For Survivors
What You Need to Know Before You Decide Anything
Coming forward is hard. Deciding whether to pursue legal action is harder. This page is for survivors who want to understand their rights before making any decisions — no pressure, no sales pitch.
Frank Stucki represents survivors of institutional abuse, elder neglect, and school misconduct. He works on contingency — you pay nothing unless he wins.
Your Rights
Rights You Have That Most Survivors Don't Know About
You Have the Right to Know What Happened
Civil discovery is one of the most powerful tools available to survivors. Through a lawsuit, Frank can compel institutions to produce internal records, complaint logs, personnel files, and communications that they would never voluntarily disclose. Many survivors learn the full truth of what happened — and how long the institution knew — only through litigation.
You Have the Right to Pursue Accountability
A civil lawsuit is not just about money. It is about making a public record. It is about forcing an institution to acknowledge what happened. It is about creating consequences that change how the institution operates — so the next person doesn't go through what you went through.
You Have the Right to Pursue a Civil Case Regardless of Criminal Outcomes
You can file a civil lawsuit even if the abuser was never criminally charged, even if charges were dropped, and even if the abuser was acquitted. The standard of proof in civil court is lower than in criminal court, and the targets are different — civil cases often focus on the institution, not just the individual.
You Have the Right to Wait Until You Are Ready
Healing is not linear. Frank understands that survivors come forward on their own timeline. What matters is that you call before the statute of limitations expires. If you're not sure whether your window is still open, call Frank — he'll tell you where you stand.
Time Limits
Statutes of Limitations — What You Need to Know
Every state has a deadline to file a civil lawsuit. Miss it and you permanently lose your right to sue — no exceptions. The information below is a general summary. Your specific situation may be different. Call Frank to find out exactly where you stand.
Nevada has significantly extended its statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. Adult survivors may have until age 38 to file, and the discovery rule may extend the window further. General personal injury claims are typically two years from the date of injury.
California has one of the most survivor-friendly statutes in the country. AB 218 (2019) eliminated the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims and opened a three-year lookback window. That window has closed, but ongoing claims have no deadline for childhood abuse.
Utah allows childhood sexual abuse survivors to file until age 53, or within three years of discovering the connection between the abuse and the harm suffered. General personal injury claims are four years.
Washington has no statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. Survivors may file at any time. General personal injury claims are three years.
This is general information, not legal advice. Statutes of limitations are complex and fact-specific. The only way to know whether your window is still open is to speak with Frank directly.
What to Expect
Frank Will Not Push You. He Will Tell You the Truth.
The first call is not a sales call. Frank will not tell you that you have a great case just to sign you up. He listens, asks questions, and tells you honestly what the law says.
If you have a viable claim, he explains what pursuing it looks like — the process, the timeline, the likely challenges. If he doesn't believe the law gives you a path forward, he will tell you that too.
You are in control. Frank works for you. You decide whether to move forward, when to settle, and whether to go to trial.
Recommended Reading & Viewing
Books, Films, and Websites Worth Your Time
Frank has collected resources that survivors, families, and advocates have found useful — books that explain trauma, films that show how accountability happens, and organizations that provide support.
The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
A landmark work on how trauma reshapes the body and brain — and what recovery actually looks like.
View ResourceRAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Crisis support, resources, and a national hotline.
View ResourceSpotlight
Tom McCarthy, dir.
The true story of the Boston Globe investigation into institutional abuse — a powerful look at how institutions protect themselves and how accountability happens.
View ResourceThe Clock Is Running. Frank Is Ready.
Statutes of limitations are real deadlines — miss one and your right to sue is gone forever. When you're ready to find out where you stand, Frank will tell you the truth. Free, confidential, no obligation.