Chicago Sexual Assault Attorney

Helping Sexual Abuse Survivors in Chicago Seek Compensation in Civil Claims

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our dedicated Chicago sexual assault attorney team has built a reputation for holding powerful organizations accountable—from schools and churches to hospitals and employers—when they fail to protect the vulnerable. We have secured significant verdicts and settlements for survivors throughout Cook County and across Illinois, and every case we take reflects our unwavering commitment to advocating for justice, rebuilding lives, and creating lasting change in our community.

Sexual Abuse Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

$1,000,000 Settlement – A man who had been abused as a child during an after-school program in Chicago came forward years later. We filed a civil sexual assault lawsuit against the organization that employed the abuser, uncovering a pattern of ignored complaints. The settlement provided financial compensation for ongoing therapy and recognized the deep, lasting harm caused by the abuse.

$21,000,000 Settlement – A front desk clerk sexually assaulted a young woman staying at a well-known hotelnear the Magnificent Mile. The hotel chain failed to conduct a basic background check before hiring him, despite prior red flags. We were able to prove systemic negligence, and the survivor’s settlement reflected the seriousness of her trauma and the chain’s reckless hiring practices.

$15,000,000 Settlement – Several boys at a Chicago-area private school endured years of grooming and abuse at the hands of a trusted coach. The school ignored multiple warning signs and failed to investigate complaints. We represented the families, showing how institutional indifference compounded the harm, and secured a recovery that provides for lifelong counseling and care.

$6,500,000 Settlement – During a youth program operated by a well-known Chicago organization, a teenage participant was sexually assaulted by a staff member during an overnight trip. Our investigation uncovered poor supervision policies and a history of prior complaints against the employee. The recovery gave the family resources for therapy and future educational opportunities.

$5,000,000 Settlement – Two men came forward after being sexually abused by a Chicago-area therapist who exploited their trust during treatment. We established that the clinic failed to monitor the therapist or act on prior patient concerns. The settlement ensured accountability while providing financial support for both men’s ongoing recovery.

$3,000,000 Settlement – A woman endured repeated assaults by her OB/GYN during routine visits at a major Chicago hospital. Despite her early complaints, the institution failed to act. We demonstrated how oversight failures allowed the abuse to continue, and the settlement gave her both financial security and recognition of the profound harm she suffered.

$2,750,000 Settlement – We represented a woman who was raped by a counselor at a church-operated summer camp in the Chicago area. The institution failed to properly screen or supervise the counselor, despite prior behavioral concerns. The settlement provided her with resources for therapy and long-term recovery, and also pushed the church to overhaul its youth protection policies.

$2,500,000 Settlement – A Chicago-area parish allowed a defrocked priest continued access to parishioners despite a history of misconduct. The case revealed how church officials ignored warning signs and failed to protect vulnerable parishioners.

$2,000,000 Settlement – A man was repeatedly assaulted by a maintenance employee at a large Catholic church in Chicago. Leadership failed to investigate prior complaints and allowed the employee to continue unsupervised access to parish facilities. We pursued a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against the church to ensure accountability for both the abuser and the institution.

$1,900,000 Settlement – A woman in Chicago was stalked and sexually assaulted by a rideshare driver. Our investigation revealed that the company had received multiple safety complaints about the driver but failed to act. The recovery reflected both the driver’s predatory conduct and the company’s negligence in protecting its passengers.

$1,160,000 Settlement – We represented a teenager who was assaulted by a guard at a youth detention facility in Cook County. The institution failed to implement basic safeguards and ignored earlier reports of inappropriate sexual contact between staff and minors. The settlement gave the survivor resources for counseling and highlighted systemic failures in the juvenile justice system.

What Makes Us the Best Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Chicago

The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has been consistently recognized among the top-rated sexual abuse lawyers in Chicago because of our record of success, our advocacy for survivors, and our willingness to take on powerful institutions that tried to silence victims.

Over the past 25 years, we have secured more than $450 million in settlements and verdicts for clients, including many survivors of sexual abuse. National organizations and peers in the legal community have honored our work, including:

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum 
• Super Lawyers
• American Association for Justice (AAJ)
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association 
• AVVO 

Types of Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we represent survivors in a wide range of sexual abuse cases across Chicago and Illinois, including:

• Clergy Sexual Abuse – including cases against the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and other religious institutions that covered up misconduct.
• Abuse in Schools, Camps, and Daycare – representing children harmed in Chicago Public Schools, private schools, youth sports, and local daycare centers.
• Workplace Sexual Abuse and Harassment – holding Chicago-area employers accountable when managers or co-workers engage in sexual assault or harassment.
• Abuse in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities – protecting vulnerable residents of Chicago nursing homes and assisted living centers.
• Abuse by Medical Providers and Therapists – pursuing sexual assault claims against doctors, therapists, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals who exploited patients.
• Institutional Abuse in Foster Care or Detention Facilities – seeking justice for children and teens harmed in state-run or private care settings.

What Are Common Forms of Sexual Abuse?

• Date Rape – Survivors may be assaulted by someone they know, often in situations where alcohol, drugs, or coercion are used. These cases are painful because they involve a betrayal of trust, but they are no less serious than stranger assaults.
• Unwanted Touching and Sexual Contact – Even when there is no penetration, any unwanted touching or sexual contact without consent is considered sexual abuse under Illinois law. These acts can cause lasting trauma and may escalate if not stopped.
• Sexual Misconduct by People in Power – Teachers, clergy, employers, or supervisors may exploit their position to manipulate or pressure others into sexual acts. We have seen this pattern in Chicago schools, parishes, and workplaces.
• Predatory Sexual Abusers – In some cases, individuals seek out vulnerable children or adults in nursing homes, foster care, or other settings where victims of sexual abuse may be isolated. Institutions that ignore complaints or allow these abusers access must be held liable through a civil sexual abuse lawsuit.
• Institutional Failures – Schools, churches, hospitals, and employers often receive a sexual abuse report and choose to ignore it. This silence enables predators to continue harming assault victims and exposes others to danger.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Sexual Abuse in Chicago?

In Chicago, we see sexual abuse thrive in environments where:

• Institutions lack oversight and conceal complaints instead of acting on them.
• Power imbalances—between teachers and students, clergy and parishioners, or employers and workers—leave survivors feeling powerless.
• Organizations fail to perform basic background checks before hiring.
• Reporting systems are inadequate, leaving survivors without a safe way to speak up.
• Survivors fear retaliation or disbelief, preventing them from disclosing abuse until years later.

What Are the Most Common Consequences of Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse often leaves lifelong scars that affect both body and mind. Survivors we work with in Chicago consistently describe the lasting impact of this physical and emotional trauma, which shapes relationships, careers, and overall well-being. The most common consequences include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, which may require years of therapy to manage.
• Substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal ideation as coping mechanisms.
• Physical injuries and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, sometimes leading to ongoing medical care and medical bills related to testing and treatment.
• Emotional trauma, such as fear, guilt, or isolation, which can prevent assault victims from forming healthy relationships or trusting others again.
• Loss of earning capacity, when the effects of abuse interfere with education or employment opportunities.

What Damages Can Sexual Abuse Victims Recover in Illinois?

Damages are meant to provide both immediate support and long-term stability so survivors can move forward after enduring physical and emotional harm. Types of compensation may include:

• Medical and therapy expenses – covering emergency care, ongoing counseling, medications, and medical bills related to treatment for injuries or trauma caused by the abuse.
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity – when the effects of abuse interfere with schooling, employment, or career opportunities.
• Pain and suffering – acknowledging the lasting impact of physical and emotional harm.
• Emotional distress – recognizing the psychological toll survivors experience long after the abuse.
• Punitive damages – available when institutions knowingly ignored abuse or concealed complaints, making clear that sexual abuse and assault are crimes punishable by both law and public accountability.

What Is the Average Sexual Abuse Payout in Chicago?

According to VerdictSearch data, payouts in Chicago sexual abuse cases range widely, from $1.2 million to over $535 million, with a median recovery of $3.55 million and an average of $65.5 million. These numbers reflect both individual cases and large institutional settlements.

In our own practice, we’ve seen juries and settlement negotiations weigh factors such as:

• Whether the institution ignored prior complaints or concealed the abuse.
• The survivor’s age at the time of the abuse.
• Long-term consequences like PTSD, depression, and diminished earning capacity.
• The credibility and strength of evidence presented in Cook County courts.

Example Sexual Abuse Cases in Cook County

A woman in her fifties was attacked in her South Side apartment after an intruder entered through a broken lobby door lock. Tenants had repeatedly complained to building management about the defective security system, but nothing was done. The assault left her with severe physical injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder that required years of therapy. The jury originally awarded more than $10 million, but the award was reduced on appeal due to comparative fault arguments raised by the defense. The final recovery of $5.4 million reflected both the seriousness of the harm and the property manager’s failure to act on known safety risks.

In Skokie, just outside Chicago, a hotel guest was sexually assaulted by a security guard who had unrestricted access to guest rooms. The woman reported the incident immediately, but hotel management failed to take appropriate action. During trial, her attorneys presented evidence that the hotel had not properly vetted or supervised the guard, even after complaints from other guests. The survivor was later diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and lingering emotional difficulties tied to the assault. The Cook County jury awarded her $1.8 million, signaling that hotels must be held responsible when they fail to protect guests.

Two teenage brothers were repeatedly abused by a parish priest who oversaw after-school programs at their Catholic school. Evidence revealed that the Archdiocese of Chicago had prior knowledge of the priest’s troubling history but reassigned him to the parish anyway. Both brothers struggled with depression, substance abuse, and loss of trust in authority figures, carrying the effects into adulthood. The case resolved through mediation, resulting in a $2.7 millioncombined settlement that acknowledged both the trauma suffered and the Archdiocese’s role in enabling the abuse.

Why You Need a Chicago Sexual Abuse Attorney

Filing a sexual abuse claim in Chicago is never easy. Survivors are often up against powerful institutions—churches, schools, hospitals, or employers—that use their resources to avoid responsibility. On top of that, the legal process itself can feel overwhelming, especially when it forces survivors to relive painful experiences.

That’s where an experienced Chicago sexual abuse attorney makes a difference. We guide clients through both the civil lawsuit process and any related criminal proceedings, ensuring survivors are protected at every step. 

While prosecutors may pursue a criminal conviction to punish the abuser, our focus in civil court is to pursue justice in the form of financial compensation and fair compensation for the harm done.

Survivors in Cook County face challenges such as:

• Retraumatization during depositions and hearings.
• Institutional intimidation, where defendants try to silence or discredit sexual abuse victims.
• Statute of limitations defenses, despite Illinois law expanding survivors’ rights to file sex abuse claims years later.
• Attacks on credibility, including claims of consent in cases involving minors where consent is legally impossible.

We counter these tactics with strong evidence, expert testimony, and survivor advocacy. By filing a civil lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court, we not only seek justice for the individual survivor but also push institutions to change their practices so others are protected in the future.

Our goal is to help victims of sexual abuse navigate the legal process, hold sexual abusers and negligent institutions accountable, and ensure survivors have the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

How Common Is Child Sexual Abuse in Chicago?

A 2016 Illinois victim needs assessment found that 20% of survivors reported experiencing child sexual abuse, and nearly half of those said it was the most impactful trauma in their lives. In 2017, DCFS documented 7,743 reports of child sexual abuse in Illinois, representing about 25% of all child abuse reports that year. Child Advocacy Centers in Illinois served over 10,900 children in 2015, with 87% of cases involving sexual abuse.

Locally, the City of Chicago’s domestic violence data highlights that abuse often occurs within families, with children exposed to violence and, in many cases, sexual abuse at home. National data show that about 1 in 5 female high school students reports being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner, which reflects patterns in Chicago youth populations.

Where Do Sexual Abuse and Assault Incidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Some of the most common settings include:

• Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago parishes – where decades of clergy abuse scandals have revealed systemic cover-ups.
• Chicago Public Schools (CPS) – where inadequate oversight and poor reporting procedures have allowed teachers, coaches, and staff to harm students.
• Daycare centers and youth camps – where children are especially vulnerable and depend on adults for care and supervision.
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities – where residents may be unable to advocate for themselves.
• Workplaces – particularly in hospitality, healthcare, and corporate settings where power imbalances can silence victims.

What Laws Govern Civil and Criminal Cases of Sex Abuse in Chicago?

Survivors of sexual abuse in Chicago have protections at every level of law, state, city, and federal.

Illinois law defines specific crimes related to sexual assault and abuse, such as:

• 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20 – Criminal Sexual Assault 
• 720 ILCS 5/11-1.30 – Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault
• 720 ILCS 5/11-1.50 – Criminal Sexual Abuse
• 720 ILCS 5/11-9.1 – Sexual Exploitation of a Child

The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5/) mandated reporters—such as teachers, clergy, and medical professionals—to notify authorities if they suspect child abuse. Municipal Code of Chicago, Human Rights Ordinance (6-10-040) prohibits sexual harassment and abuse in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

On a federal level:

• Title IX (20 U.S.C. § 1681) requires federally funded schools, including Chicago Public Schools and local universities, to address sexual harassment and abuse.
• The Clery Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)) mandates that colleges and universities report sexual assault data and implement safety measures.
• The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA, 34 U.S.C. § 12291 et seq.) Provides funding, protections, and expanded rights for survivors of sexual violence nationwide.

Together, these laws ensure that survivors in Chicago can pursue accountability through both criminal prosecution in state courts and civil sexual abuse claims in Cook County Circuit Court. Our role is to guide clients through this legal framework, making sure no option for justice is overlooked.

How Long After the Abuse Happened Can I Take Legal Action in Criminal and Civil Court?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file a civil claim at any age, as long as they do so within 20 years of discovering the abuse and its impact. This discovery rule means you don’t have to act immediately after the abuse happens.

For felony sex crimes, Illinois has no statute of limitations. That means prosecutors can file criminal charges against abusers at any time, no matter how many years have passed since the assault.

Who Is Legally Liable for Sexual Abuse in Chicago?

In Chicago, liability may extend far beyond the individual abuser to the institutions that enabled the misconduct. Potential defendants include:

• Individual abusers – the person who committed the sexual assault.
• Religious institutions – such as the Archdiocese of Chicago, if church officials ignored warning signs.
• Schools and CPS – for failing to act on complaints or supervise staff.
• Employers – who knew about abuse or harassment but failed to protect employees.
• Medical providers and hospitals – when doctors or therapists exploit patients.
• Foster care agencies and government entities – when children are harmed in state-run or private facilities.

Our law firm investigates every angle of liability to ensure survivors can hold all responsible parties accountable, not just the abuser, but also the institutions that allowed the abuse to happen.

Common Defenses in Chicago Sexual Abuse Claims

When we bring a sexual abuse claim in Cook County Circuit Court, institutions and their attorneys rely on legal defenses designed to minimize or deny accountability, such as:

• Statute of limitations arguments – claiming the survivor waited too long to file, even though Illinois law has extended protections for childhood sexual abuse.
• Consent arguments – raised inappropriately in cases involving minors, where consent is not legally possible.
• Denial and lack of evidence – asserting that no abuse occurred, or that there is insufficient proof.
• Institutional ignorance – schools, churches, or employers claiming they had no knowledge of the abuser’s history.

We counter these defenses with thorough investigation. That means uncovering prior complaints, subpoenaing records, presenting expert testimony on trauma, and centering survivor voices so that the truth is undeniable in civil court.

How to Strengthen Your Sexual Abuse Case in Chicago

While every situation is unique, some steps can make a powerful difference in building a strong sexual abuse claim:

• Report the abuse – contact police and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) if the survivor is a minor.
• Preserve evidence – save any communications, photos, or personal records that may corroborate your experience.
• Seek medical and psychological treatment – medical records and therapy notes not only support your health but also document the impact of the abuse.
• Contact an attorney quickly – experienced Chicago sexual abuse lawyers can immediately step in to secure evidence, file in the right court, and protect against institutional intimidation.

How Our Chicago Sexual Assault Lawyers Can Help

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we know that pursuing a sexual abuse claim is about more than money, but about justice, healing, and accountability. As a trusted Chicago sexual assault lawyer team, we help survivors by:

• Providing confidential, compassionate legal guidance from the first consultation.
• Filing civil claims in Cook County Circuit Court while monitoring any related criminal proceedings.
• Pursuing civil damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
• Negotiating with institutions such as schools, churches, and hospitals, or taking cases to trial when a fair resolution isn’t offered.
• Connecting survivors to advocacy and resources so that they never feel alone in the process.

Our mission is to empower survivors to take back control, hold wrongdoers accountable, and move forward with the financial support and recognition they deserve.

FAQs

How much does a sexual abuse attorney cost in Chicago?

We represent survivors on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you.

Can I file a lawsuit even if the abuser was never criminally convicted?

Yes. Civil cases are separate from criminal trials. The burden of proof in a civil claim is lower than in criminal court, so you can still recover damages even if prosecutors never secured a conviction.

Who can file a sexual abuse lawsuit in Chicago?

Survivors themselves may file. In cases involving minors, parents or legal guardians can bring a claim on the child’s behalf.

Consult a Chicago Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near You

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in Chicago, we are here to listen, support, and fight for you. Our Chicago personal injury law firm offers free, confidential consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and preserving evidence. Contact us today!

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895

We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Elgin, Peoria, Schaumburg and throughout Illinois.

Resources: [1] RAINN, [2] New Hope, [3] 1in6, [4] RAINN, [5] CDC

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.