ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYER
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: August 13, 2025
On This Page
- Andreozzi + Foote Approach and Experience
- What is School Sexual Abuse?
- Survivors’ Legal Rights in Philadelphia
- Who is Liable for School Sexual Abuse?
- Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse in a Philadelphia School
- How Andreozzi + Foote Advocates for Survivors
- Reach Out to Andreozzi + Foote Today for a Free Confidential Consultation
In schools, it’s unfortunately not uncommon for teachers, nurses, and other school staff to misuse their authority to manipulate and abuse students. Many school sexual abuse cases go unreported, as young victims worry they will face consequences if they ask for help.
At Andreozzi + Foote, our Philadelphia school sexual abuse attorneys are committed to supporting survivors and their families in their pursuit of justice. We’re prepared to help you fight back and ensure the perpetrators pay for their crimes.
Andreozzi + Foote Approach and Experience
Andreozzi + Foote has a proven track record of achieving groundbreaking results for survivors of sexual abuse, including an $88 million jury verdict for a survivor–the largest verdict of its kind in Pennsylvania history. Our team of attorneys also handled the largest school sexual abuse case in state history involving Penn State University’s former football coach.
While we are prepared to take cases to trial when necessary, Andreozzi + Foote understands the balance between tenacious advocacy and thoughtful support. Therefore, we prioritize each survivor’s unique healing journey to achieve their definition of justice. Our firm integrates legal expertise with trauma-informed practices, connecting survivors with appropriate counseling and support services while staying updated on the latest approaches to ensure comprehensive care.
Penn State University
$118 Million
Andreozzi + Foote represented over a dozen survivors of Jerry Sandusky
What Is School Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse in schools can take various forms, including misconduct by teachers, staff, or fellow students. This type of abuse can include physical contact like molestation or rape, verbal harassment, and digital communications. Under new Pennsylvania laws, victims of peer-on-peer abuse can also take legal action to seek justice and damages.
Students who have experienced sexual abuse at school may exhibit behavioral and emotional signs, including the following:
- Increased depression, anxiety, or fear
- Self-destructive behavior or drug use
- Decline in grades or interest in coursework
- Increased disciplinary issues
- Expressing a reluctance to go to school or certain classes
- Changes in diet
- Suicidal thoughts
- Unexplained injuries
- Decreased self-esteem
- New or heightened sexual promiscuity or curiosity
Survivors’ Legal Rights in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, the law protects children and other vulnerable groups from sexual abuse and gives survivors of abuse the right to file civil lawsuits to recover compensation for their harm.
Depending on the circumstances of the abuse, survivors may be able to take legal action against the perpetrator and the school or school district as a whole. After a June 2025 decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, victims can now sue school districts for negligence that led to a student’s sexual assault by a third party, even if that party is not a school employee. Thus, schools’ liability is not limited to abuse by school employees, and even extends to conduct by fellow students.
At Andreozzi + Foote, our attorneys have spent years researching and actively engaging with state laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures nationwide to help you and your family determine if you have a case against the perpetrator or organization
Act 87
In 2019, the Pennsylvania legislature passed Act 87, giving victims of child sexual abuse an extended period to file child sexual abuse lawsuits. Survivors now have until their 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit if the abuse occurred after 2019. However, the law is not retroactive, so victims harmed by child sexual abuse before 2019 still have until their 30th birthday to file suit.
There is no criminal statute of limitations for major sex crimes in Pennsylvania. Therefore, prosecutors can file charges for major offenses involving minor victims like rape, sexual assault, and trafficking at any time. For less severe offenses involving minor victims, prosecutors have until the victim’s 55th birthday to bring charges.
“We no longer pursue school sexual abuse cases under Title IX—especially after the Supreme Court’s Cummings decision barred emotional distress damages. Since 2019, Pennsylvania has abolished immunity for public schools, allowing survivors to seek justice in state courts where we can recover real compensation.”
Who is Liable for School Sexual Abuse?
When it comes to school sexual abuse cases, it’s not just the perpetrator who may be held liable for the abuse. While individual perpetrators like staff and other students are liable for their own actions, the staff who supervise them may also be vicariously liable, as can the schools themselves.
Pennsylvania law holds institutions accountable, not just individuals. Schools can be liable for any failure that enabled or contributed to the abuse, like negligent hiring, a failure to properly train staff, or a failure to investigate and discipline student perpetrators. Some of the parties who may be held liable in a school sexual abuse case include:
- Abusers: The individual who committed the abuse, whether a teacher, staff member, coach, volunteer, or student, can face criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
- School Leadership and Administrators: Schools, school boards, and school districts can be liable for institutional failures, including inadequate policies, training, supervision, or ignoring complaints.
- Mandatory Reporters and Staff: School administrators, teachers, and other school staff are mandated to report suspicions of child abuse to authorities. Employees who knew or should have known about abuse but failed to take action can be held accountable.
- Third Parties: Outside contractors or others with a duty of care to students could be liable for abuse that occurs on their watch.
Legal Theories for Liability
School sexual abuse cases are typically based on the following four theories of liability, depending on the circumstances:
- Negligence: The institutions themselves may be liable for negligence if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect their students.
- Institutional Liability: When sexual abuse occurs in schools, the institutions can be liable for systemic failures like improper training, inadequate supervision, or ignoring complaints of abuse.
- Vicarious Liability: If a school employee perpetrates abuse or allows it to occur between students, the school may be held vicariously liable for that employee’s actions.
- Failure to Report: Mandated reporters of abuse, including teachers, school administrators, nurses, and more, can be held liable for failing to report suspected abuse to the authorities.
Alleged Sexual Abuse Perpetrators and Organizations – Philadelphia & Pennsylvania
Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse in a Philadelphia School
Immediate Actions
If you suspect your child or another child at a Philadelphia school is being abused, take steps to ensure the child’s safety by removing them from the situation, seeking medical attention, and preserving any evidence of abuse you may find.
Report the Abuse
How Andreozzi + Foote Advocates for Survivors
After taking steps to ensure the child’s safety, determine whether you will report the abuse to school officials and/or law enforcement. Though reporting the abuse can strengthen a future legal claim, it’s important to put the child’s safety first–if you feel unsure about reporting, consult an attorney first.
Seek Legal Counsel
When dealing with school sexual abuse, it’s critical to consult with an experienced sexual abuse attorney to understand your legal options. An attorney can help you file a formal complaint with the school and determine whether you are eligible to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator and any other parties or institutions who enabled the abuse. Additionally, experienced attorneys can provide resources to help you navigate the healing process.
The skilled and experienced team at Andreozzi + Foote provides the following services:
- Case Development: Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to uncover evidence that supports your claim, including evidence of institutional negligence and patterns of misconduct.
- Strategic Representation: Our legal team develops customized legal strategies based on each survivor’s circumstances and goals, whether seeking accountability, policy changes, or compensation.
- Institutional Reform: Through our work advocating for sexual abuse survivors, we’ve helped implement systemic changes in schools to prevent future abuse and protect other children.
- Survivor Privacy: Andreozzi + Foote carefully protects our clients’ identities and confidentiality throughout the legal process when desired.
- Expert Collaboration: We consult medical professionals, psychologists, and other experts to strengthen cases and support our clients’ recovery needs.
- Public Advocacy: When appropriate and with client consent, we engage with media and policymakers to create broader awareness and push for legislative reform.
Reach Out to Andreozzi + Foote Today for a Free Confidential Consultation
With over 50 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote focus exclusively on sexual abuse cases, giving us the skill and experience necessary to successfully advocate for survivors of abuse. Our Philadelphia child sexual abuse lawyers have litigated some of the highest-profile child sexual abuse cases of our time, creating life-changing results for victims and their families.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at a Philadelphia school, Andreozzi + Foote can help. Dedicated to seeking justice and holding powerful institutions accountable for their negligence, our attorneys combine experience, innovation, and a personal touch to deliver results.
Contact our legal team today by calling 866-311-8640 or completing our online form.
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Empowering Survivors and Delivering Justice Nationwide
We understand the courage it takes to reach out for help, and we are here to listen. At Andreozzi + Foote, our trauma-informed attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate, confidential support every step of the way. With extensive experience in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where your voice is heard and your rights are fiercely protected. Contact us today for a free, in-depth consultation and take the first step toward justice.
