If I was abused and beaten by my stepmother 40 years ago, can I sue her?
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If I was abused and beaten by my stepmother 40 years ago, can I sue her?
My 3 sisters were also beaten and there were many witnesses.
Asked on August 28, 2016 under Personal Injury, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
It is, unfortunately, far too late for this. In your state, child abuse, even sexual abuse, has a statute of limitations, or time within which you must sue, of at most 7 years after the age of majority, or turning 18--that is, you must bring the suit by the time you are 25. If you were beaten 40 years ago, you are over 40 years old; therefore, far too much time has gone by since you turned 18 and became a legal adult to bring a lawsuit for abuse suffered as a child.
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