New York Youth Sports Sexual Abuse Lawyer
In New York, the rise of reported cases involving sexual abuse in youth sports organizations has brought renewed attention to the systemic failures that allow predators to access and exploit vulnerable children. Coaches, volunteers, and other adults entrusted with protecting young athletes have instead caused deep harm. At Greenberg Gross LLP, our legal team is committed to helping survivors of sexual abuse in youth sports pursue justice and hold at fault parties accountable.
When a child athlete is sexually abused, the impact can last a lifetime. Survivors often suffer emotional abuse, physical injuries, and long-term psychological trauma. The betrayal by trusted adults in sports leagues or youth organizations leaves many feeling isolated or powerless. You are not alone. The law is on your side, and you have the right to seek justice.
Understanding youth sports sexual abuse in New York
Sexual abuse in youth sports includes any non-consensual sexual contact, sexual acts, or sexual misconduct committed by a coach, staff member, volunteer, or other adult in a position of power within a sports organization. These cases may also involve older athletes or peers but often center around a failure of adults and institutions to protect children.
Abuse may occur in locker rooms, training facilities, team trips, or other settings related to organized sports. In some cases, coaches create situations where children are isolated—violating guidelines that require at least two adults to be present at all times. Youth sports leagues have a responsibility to prevent abuse and safeguard children from sexual predators.
When these institutions fail, survivors of sexual abuse have legal options to pursue justice and seek compensation.
Legal options under New York law
New York law provides survivors of child sexual abuse with the ability to file a civil lawsuit against the individual abuser and any youth sports organization that failed to prevent or respond to the abuse. These civil suits may result in financial compensation for medical bills, therapy, lost opportunities, and pain and suffering.
Thanks to New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA), many survivors were able to file civil lawsuits during a special two-year revival window — even if their claims had previously expired under older laws. That window closed on August 14, 2021, but New York law still allows some survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits until they reach age 55, under CPLR § 214(10).
Our attorneys are experienced in navigating the legal process for civil suits involving youth sports organizations and the larger institutions that protect them. Whether your abuse occurred in a national league, local sports club, or community team, you may still have the right to pursue a sex abuse lawsuit.
How Greenberg Gross LLP supports survivors
Our legal team provides trauma-informed legal representation focused solely on supporting survivors of sexual abuse. We never represent coaches, schools, or sports leagues. We stand with the child sex abuse victims and adult survivors who choose to step forward.
We begin with a free and confidential consultation where we learn about your experience, assess your legal options, and answer your questions. Survivors are never pressured. Everything we discuss remains confidential. If you choose to move forward, our law firm will begin building a case tailored to your needs and goals.
We pursue both justice and compensation. While no amount of money can erase the harm, financial compensation can support the healing process and hold institutions responsible for their failures. Our attorneys are prepared to investigate whether youth sports leagues failed to follow proper protocols, ignored red flags, or knowingly placed children in dangerous situations.
Accountability for institutions and individuals
Sex abuse lawsuits involving youth sports can expose not only individual predators but also institutional abuse. These cases may involve coaches who were moved to different teams, complaints that were dismissed, or environments where sexual harassment and abuse were allowed to persist.
Youth sports organizations and sports leagues must be held accountable when they fail to protect children. This includes situations where they hired individuals with histories of misconduct or ignored reports of alleged sexual assault. At Greenberg Gross LLP, we pursue legal action against all responsible parties, including administrators and leadership who enabled or covered up abuse.
Taking the next step
Survivors of sexual abuse in youth sports deserve legal representation that prioritizes their voice, safety, and long-term well-being. Greenberg Gross LLP is here to support you through every step of the legal process, from initial consultation to civil lawsuit to resolution. There are no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
If you or someone you know was sexually abused in a youth sports setting, do not wait. You have legal options, and your story deserves to be heard.
Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as sexual abuse in youth sports?
Sexual abuse in youth sports includes any non-consensual sexual contact, sexual acts, or misconduct involving a child athlete. This may involve inappropriate touching, grooming, coercion, or other actions of a sexual nature committed by a coach, volunteer, or adult in authority.
Can I file a lawsuit if the abuse happened years ago?
Possibly. Under the Child Victims Act, survivors had a two-year window to file civil lawsuits even if their claims were previously time-barred. That revival window closed on August 14, 2021. However, New York law currently allows some survivors to file civil claims for childhood sexual abuse until they turn 55, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Who can be held accountable in youth sports abuse cases?
Liable parties may include the individual abuser, youth sports organizations, coaches, administrators, and any institution that failed to protect the child or responded improperly. Civil lawsuits can target both individuals and institutions.
What compensation can I seek?
Survivors may pursue financial compensation for medical expenses, therapy, lost time or opportunities, emotional suffering, and other damages related to the abuse. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if misconduct or institutional negligence was severe.
How do I begin the legal process?
You can begin by contacting Greenberg Gross LLP for a free and confidential consultation. We will explain your legal options, listen without judgment, and support you in deciding whether to move forward with a civil lawsuit.