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Major Ruling in the Fight for Justice: Maryland Supreme Court upholds the Child Victims Act of 2023

A Crucial Step Towards Justice

RICHMOND, VA – The Joel Bieber Firm’s sexual assault practice, representing several clients alleging abuse at the private Key School in Annapolis, welcomes Monday’s decision by the Maryland Supreme Court to eliminate time restrictions on child abuse victims’ civil claims. The ruling means that previously halted civil suits can now return to the trial court to proceed.

By upholding the constitutionality of the Maryland Child Victims Act (MCVA), the state’s highest court recognized the General Assembly’s authority to eliminate the time restrictions on previously barred claims for victims of child sexual abuse.

Monday’s ruling would not have been possible
without the courage, strength, and perseverance
required to pursue this case for so many years.

“We applaud this landmark decision, which is a crucial step toward justice for our clients,” stated Melissa Hague, an attorney with The Joel Bieber Firm and director of its sexual assault division. Hague represents one of the brave plaintiffs whose case was argued before the Maryland Supreme Court, along with five others whose suits were put on hold pending the court’s decision.

“The state’s Supreme Court recognized that a reasonably diligent victim of child sexual abuse cannot be expected to pursue a claim based on an arbitrary time period in light of the serious life-long emotional, psychological, and physical health issues caused by sexual abuse.” 

Now our clients will finally
get their day in court.

Hague noted that the abuse suffered by her clients occurred in the 1970s when the victims were in middle school; prior to the Maryland Child Victims Act, they had no legal action against the institution that perpetuated their abuse and protected their abusers.  Over the past decade, these survivors have sought some measure of accountability and responsibility by sharing their stories with the General Assembly in support of passing the MCVA.                   

“Monday’s ruling would not have been possible without the courage, strength, and perseverance required to pursue this case for so many years—even amid uncertainty about the legislation’s success,” Hague said. “Because the law removes time restrictions, now our clients will finally get their day in court.”

“We are optimistic and hopeful that other states will follow Maryland’s lead by passing similar legislation,” Hague said.

Read the full press release here!

The Joel Bieber Firm prides itself on providing outstanding legal representation to its clients. Whether it’s a small claim or a multi-million dollar action, our personal injury attorneys dedicate themselves to ensuring the best possible outcome.