Maryland Child Victims Act: File Your Sexual Abuse Claim Before June 1, 2025
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Maryland now have the power to seek justice—regardless of when the abuse occurred. But a new 2025 amendment to the law reduces the amount of compensation available for survivors who file lawsuits after June 1, 2025.
If you are a survivor, time is running out. Contact Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC, experienced Maryland sexual abuse attorneys, to file your claim before your rights are limited.
What Is the Maryland Child Victims Act?
The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 (Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-117) eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims related to child sexual abuse. Survivors of any age can now file lawsuits against abusers and institutions that enabled or covered up the abuse.
Key Benefits of the 2023 Maryland Law for Sexual Abuse Survivors
- No Time Limit to File a Lawsuit
Survivors can file civil claims no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. - Revival of Previously Time-Barred Claims
If your claim was previously denied because the statute of limitations had expired, you may now file again. - Accountability for Institutions
Survivors can sue schools, churches, government agencies, or any organization that enabled the abuse. - Compensation Limits Under Original Law:
- $890,000 per incident for public institutions
- $1.5 million per incident for private institutions
- Victim Must Be Living When the Case Is Filed
Claims must be filed during the lifetime of the survivor.
2025 Amendment: New Law Limits Payouts After June 1, 202
House Bill 1378, passed in April 2025, amends the Child Victims Act and significantly reduces the financial recovery available to future claimants:
- Public Institution Cap Lowered to $400,000
- Private Institution Cap Lowered to $700,000
- Redefines “incident” to mean all acts by one abuser against one victim are treated as a single event
- Attorney Fees Capped
- 20% for settlements
- 25% for court judgments
These new limits only apply to lawsuits filed on or after June 1, 2025. Cases filed before that date are subject to the original, higher caps.
Why Act Now? Protect Your Rights and Maximize Your Compensation
If you are considering filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit in Maryland, it is critical that you act before June 1, 2025. Filing now preserves your eligibility for:
- Higher financial compensation
- Broader legal definitions for individual incidents
- Unrestricted attorney representation
- Full protection under the original Maryland Child Victims Act
Why Choose Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC?
At Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, we are committed to helping survivors of sexual abuse in Maryland get justice. Our experienced team of trial attorneys provides:
- Compassionate, confidential representation
- Deep understanding of Maryland’s evolving abuse laws
- Aggressive advocacy against institutions and individuals who enabled abuse
- A track record of results in high-stakes litigation
We are ready to help you file your sexual abuse claim in Maryland—quickly and strategically.
Contact a Maryland Sexual Abuse Attorney Today
Don’t let the new law limit your rights. If you were a victim of child sexual abuse in Maryland, you still have time to pursue full justice—but the clock is ticking.
Contact Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC today:
- Call 410-821-0070 ext. 101 Michael Paul Smith
- Email: mpsmith@sgs-law.com
- Or fill out our secure contact form on our website – https://www.sgs-law.com/contact/
All consultations are confidential and free.
Protect your future. Hold them accountable. File before June 1, 2025.