North Carolina SAFE Child Act
SB 199 Strengthens the Rights of Child Sex Abuse Survivors
Update: In June 2023, the case challenging the constitutionality of the SAFE Child Act will be heard by the North Carolina Supreme Court of Appeals. Lawyers for the Gaston County Board of Education are attempting to undo the lookback window created by the SAFE Child Act, arguing that it would create an opportunity for “endless” liability. If the constitutional challenge is upheld, then it would mean hundreds of victims of child sex abuse who filed lawsuits using the SAFE Child Act lookback window will have their claims dismissed, and a large amount of evidence of child abuse and administrative neglect will be kept confidential and out of the public eye.
The child sex abuse attorneys of Lanier Law Group will be arguing the case at the Court of Appeals to save the lookback window for all the victims of child sex abuse who are relying on it for justice. Be sure to visit our blog or check back here frequently for important updates.
In 2019, the North Carolina General Assembly passed SB 199, or the SAFE Child Act, to revamp the Old North State’s protections for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It extended the statute of limitations, granted previously barred survivors the chance to file a claim during a “lookback window,” and implemented other protections for survivors. It is, therefore, the single most important piece of victims’ rights legislation to be passed in North Carolina in the past 50 years.
At Lanier Law Group, our North Carolina SAFE Child Act lawyers are advocating for child sex abuse survivors under this historic act. We are staunch proponents of SB 199, participating in efforts to protect it from opponents. Our lawyers even argued to defend its constitutionality at a special hearing before a three-judge panel.
Are you interested in filing a claim under the SAFE Child Act? Call Lanier Law Group at (855) 757-4204 to discuss your rights and options.
About the SAFE Child Act
A New Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse Claims
As mentioned, the SAFE Child Act extended the statute of limitations on child sex abuse claims. Anyone who was victimized by abuse as a child now has until the age of 28 to file a lawsuit against the abuser and any institution or individual who enabled them. The previous statute of limitations expired on the survivor’s 21st birthday.
The Lookback Window Closes December 31, 2021
In recognition of how the previous statute of limitations was grossly inadequate, the SAFE Child Act opened a “lookback window” during which survivors who were previously barred from filing a claim were given another chance to do so. The lookback window under the SAFE Child Act opened January 1, 2020 and will close December 31, 2021.
New Requirements for Mandatory Reporting and Training
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There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it's interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don't have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.- Diane W.
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I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!- Phillip J.
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Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.- Mario H.
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The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.- Malinda P.
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