$560,000 Sexual Abuse Settlement in Manhattan

A survivor came forward. The civil courts provided a path to accountability that the criminal system alone could not deliver. Raphaelson & Levine pursued this case with the discretion, sensitivity, and tenacity that every survivor deserves.

Civil Accountability for Sexual Abuse Survivors

Our client was a survivor of sexual abuse who chose to pursue justice through the civil court system. Civil litigation provides survivors with a path to accountability that operates independently of criminal proceedings — allowing them to hold perpetrators and, where applicable, the institutions that enabled the abuse directly responsible for the harm they caused. The decision to file a civil claim is deeply personal, and our attorneys supported our client through every stage of the process with the sensitivity and confidentiality this type of case demands.

Sexual abuse cases require a legal team that understands both the legal framework and the human impact. The trauma of abuse extends far beyond the events themselves — it affects mental health, relationships, career trajectory, daily functioning, and a survivor's sense of safety in the world. Civil litigation acknowledges these harms and translates them into a legal claim for damages that reflects the true scope of what was taken from the survivor.

Pursuing Justice in New York County Supreme Court

Our attorneys litigated this case in New York County Supreme Court, navigating the procedural and evidentiary requirements of civil sexual abuse claims. These cases require careful handling of sensitive evidence, protection of the survivor's privacy to the greatest extent possible, and a litigation strategy that balances aggressive advocacy against the defendants with respect for the emotional toll the process places on the survivor.

The legal team at Raphaelson & Levine worked closely with our client throughout the litigation, ensuring that every decision — from the initial filing through discovery, depositions, and settlement negotiations — reflected our client's wishes and served their interests. The goal was never simply a financial outcome. It was accountability — a formal acknowledgment that what happened was wrong and that the responsible parties would be held to account.

"Every survivor who comes forward takes an extraordinary step. The civil court system gives them a voice and a path to accountability that the criminal system alone cannot always provide. We handled this case with the discretion and dedication it deserved, and we secured a result that acknowledges the harm our client endured. That matters — not just for the compensation, but for the accountability." — Steven Gershowitz, Attorney

$560,000 Settlement for a Sexual Abuse Survivor

This $560,000 settlement provides meaningful compensation for the harm our client endured and holds the responsible parties civilly accountable. It reflects the civil court system's role in empowering survivors of sexual abuse to pursue justice on their own terms.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse, our attorneys handle these sensitive cases with the confidentiality and compassion they require. Contact us for a free, private consultation to understand your legal options.