February 23, 2025: Missouri lawmakers have advanced a bill that extends the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors to file civil lawsuits. This proposed legislative change is a significant step toward justice for survivors who may have been previously barred from taking legal action due to time restrictions.
What the Missouri Bill Means for Survivors
- Extended Deadline to File Lawsuits: Survivors of child sexual abuse would now have until age 41 to file a civil case against their abusers and institutions that enabled the abuse. missouriindependent.com
- A Response to Past Failures: The bill was introduced following allegations of sexual abuse at Kanakuk Kamps, a Christian summer camp in Missouri, where multiple survivors have come forward with claims of abuse spanning decades.
- Progress Toward Justice: The Missouri House passed the bill 92-42, and it now moves to the Senate for further consideration. missouriindependent.com
If You Are a Survivor, You May Now Have Legal Options
This bill acknowledges the lasting trauma of childhood sexual abuse and seeks to provides more time for survivors to come forward. If you or a loved one were abused in Missouri, this legislative change, if signed into law, could allow you to seek legal accountability and financial compensation.
Sauder Schelkopf is Representing Sexual Abuse Survivors Nationwide
At Sauder Schelkopf, we are committed to helping survivors pursue justice against their abusers and the institutions that allowed the abuse to occur. Our experienced legal team has successfully litigated sexual abuse cases across the country and is currently investigating claims related to abuse in Missouri.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this case alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting Sauder Schelkopf does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. If you believe you have a legal claim, we encourage you to seek legal counsel as soon as possible, as time limitations may apply.
Why Choose Sauder Schelkopf?
- We Handle Sensitive Cases with Compassion & Experience – Our legal team has extensive experience fighting for abuse survivors.
- You Owe Nothing Unless We Win – We work on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs.
- Confidential & Free Consultations – Your privacy is our priority. We provide discreet and confidential legal consultations.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Missouri’s new legislation may provide a second chance for survivors to seek justice—but time is still a factor. If you or a loved one suffered abuse, do not wait.
📞 Call us today: 888-711-9975
📧 Email us: info@sstriallawyers.com
Sauder Schelkopf is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in sexual abuse litigation, with a proven track record of securing significant settlements and achieving systemic reforms for survivors.
Notable Achievements:
- University of Southern California (USC) Settlement: The firm, in collaboration with co-counsel, secured a historic $215 million settlement on behalf of female patients of Dr. George Tyndall, a USC gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct since the 1990s. This settlement is among the largest in sex abuse cases and includes provisions for systemic changes in reporting and investigating sexual abuse on campus.
- Ohio State University (OSU) Litigation: Representing former students and athletes, Sauder Schelkopf is involved in litigation concerning sexual misconduct by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former OSU doctor. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
- As of January 2025, Ohio State University has paid approximately $40.9 million to settle lawsuits from 162 men who alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former team doctor.
- In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing lawsuits brought by alleged sexual abuse victims of Dr. Strauss to proceed.
- As of October 2023, five lawsuits involving 236 men remained pending.
- University of Michigan Settlement: The firm achieved a class action settlement against the University of Michigan, resulting in landmark institutional reforms addressing on-campus sexual misconduct.
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Lawsuit: Sauder Schelkopf filed a lawsuit against Devereux, alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of children in their care. The firm is seeking compensatory and other damages for the victims.
- Glen Mills Schools Abuse Lawsuit: The firm is representing former students of The Glen Mills Schools, a now-closed detention center, in a class action lawsuit seeking damages for physical and sexual abuse suffered during their time there.
Through these and other cases, Sauder Schelkopf has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, achieving substantial financial settlements, and driving meaningful changes within institutions to prevent future misconduct.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual misconduct, you can confidentially contact the lawyers at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page or calling 888.711.9975