Sexual Abuse and Assault Lawyer in Columbus, IN

A single disclosure, whispered to a parent, a teacher, or a friend, can be the moment that finally interrupts a pattern of harm that institutions ignored for years. When that harm happened in Columbus, Indiana, the person who caused it is rarely the only one who should be held responsible.

At Wagner Reese LLP, we represent survivors of sexual abuse and assault who are ready to hold negligent institutions, employers, and individuals accountable. We understand that reaching out after abuse takes courage, and we take on sexual abuse and assault cases to give Indiana families a firm that listens first and litigates second.

What Columbus Survivors Should Know About These Cases

Sexual abuse claims are different from typical personal injury cases because the wrongdoing often extends beyond the individual abuser. Schools, churches, youth sports organizations, care facilities, and employers can all be held civilly liable when they knew, or reasonably should have known, about a risk and failed to act. According to RAINN, most juvenile victims of sexual abuse already know their abuser, and the majority of these cases involve someone the family trusted before the harm occurred.

That trust is exactly why institutional failures matter so much in these claims. If a school administrator dismissed early warning signs, if a religious organization moved an accused staff member to a new congregation instead of reporting concerns, or if a youth sports league skipped background checks, that institution may share responsibility for what happened next. We investigate every party connected to the abuse, not just the individual who committed it, because survivors deserve full accountability.

Indiana law also allows civil claims to proceed separately from any criminal case, and in many situations survivors have more time than they realize to bring a claim. We walk every Columbus client through the specific deadlines and legal options that apply to their situation before any decision is made.

Indiana’s Extended Statute of Limitations for Abuse Survivors

Sexual abuse claims often surface years after the underlying harm, whether because a survivor was a child when the abuse occurred or because it took time to fully understand what happened and who else may share responsibility. Indiana recognizes this reality, and the state’s ordinary two-year deadline for personal injury claims does not automatically apply to these cases.

Under IC § 34-11-2-4(b), a survivor of child sexual abuse in Indiana generally has until the later of seven years after the cause of action accrues or four years after the survivor stops being a dependent of the person accused of the abuse. Because these timelines can be complicated by when the harm was discovered or reported, we encourage every Columbus survivor to talk with an attorney promptly so we can determine exactly how much time remains to bring a claim.

How We Build Strong Cases for Survivors

Every abuse case we take on starts with a thorough investigation into what the institution knew and when. We gather personnel records, prior complaints, internal communications, and witness statements to build a timeline that shows the full pattern of negligence. This groundwork often uncovers evidence that a survivor never knew existed, including other victims who were never reported.

Once we understand the full scope of what happened, we pursue the parties responsible through several avenues depending on the case. This can include the following:

• Institutional negligence claims: Holding schools, churches, camps, and care facilities accountable for failing to supervise or report known risks.
• Employer liability claims: Pursuing organizations that hired, retained, or failed to properly vet an abuser.
• Third-party liability claims: Identifying any other individual or entity whose inaction allowed the abuse to continue.
  
  

We build these cases with the same rigor we bring to catastrophic injury litigation, because survivors deserve attorneys who treat their case with the seriousness it demands. Attorneys on our team, including Stephanie Cassman, work through the nuances of clergy abuse cases and youth sports abuse cases, so Columbus families get guidance from people who understand these institutions from the inside out.

Why Columbus Families Choose Wagner Reese LLP

Wagner Reese LLP was founded in 1997 by Stephen Wagner, who was joined by partner Jason Reese in 2000 to build a firm dedicated to representing injury victims across Indiana. Our attorneys bring a combined 150+ years of experience to every case we accept, and our team is recognized year after year by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. We are also proud to be recognized as a Tier-One Best Lawyers Law Firm, a distinction that reflects the depth of experience our team brings to survivors across the state.

We are selective about the cases we accept because sexual abuse litigation requires patience, resources, and a willingness to take on powerful institutions. Our firm works on contingency, so Columbus families never pay out of pocket to pursue accountability, and we only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf. 

Contact Wagner Reese LLP for Help With Your Case Today

Coming forward about abuse is difficult, and choosing the right attorney afterward should not add to that burden. Wagner Reese LLP has spent decades building the resources and courtroom experience needed to take on institutions that failed to protect the people in their care, and we bring that same commitment to every Columbus family we represent.

If you experienced sexual abuse or assault connected to an Indiana institution, you do not have to face the next step alone. Reach out to our team through our contact form to discuss what happened in a confidential conversation, and let us help you understand the options available to you.