ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYER
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: May 8, 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 that the school is held accountable for its failures and inaction.
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 is the only one to have taken sexual abuse cases to trial in the western, central, and eastern regions of the state.
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.
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.
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.
Federal law also protects students from sexual abuse. Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a school must take steps to prevent sexual abuse and must respond appropriately to reports of abuse. Schools must also offer supportive measures to victims regardless of whether a formal complaint is made.
At Andreozzi + Foote, our attorneys have spent years thoroughly 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.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at school, it’s important to know that there are deadlines for filing a lawsuit.
In Pennsylvania, victims of child sexual abuse now have until their 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit if the abuse occurred after 2018. That’s because a 2019 law extended the civil statute of limitations. However, the law is not retroactive, and the previous deadline applies to older cases. Therefore, those harmed by child sexual abuse before 2019 have until their 30th birthday to file suit.
There is no deadline to report major child sex abuse crimes to the police. Prosecutors can file charges for major offenses involving minor victims like rape, sexual assault, and trafficking at any time. For less severe offenses involving a minor victim, prosecutors have until the victim’s 55th birthday to bring charges.
Who is Liable for School Sexual Abuse?
When it comes to school sexual abuse cases, multiple parties beyond the perpetrator may be held liable for the abuse. While individual perpetrators are liable for their own actions, the staff who supervise them may also be liable via vicarious liability.
The school itself can also be liable for any failure that led to the abuse. For instance, it could be liable for Title IX violations, negligent hiring, or a failure to properly train staff. Some of the parties who may be held liable in a school sexual abuse case include:
- Perpetrators: 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 and their boards can be liable for institutional failures, including inadequate policies, training, supervision, or ignoring complaints.
- Mandatory Reporters and Staff: School administrators, teachers, nurses, social service workers, daycare center workers, or any other child care workers are mandated to report suspicions of child abuse to authorities. Any employees who knew or should have known about the abuse but failed to take action can also 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 three theories of liability, depending on the circumstances:
- Negligence: The schools themselves may be liable for negligence if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect their students.
- Title IX: Schools can be liable for Title IX violations if they did not address sexual abuse as required by federal law, including investigating the abuse, reporting the abuse, and taking action to prevent recurrence.
- Civil Rights: A school can be held liable for a civil rights violation for abuse, since sexual violence is considered a form of discrimination under the law.
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
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.
How Andreozzi + Foote Advocates for Survivors
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 works carefully to protect 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.
