ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
PHILADELPHIA SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYER
Home » Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Lawyer » Philadelphia Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: October 28, 2025
Sexual abuse can have devastating physical and emotional effects, and survivors in Philadelphia deserve justice. At Andreozzi + Foote, our Philadelphia sexual abuse lawyers have extensive experience helping survivors hold abusers and negligent institutions accountable. We provide compassionate support and strong legal representation to help you file a sexual abuse lawsuit and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Video Transcript
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved to fly. At 5 or 10,000 ft, your problems on the ground seem insignificant. I like the risk. I like the sense that if something goes wrong, it can go very wrong. Every time you fly, you’re going to run into a few bumps. Typically, that turbulence doesn’t mean much. It feels like the end of the world, but as long as you remain steady and consistent and you push through it, just like if you’ve experienced something traumatic or you brought a lawsuit because of your abuse, there will be turbulence. There will be bumps, but we are good at navigating those and helping people through them.
The most important thing in my life is my family and my three young children. It’s my duty and responsibility to protect them and to aid them to become the best people that they can. When I became an advocate for sexual abuse survivors, I had not yet been a father. And from the time that I have had my children, it has absolutely put rocket fuel in my determination and motivation to fight for survivors. Because every day I wake up and see my own children and would do everything I could to protect them.
Myself, as well as four of my other sisters, were all abused by the same Catholic priest. None of us talked to each other about our own abuse for 26 years. My youngest sister was the first to speak out. She saw a commercial looking for those in the Harrisburg area that were abused by clergy and she sought out Andreozzi. She invited myself and my other sisters along for
the first meeting, and we all agreed unanimously after that meeting that they were the ones. We felt very comfortable with them. They were patient and listened to our story. They didn’t push us to make any decisions because we were afraid. We felt alone. But we immediately felt after meeting them that they were part of our team to help us get through this. And here we are, many years later, and we really do consider them a part of our family. You’ll never feel comfortable doing it, but your story could help save someone’s life. I would most definitely refer others to Andreozzi + Foote.
Andreozzi + Foote was started about 20 years ago after I left a large Philadelphia-based commercial litigation law firm. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of real people, and we made a connection with survivors of sexual abuse. Ever since then, it’s been our mission to obtain life-changing results for survivors and their families. Our experience and the results we’ve obtained for survivors are unparalleled.
Most firms handle a variety of different matters, different kinds of cases, and our firm decided a long time ago that this was going to be the thing that we did. And we were going to try to be better than anybody else at it. It requires a certain approach to client management and litigation that most law firms don’t provide. We hold our people accountable for their actions and ensure that we are responsive to our clients, responsive to deadlines, and we’re always available when clients need us. It feels good to be the first person to believe and listen to somebody in a situation where they’ve been ignored. We know it’s incredibly difficult for victims to come forward, but what we’ve seen over the years is the empowerment it can give them to go through this system and to hold organizations accountable for their actions so they can receive the resources that they need for healing.
How Can Andreozzi + Foote Help My Philadelphia Sexual Abuse Case?
Andreozzi + Foote is a nationally recognized civil firm known for its successful advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse and violent crime. Our attorneys have been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, and more for our work advocating for survivors. Founding partner Nathaniel Foote has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for survivors of abuse, including the following results:
- $88 million verdict in a child sex abuse case—one of the largest such verdicts in the United States
- $1.53 million verdict in a child sex abuse case
Unlike most firms, Andreozzi + Foote has a victim advocate on our staff to provide our clients with empathetic support. She has personal experience dealing with sexual abuse cases and survivors, so she knows how survivors are feeling and what they are going through.
Legal Expertise
Sexual abuse cases are extremely complex. Each case involves evidence collection, negotiations, complicated legal processes, and a unique statute of limitations. As a niche firm, we exclusively focus on sexual abuse cases, and our specialization allows us to offer tailored strategies and insights that many generalist firms cannot match.
Emotional Support
At Andreozzi + Foote, we not only offer clients legal guidance but also compassionate support and comfort. Our victim advocate knows what our clients are going through and supports them throughout the legal process. When appropriate, we also strive to connect our clients with programs, advocates, and therapists to ensure they are in the hands of trusted professionals with adequate trauma-informed practices proven to help.
Protection of Rights
Our Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyers have extensive experience advocating for survivors of sexual abuse and will do whatever it takes to protect the victim’s rights. We have spent decades thoroughly researching and actively engaging with state laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures nationwide. Therefore, we can help you and your family determine if you have a case against the perpetrator or the organization involved.
“I contacted Andreozzi and Foote with a serious issue I needed help with. Beyond being one of the most professional companies I reached out to, and getting back to me immediately, their team was extremely empathetic to my situation and genuinely expressed care and concern and a desire to want to help me. I felt so comfortable after our very first conversation and feel I’m being represented by a truly compassionate company that has my absolute best interest at heart. I know I made the right choice having them represent me.”
– Meghan R.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
A range of conduct constitutes sexual abuse under Pennsylvania law, including rape, sexual assault, institutional assault, and more. The law defines rape as when someone engages in sexual intercourse with another person by force, under the threat of force, or when the other person is unconscious, drugged to prevent resistance, or incapable of consent. Sexual assault occurs when a person engages in any sexual act with someone who does not consent. Institutional sexual assault occurs when an employee of a government or health care facility engages in indecent contact with a person under their care or supervision.
Types of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can occur in countless settings and situations, each involving different legal implications. Some of the most prevalent forms of sexual abuse include child abuse, workplace abuse, domestic abuse, institutional abuse, sexual abuse in religious institutions, and sexual abuse in schools and universities.
The Prevalence of Sexual Abuse in Philadelphia
According to a 2024 report by The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, between 2019 and 2023, more than 32,000 people were charged in over 36,000 child abuse cases statewide. Nearly 11,000 of those people were convicted, and Philadelphia County had more child abuse cases than any other county, making up 12 percent of all child abuse cases in the state.
Statute of Limitations In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has civil and criminal statutes of limitations for sexual abuse cases. These statutes set the deadlines for bringing criminal charges and filing civil lawsuits. These deadlines vary based on the victim’s age, how long ago the abuse occurred, and the nature of the conduct. Several deadlines changed in 2019 after a new law amended the statutes of limitations. An attorney can assist you in determining the specific statute of limitations for your case.
If you’ve survived sexual abuse, you may not feel emotionally ready to face the prospect of pursuing justice. However, it’s important to act before the deadline for your case to ensure you have an opportunity to pursue justice. A successful result in a sexual abuse case may provide a survivor with the means to heal and move on with their life, and Andreozzi + Foote is here to support survivors throughout the entire process.
Types of Claims In Philadelphia Sexual Abuse Cases
There are two main types of Philadelphia sexual abuse cases: criminal and civil. The criminal justice system aims to hold the perpetrators of sexual abuse accountable by determining whether they committed a crime and how they should be punished.
On the other hand, civil cases are often filed against institutions and organizations that enabled the abuse, not individual perpetrators. There is often a business, organization, or institution such as a church, school, residential care facility, youth organization, or health care provider that could have prevented the abuse from happening. When these organizations fail to protect victims from sexual abuse, they can be held accountable and forced to pay compensation for the injuries the victim has suffered.
What To Expect During The Legal Process
- INITIAL CONSULTATION: Our attorneys will listen to your story and determine whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit.
- INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY: We will gather as much information and evidence as possible to build a strong case. This process may include collecting medical records, looking through communication records, reviewing photos and videos, analyzing police reports, and more.
- SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS: Our attorneys will work with the liable party and their counsel to attempt to negotiate a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for the harm you’ve endured.
- LITIGATION AND TRIAL: After filing your case and gathering all the evidence, we will work to resolve your case with the liable party. We may be able to settle your case out of court. If not, we’ll take it to trial and fight for your best interests.
Choose Andreozzi + Foote To Help You Fight For Justice
Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading law firms representing survivors of sexual abuse. Our attorneys have successfully represented some of the highest-profile child sexual abuse cases in recent years. Led by expert trauma-informed attorneys, Andreozzi + Foote is committed to creating life-changing results for victims and their families.
We understand that the most important role of the lawyer is to listen to the client and create a path toward recovery specifically designed for that individual survivor. Our firm is committed to putting our clients’ needs first, focusing on confidentiality, respect, empathy, and dignity. We are dedicated to uncovering the truth, exposing negligence, and ensuring justice for survivors of abuse.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of sexual abuse in Philadelphia, reach out to Andreozzi + Foote today for a free, confidential consultation by calling 866-311-8640 or filling out our online contact 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.