 million verdicts in additional abuse cases. These results demonstrate our ability to recover substantial compensation for survivors.
Our approach focuses on serious injury cases. We prepare every case for trial, not settlement. We use advanced data analysis and trial strategy to build compelling cases that juries understand and respond to.
Our attorneys speak nationally on sexual abuse litigation strategies. We mentor other trial lawyers in this field. Most importantly, we approach every client with compassion and respect for the trauma they have experienced.
We work on a contingency basis. You pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case confidentially.
Get the Compensation You Deserve. Our Experienced Lawyers Can Help.
Meet Our Experienced Child Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sean Claggett – Lead Trial Attorney
Sean Claggett has dedicated over 20 years to representing survivors of sexual abuse. He founded Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers in 2005 and co-founded Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers in Connecticut in 2024. Sean served as lead counsel on the $485 million jury verdict in a foster care sexual abuse case—one of the largest verdicts in this practice area.
Sean earned his J.D. cum laude from UNLV Boyd School of Law. He holds an AV Preeminent Rating and a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating. He was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Nevada Justice Association in 2017. Sean has been recognized as a Mountain States Super Lawyer from 2014-2022 and holds the Titan of Trial designation. He speaks nationally on sexual abuse litigation strategies and mentors trial lawyers across the country.
Andrew Garza – Trial Attorney
Andrew Garza is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024 in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer from 2016 to the present. Andrew was named Lawyer of the Year by the New England Legal Awards in 2023 and Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Keenan Trial Institute in 2022. He is also recognized as a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer.
Andrew brings extensive experience in complex litigation and has recovered millions for his clients. He combines thorough case preparation with compassionate client representation. Andrew is committed to holding institutions accountable for negligence and abuse.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse Under Connecticut Law
What Constitutes Child Sexual Abuse in Connecticut
Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult or older child engages in sexual contact or exploitation with a minor. Under Connecticut law, this includes physical sexual contact, sexual exploitation, grooming, and exposure to sexual material.
Abuse can occur in many settings. These include homes, schools, churches, youth organizations, daycare facilities, and foster care systems. The perpetrator may be a family member, authority figure, trusted adult, or stranger.
Connecticut law separates criminal abuse from civil liability. The state prosecutes criminal cases, which can lead to imprisonment. Survivors or their families file civil cases to seek compensation for damages.
You do not need a criminal conviction to file a civil claim. In many cases, survivors pursue civil claims even when the state does not file criminal charges or a jury acquits the defendant.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Connecticut Sexual Abuse Cases
Multiple parties can be liable in a child sexual abuse case. The direct perpetrator is always liable for the abuse.
Institutions and third parties may also face liability through civil lawsuits. Schools, churches, youth organizations, daycare facilities, and other institutions may be liable for negligent hiring, poor supervision, and failure to protect children in their care.
Supervisors, administrators, and other authority figures may also be liable if they knew or should have known about the abuse. They may face liability when they fail to report it or take action.
Parents or guardians who allowed abuse to occur in their homes may face liability as well.
The Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse in Connecticut
Connecticut law provides survivors with a generous timeline to pursue justice. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-577d, survivors have 30 years from their 21st birthday to file a civil claim for child sexual abuse.
This means an adult survivor who was abused as a child can file a lawsuit decades later. There is no time limit for reporting abuse while the victim is still a minor. A child can report at any age while under 18.
This extended statute of limitations recognizes an important reality. Many survivors do not come forward immediately. Trauma, shame, fear, and confusion often prevent children from disclosing abuse.
Many survivors do not feel ready to pursue legal action until they are adults. Connecticut’s law gives survivors the time they need to heal and decide whether to pursue a claim.
If you were abused as a child, you likely still have time to file a claim. Contact Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers to discuss your specific situation.
Let Us Fight for Your Rights and Maximize Your Compensation.
How Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers Builds Your Child Sexual Abuse Case
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Building a strong child sexual abuse case requires thorough investigation and careful evidence gathering. Our team identifies all potentially liable parties. These include the perpetrator, the institution where abuse occurred, supervisors who failed to protect, and anyone else who bears responsibility.
- We collect medical records, psychological evaluations, and documentation of injuries or trauma, and work with expert witnesses who can testify about the psychological impact of abuse and patterns of abusive behavior.
- We obtain institutional records, including hiring files, personnel records, complaint logs, and training materials. These records often reveal whether an institution knew about abuse risks or prior complaints and failed to act.
- We investigate whether the institution had adequate supervision policies in place, review background check procedures and reporting protocols, and examine criminal records and prior complaints against the perpetrator to identify a pattern of behavior.
- We interview witnesses, including family members, friends, teachers, and others. These witnesses can testify about the abuse and its impact on the survivor.
Proving Negligence and Institutional Liability
Many child sexual abuse cases involve institutional negligence. Schools, churches, youth organizations, and other institutions have a duty to protect children in their care. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable.
We prove negligence by showing that the institution failed in one or more duties:
- Negligent hiring (hiring someone with a history of abuse or without proper background checks)
- Negligent supervision (failing to supervise adequately or creating opportunities for abuse)
- Failure to report (not reporting suspected abuse to authorities as required by law)
- Failure to investigate (ignoring complaints or warning signs)
We also prove that the institution had knowledge or should have known about the risk of abuse. This might include prior complaints, prior incidents, training materials that acknowledged risks, or industry standards that required certain protections.
We show that the institution’s breach of duty directly caused the abuse and the survivor’s injuries. With this evidence, we hold institutions accountable and recover compensation for survivors.
Damages Available in Connecticut Child Sexual Abuse Cases
Survivors of child sexual abuse are entitled to recover damages for the harm they suffered. Medical and psychiatric treatment costs are recoverable. These include therapy, counseling, medication, and hospitalization.
Pain and suffering compensation covers the physical and emotional pain caused by the abuse. Emotional trauma damages address anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological injuries.
Lost wages and earning capacity compensate for income lost due to the abuse. These damages also account for effects on the survivor’s ability to work.
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be available. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Lifetime care and counseling expenses are also recoverable. This recognizes that many survivors need ongoing mental health support.
The total value of a case depends on several factors. These include the severity of the abuse, the extent of injuries, the defendant’s ability to pay, and available insurance coverage. Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers evaluates each case individually to determine its value and pursue maximum compensation.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Ready to Assist You.
Our Track Record of Results
Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers has recovered millions for survivors of child sexual abuse. Our case results demonstrate our commitment to holding abusers and negligent institutions accountable.
$485 Million Foster Care Sexual Abuse Verdict
Our team recovered a $485 million jury verdict in a foster care sexual abuse case. This verdict represents one of the largest awards in sexual abuse litigation. The case involved multiple victims and institutional negligence by a foster care agency. Our thorough investigation and compelling trial presentation resulted in this record-breaking recovery for survivors.
$100 Million+ Additional Sexual Abuse Verdicts
Beyond the $485 million verdict, we have secured multiple verdicts exceeding $100 million in additional sexual abuse cases. These cases involved institutional defendants, including schools, churches, and youth organizations. Each verdict reflects our ability to prove institutional negligence and recover substantial compensation for survivors.
Many cases settle before trial. Settlement amounts vary based on case strength, defendant resources, and insurance coverage. Our experience allows us to evaluate settlement offers and advise clients on whether to accept or proceed to trial. We never pressure clients to accept inadequate settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a child sexual abuse claim in Connecticut?
Connecticut law provides a 30-year window from the victim’s 21st birthday to file a civil claim. There is no time limit for reporting abuse while the victim is still a minor. If you were abused as a child, you likely still have time to pursue a claim. Contact Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers to discuss your specific timeline.
Can I sue the institution where the abuse occurred?
Yes. Schools, churches, youth organizations, daycare facilities, and other institutions can be liable for negligent hiring, poor supervision, failure to report, and failure to protect. In many of our cases, institutional defendants share responsibility for abuse that happened in their care.
What if the abuse happened many years ago?
Connecticut’s statute of limitations allows survivors to file claims decades after the abuse occurred. Many survivors come forward as adults, after they have had time to process the trauma and decide to pursue justice. The extended timeline recognizes that disclosure and legal action are difficult steps for survivors.
Do I need to prove the abuse in criminal court first?
No. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases. In a civil case, you must prove your claim by a preponderance of the evidence. This means it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred.
In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a much higher standard. You do not need a criminal conviction to pursue a civil claim.
What should I do if I suspect a child is being abused?
If you suspect a child is being abused, report it immediately to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) or local law enforcement. Certain professionals, including teachers, healthcare providers, and social workers, are mandatory reporters. They have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse. Reporting protects the child and creates an official record that may be important in future legal proceedings.
How much will my case be worth?
The value of a child sexual abuse case depends on many factors. These include the severity and duration of the abuse, the extent of physical and psychological injuries, the defendant’s ability to pay, and available insurance coverage. Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers evaluates each case individually and provides an honest assessment of its potential value during your free consultation.
Will my case go to trial?
Many cases settle before trial. However, Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers prepares every case as if it will go to trial. We do not pressure clients to accept inadequate settlements. Our track record of significant jury verdicts demonstrates our ability to win at trial. We are ready to fight for you in court if necessary.
How do I know if I have a case?
The best way to find out is to contact Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers for a free, confidential consultation. We evaluate all cases and explain your legal options. We will be honest about the strength of your case and the potential for recovery. In your case, you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one experienced child sexual abuse, contact Claggett, Sykes & Garza Trial Lawyers today. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and your legal options. We work on a contingency basis. You pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you. We serve survivors throughout Connecticut, including in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, and other communities. Call 860-471-8333 or complete our online contact form to get started.
