Can I Hold a School Accountable for Sexual Abuse?

An exterior image of a school that someone is filing a lawsuit against for sexual abuse.

Yes, you can file a lawsuit against the school for sexual abuse. Schools must protect students from harm, including sexual abuse by teachers, coaches, staff members, or even other students. When it fails to uphold this responsibility and a survivor is harmed, the school may be held legally responsible.

We know how devastating and life-changing school sexual abuse can be. Our Columbus sexual abuse lawyers approach every case with care, confidentiality, and compassion. We will help you understand your rights, manage the legal process, and pursue justice on your terms.

When Is a School Liable for Sexual Abuse?

A school may be liable for sexual abuse if it knew or should have known that abuse was occurring—or likely to occur—and failed to take appropriate steps to stop it.

Liability can arise when a school:

Ignored prior complaints or warning signs
Failed to properly screen or supervise staff
Did not act after reports of misconduct
Created or allowed an unsafe environment for students

Lawsuits for sexual abuse can be filed against public and private schools, though the process and deadlines may vary. Government-run schools may have additional legal protections, but these can be overcome in certain cases.

For a free legal consultation, call 614-481-6000

What Legal Options Do Survivors Have?

Survivors may choose to pursue civil lawsuits and criminal charges, depending on the circumstances:

Survivors and others can file civil lawsuits to seek financial damages for the harm suffered.
The state can pursue criminal charges to hold the abuser accountable under criminal law.

Even if the abuser has been convicted (or not charged at all), survivors can still pursue a civil lawsuit against the school and others who enabled or failed to prevent the abuse.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Filing a lawsuit allows survivors to pursue damages for a wide range of harms, including:

Emotional trauma and psychological distress
Medical and therapy expenses (past and future)
Lost education opportunities or earning potential
Pain and suffering
Punitive damages (in some cases, to punish misconduct)

No amount of money can undo what happened, but damages can help support your recovery and hold the school accountable.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

What Is the Deadline to File a Lawsuit?

Ohio law sets strict statutes of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits. However, the rules can be complex, especially if the survivor was a minor when the abuse occurred.

In many cases, adult survivors have up to 12 years from when the abuse happened or when they discovered its effect to file a lawsuit (according to Ohio Revised Code § 2305.111(C)). In some cases, survivors have until they are 30 years old or older, depending on when the abuse was discovered or reported.

Because of Ohio’s legal nuances and evolving laws, you should consult a Columbus personal injury lawyer immediately to avoid losing your right to file a claim.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

What Happens After Filing a Lawsuit?

Filing a lawsuit begins a legal process that may include:

Investigation: Gathering documents, witness accounts, and other evidence
Filing the complaint: A formal legal document outlining your claims
Discovery: When both sides share relevant information
Settlement discussions or a trial: Resolution via settlement or court

We understand that recounting the abuse can be deeply painful. Our attorneys will work to protect you throughout the process, limit retraumatization, and give you control over how much you share and when.

How Our Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help

At Cooper Elliott, we believe survivors deserve to be heard and believed. We also believe legal action can help survivors of sexual abuse heal.

We will assist you by:

Explaining your legal rights clearly and compassionately
Conducting a private and thorough investigation
Holding schools and institutions accountable for negligence
Pursuing the maximum damages available under Ohio law
Offering guidance and support every step of the way

You are not alone. We’re here to stand with you and fight for justice on your behalf.

What if the School Doesn’t Have Insurance or Tries to Avoid Responsibility?

Even if a school claims it lacks coverage or denies wrongdoing, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. A skilled attorney can help uncover other avenues for accountability. This may include:

Filing suit against individual employees, administrators, or school districts
Pursuing claims through state programs or special compensation funds
Using legal discovery to uncover hidden facts and evidence

No institution should be allowed to escape responsibility through technicalities or silence.

What if the Abuser Was Another Student?

Schools must act if there are signs that one student is harassing or abusing another. This includes:

Taking reports of abuse seriously
Conducting investigations after abuse allegations arise
Ensuring a safe environment for all students

When a school fails to do these things and someone gets hurt, a lawsuit can still be filed—even if the abuser was not a staff member.

We Will Help You File a Lawsuit Against a School for Sexual Abuse—Call Us for a Free Consultation

Finding the right lawyer matters when you want to explore filing a lawsuit against a school for sexual abuse or misconduct. The legal process is complex, the timeline can be long, and the emotional toll is real, but you don’t have to go through it all alone.

Survivors often face a difficult and uncertain road. The legal system can feel overwhelming, and reliving the trauma may feel impossible. At Cooper Elliott, we will walk beside you every step of the way. We know the stakes are high, so we never take your trust for granted.

We’re committed to helping you feel heard, supported, and empowered to make the right decisions for your future. We have represented hundreds of clients for 30 years, recovering $700 million in awards for them. We’ll listen to you, guide you, and fight for what’s right. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Contact Cooper Elliott today

Recent Reviews

Click here to review us on Google

A Mape

19:05 16 Mar 25

Rex Elliott at Cooper Elliott is truly exceptional. He was the perfect balance of empathy and toughness—understanding my issue deeply while giving me unwavering confidence throughout the entire process. One of the things I appreciated most was how easy he was to reach and communicate with, always making me feel heard and supported. Thanks to his expertise, we had a resolution within just three days and received everything we asked for. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate. Rex is simply the best! Highly recommend!

official PRODICAL

18:35 19 Feb 25

I spoke on the phone with a young lady name Tammy, an absolute angel. She was there for me emotionally through the phone after my financial crisis and she allowed me to vent and she was very supportive and understanding to me. She led me in the direction on the right ladies for my current situation and I am very thankful to have crossed paths with her. She had a sense of humor that brought my mood from down to back up and trusting faith we will get thru this. Thank you again for the motivation Tammy.

Tammy McKinney

22:27 08 Jan 25

I was t-boned in an intersection on my way to work. It was terrifying. Officers on scene indicated the man who hit me was being cited. Then they learned he is a local celebrity and decided against it. My car was totaled and I was in pain. And now this guy gets to walk away. Until Sean Alto and his paralegal Kim got hold of my file and said - hold up - not on my watch. They dug in, found the evidence and made it right. Thank you all so much!! Highly recommend.

Christina Coppel

13:06 16 Oct 24

I worked with Rex and Adam along with multiple others. The team was extremely knowledgeable and transparent through my entire case to help me best understand my options. I felt supported during a very difficult time and was confident in the advice I received.

Sara Eldred

23:35 03 Aug 24

I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by Sean Alto, Ben Cooper, Sommer Donnelly, and the entire team at Cooper Elliott during my personal injury case. Sean took on my case with urgency, compassion, and expertise that made a challenging time filled with uncertainty much more manageable.Their thorough understanding of the legal process, combined with a compassionate approach, ensured that I felt supported and informed every step of the way. They fought tirelessly on my behalf, resulting in a settlement that exceeded my expectations.I highly recommend Sean, Ben, or any of the phenomenal experts with Cooper Elliott to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney. Their commitment to their clients and their ability to achieve outstanding results truly sets them apart. Thank you, Sean and the Cooper Elliott team for your hard work and for helping me achieve justice. I couldn't imagine going through something like this with anyone else.

Michelle Clever

21:51 16 Jul 24

Attorney Kaela King is an exceptional legal professional who I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone seeking expert legal counsel. Attorney King demonstrated unparalleled dedication, expertise, and empathy.Her deep knowledge of the law combined with her sharp analytical skills ensured that every aspect of my case was thoroughly examined and strategically handled. What truly sets Attorney King apart is her genuine care for her clients. She took the time to listen attentively to my concerns, explained complex legal jargon in a clear manner, and always kept me informed about the progress of my case.Throughout the entire process, Attorney King exhibited a high level of professionalism and integrity. She approached each challenge with confidence and determination, consistently advocating for my best interests. Her proactive approach and meticulous attention to detail instilled a sense of confidence in me that I was in capable hands.Thanks to Attorney King's hard work and dedication, I am immensely grateful for her support and guidance during a challenging time. If you are searching for a trustworthy and highly skilled attorney who genuinely cares about her clients, look no further than Attorney Kaela King. She is a true advocate for justice and a beacon of excellence in the legal profession.

Steven Ulry

13:47 10 Jul 24

For the most part when you need legal representation something has not gone well. You are concerned, anxiety is up, you feel low, even frightened, and there does not seem to be a light anywhere around. Thus, I am very happy that I called CooperElliott. Much of that despair began to lift, I knew I had someone behind me, in front of me, beside me, and that I was not alone. I was treated like I had been a client for forever by everyone I was in contact with and met with. A great firm that will fight for you, and that means a great deal when you need someone who will do that with you. Thank you CooperElliott.

Felix Santiago Miralles Hernandez

15:35 09 May 24

Ben good lawyer, he schedule a zoom to hear my case. Could not help me, but he answer every question i had. Help me what i need to do next, i was very helpfull. Recommended. Type of lawyer that is no looking fo the money, he really wanted to help.

Megan Frognowski

13:14 29 Apr 24

I highly recommend Kaela King. She provided efficient and effective legal consultation over the phone and via email. Her communications were clear, timely, and respectful.

Annie Lewis

18:41 23 Apr 24

I highly recommend Kaela King. She provided compassionate and supportive legal consultation over the phone that provided me with clear guidance and answers to my legal questions.

Federico Rubiano

19:47 05 Apr 24

Even though Mr. Cooper wasn’t able to take my case, he was kind enough to point me in the right direction and answer all my questions, regarding my matter. I appreciate your time!

Kim Hoover

14:54 03 Apr 24

Through the law firm Cooper Elliott, I dealt with attorney, Bart Keyes. Bart was very thorough and understood that I Had no clue of how this process would go. Bart took the time needed to help educate me on this process for a very positive outcome.I can’t thank Bart and the staff at Cooper Elliott enough for all they have done for me. I am now able to move on with my life!

Anthony Johnson

16:51 29 Mar 24

My name is Anthony Johnson and I just spoke with Ben Cooper about a wrongful accusation case, unfortunately they don't take on cases such as these but Ben gave me some valuable information and I could tell he really was trying to help me. Very knowledgeable and a great listener. Give him all call for anything law related. Made me feel important.

Brian Hewitt

03:46 23 Mar 24

I worked with Adam Richards and his team. They were empathetic to my situation and extremely professional. I don't know what I would have done without their expert guidance and counsel. Adam really knows his stuff, and it was clear he had an excellent rapport with all who assisted in the case. Adam's communication abilities were next level. I never had to worry about getting ahold of him when needed. I know he and his team will continue to knock it out of the park for all future clients like they did for me.

Chris Sullivan

14:10 02 Mar 24

My husband, Bob and I were injured in an automobile accident in December, 2022 when someone came through a Stop sign. We contacted Cooper Elliott, and were fortunate to work with Sean Alto and Kaela King. They came to our home several times to meet us and discuss the case, and got to know us personally as well as professionally. They really care about their clients! In addition, Michael Tonovitz stayed in contact with us to keep us informed on the progress of the case, which was resolved to our satisfaction.We highly recommend this law firm for personal injury!

Dads Specialty

14:06 15 Feb 24

Highly Recommend Jon with Cooper & Elliott firm. He was very responsive and went above and beyond to help with our situation. Can't thank him enough for everything he has done for us. He will be our "Guy" moving forward for any legal help!!

Ayesha Ansari

23:14 25 Jan 24

Excellent firm i am so glad I found cooper Elliot. My attorneys Jon and Adam helped me through the entire process

Katie Farina

15:39 21 Dec 23

I am so glad I found cooper Elliot. My attorneys Jon and Adam helped me through the entire process. After a traumatic experience in my life I was confused and in pain. They worked tirelessly to become familiar with all the details of my story and represented me in a way that made me more able to process and understand the trauma myself. This was huge for me, while there’s still healing to do, I can do that work now instead of staying in a purgatory of cognitive dissonance. They didn’t just win justice for me, they are a significant part of my healing journey. They were validating, non judgmental, honest, and knowledgeable.

Cindi Rourk

17:29 15 Dec 23

Excellent firm. The firm was referred to us for a commercial dispute. Bart Keyes is a master negotiator and kept us informed at all times. Highly recommend.

A D

16:10 08 Dec 23

Jonathan Bond handled a personal injury claim for me quickly with maximum results. He’s pleasant and enjoyable to work with, as well as compassionate. The firm handled all the legwork of getting medical records and copies of paperwork, which not all firms do. I would recommend Jonathan to anyone and would definitely go back to him if the need were to arise again.

Joe Miller

12:19 02 Sep 23

Very satisfied! We dealt with Bart Keyes who showed genuine interest in our situation. Bart was always very quick to respond when we had questions and kept us informed throughout the case. If you need legal representation for a commercial real estate dispute we highly recommend Bart and the Cooper Elliot firm!

Melanie Zook

08:42 23 Jul 23

I honestly struggle to find the words to describe how incredible this firm is, especially Jeffrey Kenny and Sean Alto. 7 years ago, my family started a journey through a nightmare. When the criminal justice system fell woefully short, Jeff agreed to take on our incredibly challenging and lengthy case, with no other reason than that it was the right thing to do, and he believed we deserved justice. There were so many times when I would have understood if they walked away, but they refused and vowed to get us the justice we deserved, and almost 7 years later, they have given my family just that. I will never, ever, forget what they have done for us. We were never just another case. They made us feel like we were their ONLY case! Thank you will never come close to the gratitude and respect I have for Jeff and Sean, as well as for Cooper Elliott. They will be superheroes in our home, forever!

CM Buzzard

15:30 21 Jul 23

Everyone from top to bottom in this company is always polite and ready to help. and no matter what is thrown their way, it's handled quickly and skillfully. Whoever represents you will show themselves to be a master in their craft. You can feel safe working with Cooper Elliott.

Matt Boaz

11:20 16 Jun 23

I would highly recommend Cooper Elliott to any of my friends and family! Chip Cooper was extremely helpful guiding me through a difficult process. Chip was patient with me and provided feedback during the process that kept me informed until the desired outcome was achieved. There were interactions with other staff of the firm (whose names I do not know) that were helpful as well, I was impressed with the entire team!

Jason Hick

06:30 17 May 23

Adam Richards is the best attorney I have ever met. He is responsive and very patient (I had a lot of questions) and he truly cares. He fought hard for me and he stands up to the bully. he is not afraid to take on anyone. Anytime I hear someone who has a legal issue I go out of my way to recommend Adam. He is unlike any attorney I have ever met. He is compassionate and he always answers his phone. There is no way I would have got the results I received with any other attorney. He was a bulldog in my case and really went to bat for me. Words cant express how grateful I am to him. His actions personally affected my life in a very positive way. He protected me in so many ways I couldn't begin to name them. It is a great feeling when you know your attorney outmatches the other party's attorney and it is obvious.

Can I File a Lawsuit Against the School for Sexual Abuse?