East Greenbush, NY Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Abuse in East Greenbush Was Never Your Fault. Legal Help Starts Here

Surviving abuse doesn’t come with a rulebook. Some people speak out right away. Others hold it in for years, even decades. However you’ve carried it, one thing remains true, it was never your fault. If it happened in East Greenbush, you deserve to be heard and supported.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we stand beside survivors across New York, including right here in Rensselaer County. Our East Greenbush-based sexual abuse attorneys don’t just handle cases, we listen first. If the abuse happened in foster care, a group home, or somewhere else, we’re here to walk through your legal options gently, without pressure. You’ve been through enough. This time, you’re in control.

Understanding the Legal Definition of Sexual Abuse in NY

Sexual abuse under New York law is broad and specific for a reason. It includes more than violent acts, it’s about unwanted sexual contact, manipulation, and abuse of authority. If someone used their position or power to violate your boundaries, civil law may give you a clear path forward.

Under New York Penal Law §130, any form of sexual contact without consent can be considered abuse, especially when there’s coercion or imbalance of power. And under CPLR §214, survivors can file a civil lawsuit for personal injuries caused by intentional harm, including sexual assault.

This isn’t about whether there’s been a criminal conviction. It’s about what happened to you, how it’s affected your life, and whether someone can be held legally responsible. If the answer is yes, you have every right to take that step.

Foster Care and Group Home Abuse in East Greenbush

When abuse happens in places meant to protect children, it can be especially damaging. Foster care homes and group facilities in East Greenbush have a legal and moral duty to keep kids safe. Sadly, we know that some survivors experienced harm in those very places.

For many, speaking up didn’t feel possible at the time. Some were too young to understand. Others were silenced by fear or threats. That silence doesn’t make your experience any less valid. And the law finally reflects that reality.

Under Social Services Law §413, mandated reporters must alert authorities to suspected abuse. If a caseworker, staff member, or administrator failed to do that, and you were harmed as a result, they may be legally liable.

Institutional Failures to Protect Children

Some of the common failures we see in these cases include:

• Staff who were hired without proper screening or training
• Group homes with no meaningful oversight or accountability
• Supervisors who dismissed complaints or tried to hide them

These are not simple oversights. They’re systemic breakdowns that expose children to preventable harm. Civil lawsuits can bring these failures into the open, and demand real change.

Filing a Lawsuit on Behalf of a Minor

If you’re caring for a child who was abused in a foster or group setting, you may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf. Courts often appoint someone to help protect the child's interests throughout the case.

The Child Victims Act lets survivors file claims until age 55, even if the abuse happened years ago. This change has helped thousands of people finally take action, and it might help your family too.

Who Can You Sue? Individuals, Institutions, and More

It’s natural to focus on the person who caused the harm, but abuse often happens because multiple layers of protection failed. In New York, civil lawsuits can target not just individuals, but also agencies and institutions that looked away.

You may have the option to sue foster care agencies, nonprofit operators, group homes, or contractors tied to state-run facilities. Under General Obligations Law, these organizations can be held liable for negligence in supervision or hiring.

In many East Greenbush cases, institutions ignored red flags or actively shielded abusive staff. These aren’t isolated failures, they’re structural ones. Naming them in a lawsuit helps ensure they don’t keep hurting others.

Legal Time Limits for Filing in Rensselaer County

Time limits on civil cases used to silence far too many people. That’s changed. Today, survivors in New York have more time and flexibility than ever before, but it’s still important to understand the rules.

If you were under 18 when the abuse happened, the Child Victims Act gives you until your 55th birthday to file. If you were an adult, you typically have three years from the date you understood the abuse caused harm. These rules come from CPLR §214.

There’s one more piece to consider. If your case involves a publicly run institution—like a county youth facility, you may need to file a notice of claim within 90 days. That’s required under General Municipal Law §50-e. We help our clients handle this paperwork so deadlines aren’t missed.

What to Expect During Your Civil Case

We get it, lawsuits can sound overwhelming. But when they’re handled with care, they don’t have to be. We take time to explain every step, so nothing feels rushed or confusing. You decide how involved you want to be, and we handle the heavy parts.

You don’t have to face your abuser. You don’t have to share your story with a room full of strangers. You only have to take the first step, and let us walk the rest of the way with you.

From Consultation to Filing to Resolution

Here’s how the process usually unfolds:

• Private Consultation – You speak with us confidentially. We listen. No pressure, no obligations.
• Investigation – If you decide to move forward, we gather facts, records, and speak to witnesses.
• Filing – We prepare your case and submit it to the court.
• Negotiation or Trial – Most cases settle out of court, but if yours doesn’t, we’ll be with you at every step.

There are no surprises. Just a steady, clear path to justice, with someone at your side the entire time.

Financial Compensation for Survivors

No amount of money can take away what happened. But compensation can give you tools to heal and move forward. It’s not about putting a price on pain. It’s about making sure you’re supported for everything this trauma has cost you.

Under Civil Rights Law §79-n, you may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress and financial losses. In some cases, courts can also award punitive damages to hold institutions accountable for deeply negligent behavior.

Many survivors receive support for:

• Therapy, medication, or other mental health treatment
• Lost wages or future career disruptions caused by trauma
• Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life

We work with mental health experts and economic consultants to make sure the full impact of your trauma is reflected in your case.

Horn Wright, LLP, Represents East Greenbush Survivors with Care

If you’ve been carrying the weight of what happened in silence, we want you to know this: you’re not alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, we help survivors in East Greenbush find legal and emotional footing after abuse.

Our sexual abuse attorneys represented people hurt in foster care, group homes, and institutional settings across New York. We understand how complex these systems can be, and how they often protect themselves instead of victims. We believe that needs to change.

If you're ready to be heard and supported by someone who respects your voice, we’re here for you. You can work with a nationally honored legal team committed to standing with survivors and take that next step when you're ready.