Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuit: Survivors’ Options in 2026

Last updated: October 2026

Survivors of child sexual abuse in Maryland can still file a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit in 2026, no matter how long ago the abuse happened. The Child Victims Act of 2023 removed the time limit for these claims. But a 2025 law, House Bill 1378, sharply lowered how much survivors can recover in cases filed on or after June 1, 2025. Below, you will also find who can bring a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit, how a case usually begins and questions to ask before you choose a law firm.

This guide walks through what that means for survivors now, whether the abuse happened in a juvenile facility, a school, a church or another institution.

If you need support right now, RAINN’s hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7 at 800-656-4673 or rainn.org.

The Child Victims Act: no time limit to file

Before 2023, Maryland survivors faced a deadline to sue. The Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminated that deadline for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse. It applies to abuse that happened decades ago as well as recent abuse.

Some defendants challenged the law. In February 2025, the Supreme Court of Maryland upheld it in a 4-3 decision. That means the courthouse door remains open to survivors of any age.

What changed in 2025: lower damage caps

Faced with thousands of claims against the state, lawmakers passed House Bill 1378. Governor Wes Moore signed it as Chapter 104 of 2025, and it took effect June 1, 2025.

The biggest change is to damage limits. According to the legislature’s fiscal analysis and Maryland Matters, for previously time-barred claims:

• Claims against the state or local governments: capped at $400,000, down from $890,000
• Claims against private institutions: noneconomic damages capped at $700,000, down from $1.5 million
• Claims filed before June 1, 2025: stay under the older, higher limits

The law also limits attorney fees in these cases to 20% of a settlement or 25% of a judgment. That is lower than many typical contingency fees.

What the caps mean for survivors filing now

The lower caps do not stop anyone from filing. They change the math of a case.

You can still file

There is no filing deadline under the Child Victims Act. A survivor who files in 2026 has the same right to bring a claim as someone who filed in 2024.

The maximum recovery is lower

For claims filed on or after June 1, 2025, the caps above set the upper limit on certain damages. No one can promise any amount, and many factors affect a claim.

Fewer firms may take cases

When the new law took effect, one attorney told Maryland Matters that finding representation would get harder because both caps and fees were cut. Survivors may need to ask more than one firm.

Older claims face their own questions

For cases filed before June 1, 2025, a key dispute is whether the old cap applies once per survivor or once per incident of abuse. In April 2026, the Attorney General’s Office indicated many claims against the state may fall under the $890,000 per-incident cap. Courts will likely decide this issue.

Maryland sex abuse lawsuit options in 2026

Every situation is different. In general, survivors may consider several paths, alone or together.

A civil lawsuit

A civil case seeks money damages from the person who caused harm or from an institution that allegedly failed to protect you. Institutions can include state agencies such as the Department of Juvenile Services, local governments, school systems, religious organizations and private programs.

Claims against the state and local governments follow special rules under Maryland’s tort claims laws. A law firm can explain which procedures apply to you.

A criminal report

You can report abuse to law enforcement, separate from any civil case. A criminal case is brought by prosecutors, not by you, and it does not award you damages.

Free legal help

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault runs the Sexual Assault Legal Institute, which offers free legal services to survivors. You can reach it at 301-565-2277 or 1-877-496-7254.

Information that can help a case review

You do not need proof or paperwork to start a conversation with a law firm. If you are comfortable, it can help to think about:

• The name of the facility, school or program and its location
• About when you were there, even a rough range of years
• Anyone you told at the time or later, such as a family member, counselor or staff member
• Any records you already have, such as court papers or placement letters
• How the abuse has affected your health, work or relationships

Write down only what feels manageable. It is fine to say you do not remember something or would rather not discuss it yet. A firm can request many records on your behalf.

What to expect from the court process

Maryland courts are still working through a very large number of cases. Baltimore City Circuit Court alone had more than 1,400 pending child sexual abuse cases in late 2025. It sorted them into groups by type of defendant, each with a judge and a steering committee.

For survivors, that can mean:

• A case may take years to resolve
• You may not need to appear in court often, since much of the work happens through lawyers
• Discovery may involve requests for records and sometimes a sworn interview
• There may be long periods with little visible progress

It is okay to ask a firm how often it will update you and what you can expect at each stage.

Protecting your privacy and well-being

Legal steps can bring up painful memories. You set the pace.

• Ask whether your case can be filed using initials or a pseudonym
• Share only what you are comfortable sharing at first
• Bring a trusted person to calls or meetings if that helps
• Keep a support line or counselor on hand during the process

For support resources focused on detention-center survivors, see our guide for survivors of abuse in Maryland detention centers.

Who Can Bring a Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuit

The Child Victims Act opened the courthouse door wide, but it still has limits. Knowing who can file, and against whom, can help you decide whether a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit may fit your situation.

The survivor files the claim

The claim belongs to the person who was abused as a child. Maryland’s People’s Law Library notes that the survivor must be living when the lawsuit is filed. That means an estate generally cannot start a new case on behalf of a survivor who has died.

This is one reason some survivors choose not to wait too long, even though there is no filing deadline. Taking time to heal is valid. It can still help to learn your options early, so you can decide when you are ready.

Who may be named

• The person who committed the abuse
• An institution that knew about the abuse and allowed it to continue, or failed to act on warning signs
• State agencies, such as those that ran juvenile facilities
• Local governments and school systems
• Private organizations, such as churches, camps, youth programs and private schools

Each type of defendant can bring different rules, damage caps and procedures. A law firm can explain which ones may apply to your case.

Abuse that happened long ago

Many survivors coming forward now were abused decades ago, when they were children or teenagers. That does not stop them from filing a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit. Records may be harder to find, but firms often work with what survivors remember and what institutions kept.

How a Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuit Usually Begins

Every case is different, but the early steps often look similar. Knowing them can make a first call feel less overwhelming.

1. First contact. You reach out by phone or an online form. You can share as little as you want at this stage.
2. A confidential conversation. A firm asks some basic questions, such as where the abuse happened and roughly when. You can pause or stop at any time.
3. A fee agreement. If you and a firm decide to work together, you sign a written agreement. In these cases, Maryland law limits fees to 20% of a settlement or 25% of a judgment.
4. Gathering records. The firm may request records from facilities, schools or agencies. You do not need to collect these yourself.
5. Filing the complaint. The firm files a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit in court. Many survivors ask whether the case can be filed using initials or a pseudonym.
6. Joining a group. In busy courts such as Baltimore City, cases may be sorted into groups by type of defendant.
7. Discovery and resolution. Both sides exchange information. A case may settle, or in some cases go to trial.

The timing of each step depends on the court, the defendant and how many other cases are pending. It is fine to ask a firm what it expects for your case.

Questions to Ask Before Filing a Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuit

You are allowed to interview a law firm before you agree to anything. These questions can help you find a good fit.

About the case

• Which defendants might be named, and why?
• Will my case fall under the older or newer damage caps?
• How have the 2025 changes affected the way you handle cases like mine?
• Will my name be kept private in court filings?

About communication

• Who will be my main contact?
• How often will you update me, and how?
• Can I bring a support person to calls or meetings?
• How will you prepare me if I need to give a sworn statement?

About costs

• How will fees be calculated under the legal limits?
• What case costs might come out of any recovery?
• Can I have the fee agreement in writing to review before I sign?

A firm that answers these questions clearly and patiently can make the process feel safer. If a firm rushes you, it is okay to talk to someone else.

Supporting a Survivor Through a Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Family members and friends often want to help but do not know how. Your support can matter a great deal, especially during a long case.

Ways to help

• Believe them. Saying “I believe you” can mean more than any advice.
• Let them lead. The survivor decides whether to file, what to share and when.
• Offer practical help, such as rides, child care or help keeping papers organized.
• Respect privacy. Do not share details of the case with others without permission.
• Take care of yourself too. Supporters can call RAINN for guidance on how to help a loved one.

What to avoid

• Pushing for details about the abuse
• Pressuring them to file, or not to file
• Promising a result or an amount of money
• Posting about the case on social media

Healing and legal steps can move at different speeds. A survivor may feel strong one week and need space the next. Patience is one of the most helpful things you can offer.

Preparing for a Sworn Statement

Many survivors worry most about having to talk about what happened under oath. Not every case requires it, and many cases resolve without a trial. But if your Maryland sex abuse lawsuit reaches the discovery stage, you may be asked to give a deposition.

What a deposition usually looks like

A deposition is a recorded interview with lawyers from both sides. It usually happens in an office or by video, not in a courtroom. A court reporter writes down what is said. Your own lawyer is there with you the whole time.

Ways firms can help you prepare

• Explaining the kinds of questions that may be asked, so there are fewer surprises
• Practicing answers in a calm setting, without telling you what to say
• Planning breaks, and agreeing on a signal if you need to stop
• Talking through what to do if a question feels too painful

Taking care of yourself before and after

• Plan something calming for the rest of the day.
• Let a counselor know the date so you can schedule support.
• Eat, rest and drink water, even if you do not feel like it.
• Remind yourself that it is okay to say “I don’t remember.”

Being honest and taking your time matter more than giving perfect answers. The goal is to tell your truth, at a pace you can manage.

When an Institution Has Closed or Changed Names

Many survivors were harmed in places that no longer exist. Some juvenile facilities have closed. Schools merge, churches combine parishes and programs change owners.

This does not always end a claim. Another organization may have taken over the institution’s duties, records or insurance. In some cases, the state agency that ran a facility still exists even if the building is gone.

A law firm can research who may be responsible today. Share any names you remember, including old nicknames for buildings or programs, and the town where they were located. Even small details can help a firm trace the history behind a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit.

Key Terms in a Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuit

• Child Victims Act of 2023: The law that removed the filing deadline for civil child sexual abuse claims in Maryland.
• House Bill 1378: The 2025 law that lowered damage caps for claims filed on or after June 1, 2025.
• Damage cap: The legal upper limit on certain types of damages.
• Noneconomic damages: Money for harms like pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life, rather than bills or lost wages.
• Plaintiff: The person who files the lawsuit.
• Defendant: The person or institution being sued.
• Pseudonym: A substitute name used in court papers to protect privacy.
• Discovery: The stage when both sides exchange information and records.
• Deposition: A sworn interview, usually held in a law office rather than a courtroom.
• Settlement: An agreement that resolves a case without a trial.

Understanding these terms can make court updates and conversations with a firm easier to follow.

Keeping your own notes

Some survivors find it helps to keep a small notebook just for their case. You might write down the date of each call, the name of the person you spoke with and any next steps. You can also note questions as they come up, so you remember to ask them later.

Keep the notebook somewhere private. You never have to write about the abuse itself unless you want to. The notes are simply a tool to help you feel more in control of a Maryland sex abuse lawsuit that may take years.

Frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

Direct2Attorney connects survivors with participating law firms that review institutional abuse claims. If you were abused as a child in Maryland, you may qualify for a free, confidential case review. Visit our juvenile detention abuse lawsuit page to learn more.

A Maryland sex abuse lawsuit is still possible in 2026. Knowing how the rules changed can help you decide what is right for you.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.