Massachusetts Sports Coach Abuse Lawyer for Victims

From high school sports to community sports leagues, youth sports are popular. While many are lucky enough to have great coaches, some adults use their positions to prey on young athletes. Sexual abuse cases involving coaches should be reported to the police, but you may also file a civil action to get justice and financial compensation.

An attorney can help you file a complaint within the time set by the statute of limitations. We can work to hold the coach who abused you responsible, in addition to various others, like the school or league that employed the coach. We must also find evidence, including witness testimony, your testimony, medical records, and more. The sooner we can begin preparing, the better.

For a free, confidential case assessment, call The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 and talk to our sports coach abuse lawyers for victims.

How to File a Civil Case for Sexual Abuse by a Sports Coach

While sexual abuse certainly is grounds for criminal charges, victims can also seek justice in civil court and get financial compensation for their injuries. Your first step is to contact an experienced attorney who can help you prepare your case.

If you are unsure about contacting law enforcement, your lawyer can assist you. The police might launch an investigation. They could uncover evidence that supports your claims and arrest the defendant. This might mean your civil case must wait while criminal proceedings are pending. Once a criminal case is complete, we can use evidence discovered by police to support your civil case.

We must also file your civil case within the time limit set by the statute of limitations. According to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260 § 4C, cases involving the sexual abuse of a minor must be filed within 35 years of the abuse or 7 years of when the victim discovers the abuse, whichever is later. This limitation period is tolled until the child turns 18, meaning you have 35 years from your 18th birthday, or until age 53.

Who May Be Held Responsible for Abuse by a Sports Coach in Massachusetts

While suing the coach is possible and should be included in your case, others might also be involved. Our sports coach abuse lawyers for victims will review where and how the abuse happened to determine if other adults or the coach’s employer should also be held accountable.

The Coach

If a coach sexually abused you, we can help you take legal action against them. This can be difficult, as sexual abuse cases are often kept secret. Perpetrators of the abuse might try to destroy evidence or pressure victims into silence. Some coaches are respected members of their communities, and others may not believe you when you come forward, making the legal process significantly more challenging.

Your lawyer can help you report the abuse to the police if you have not done so already. This can be a frightening step, but the police may be able to conduct a thorough investigation. They could uncover evidence we might not otherwise have access to, and we can use this evidence to support your claims.

Other Adults

Multiple adults are usually involved in a child’s sports team. It is not uncommon for other adults close to the coach or the team to know about the abuse. If we can identify these people, they might also be held responsible for failing to come forward and stop the abuse.

Some of these adults may be legally required to report abuse. Under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 119 § 21, public and private school teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors are mandated reporters. This means that if a teacher at a school knows that a coach is sexually abusing young athletes, they are legally required to report it.

Under § 51A(a), mandated reporters are legally required to report suspected abuse to the Department of Children and Families within 48 hours of becoming aware of it. If they fail, we should consider including them in your case.

The School or Sports Organization

If you were abused while a student athlete, we can file a case against the school that employed them. Typically, when suing a governmental entity, such as a public school, you must first submit a notice of your claim to the school. If the school denies your claim, you may take the case to court. However, under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 258 § 4, cases involving the sexual abuse of minors have no such notice requirement.

If you were instead a member of a community sports league or a private league, we can sue that league for damages.

Evidence Supporting Your Massachusetts Sports Coach Abuse Case

In sexual abuse cases, evidence is especially hard to come by, as it is often destroyed by those who wish to avoid liability. Even so, evidence may exist, and we can uncover it.

Witnesses are a crucial part of your case. Perhaps other people on your sports team know something that can help. Maybe they can testify about the coach’s behavior. They might have even witnessed the abuse but were too scared to say anything.

Your testimony is also extremely important. While reliving the abuse in court may be difficult, it might be necessary to prove your claims.

Rape kits can be extremely helpful in sexual abuse cases. A rape kit involves a physical examination by medical professionals who are trained to identify signs of sexual abuse. Evidence like DNA samples might come from a rape kit. Rape kits must be conducted very soon after sexual abuse occurs, and you usually must report the abuse to the police first.

Call Our Sports Coach Abuse Attorneys to Begin Your Civil Case

For a free, confidential case assessment, call The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 and talk to our sports coach abuse lawyers for victims.