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Maryland recently made a landmark change to its legal landscape by eliminating the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases under the **Child Victims Act of 2023**. This law, upheld by the Maryland Supreme Court in February 2025, allows survivors to file lawsuits regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. The decision marks a significant victory for survivors, aligning Maryland with 19 other states and federal jurisdictions that have adopted similar reforms.
Key Provisions of the Child Victims Act
No Time Limit for Civil Claims**: Survivors of child sexual abuse can now file lawsuits at any point in their lives, even decades after the abuse.
Retroactive Application**: The law revives previously time-barred claims, enabling survivors whose cases were previously dismissed to seek justice.
Increased Damages Cap**: The Act raises the cap on noneconomic damages against private entities from $890,000 to $1.5 million, while claims against public entities remain capped at $890,000.
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Ruling
The law faced opposition from institutions like the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and others, which argued that it violated due process by retroactively removing their “vested rights” under a 2017 statute. However, the Maryland Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that statutes of limitations do not grant immunity but merely regulate when claims can be filed. Thus, the legislature had the authority to retroactively remove these limits .
Broader Implications
This ruling is expected to lead to thousands of new lawsuits in Maryland, including claims dating back to the 1960s. Reports suggest that litigation could cost institutions and taxpayers billions of dollars. While survivors and advocacy groups celebrate this as a step toward justice, institutions argue that defending decades-old claims poses challenges due to lost evidence and unavailable witnesses . The law reflects a growing national trend prioritizing survivor rights over procedural barriers, underscoring the importance of accountability for institutions that failed to protect children from abuse.
Michael Brady Lynch Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured by sexual abuse as a child, we are actively taking these cases. Please give us a call at 888-585-5970 or email brandon@mblynchfirm.com.
Date: February 15, 2025
Author: Brandon Salter
Editor-in-Chief: Brandon Salter
Sources
Maryland Supreme Court Upholds Child Victims Act, Delivering Justice for Survivors
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