Maryland Sexual Assault Case Status
- As of 2024, numerous sexual assault claims have been filed across Maryland following legislative changes that expanded victims' rights to seek justice, even for historical cases.
- Maryland circuit courts are handling a growing number of cases involving institutional abuse, workplace assaults, and unresolved criminal complaints.
- The first trials are being scheduled involving allegations of third-degree and fourth-degree sexual offenses under Maryland law, addressing physical, emotional, and psychological damages.
- Attorneys are continuing to investigate and file new claims for survivors impacted by sexual assault, including those facing mental health challenges, loss of income, or personal trauma.
2024 Maryland Sexual Assault Legal Updates
March 14, 2024 Update: Plaintiffs requested the inclusion of psychological trauma and long-term therapy costs in the second phase of bellwether trials for institutional abuse cases.
January 2, 2024 Update: A case management order was issued to begin a 24-week discovery period for selected claims, involving exchange of therapy records, witness depositions, and institutional documentation.
December 19, 2023 Update: Judges have directed parties to establish procedures for evaluating emotional distress claims and to begin pretrial interviews with survivors of third- and fourth-degree sexual assault.
May 5, 2023 Update: Courts selected an initial group of 28 cases for early trial, including claims involving trauma, delayed reporting, and institutional negligence related to sexual abuse incidents.
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2022 Maryland Sexual Assault Case Developments
October 2022 Update: A landmark case involving abuse at a Maryland youth facility was chosen for trial to help assess how juries respond to institutional liability and survivor testimony in complex assault cases.
September 2022 Update: A Maryland judge rejected an effort by a private institution to dismiss sexual assault claims based on statute limitations, citing recent legislative changes removing such barriers for survivors. This ruling has allowed several delayed-reporting cases to proceed.
2024 Maryland Sexual Assault Settlement Updates
February 8, 2024 Update: In an official ruling issued on February 8, 2024, a Maryland judge granted final approval of a $1.2 billion sexual assault settlement involving multiple institutions and agencies accused of failing to protect victims or act on reports of misconduct. The settlement provides compensation to survivors for emotional trauma, therapy, and related damages.
June 23, 2023 Update: According to new legal filings, a $12.5 billion settlement has been reached with educational, religious, and youth service organizations in Maryland, resolving thousands of claims of abuse spanning several decades. These funds are earmarked for survivors seeking restitution for physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
January 10, 2021 Update: A class action lawsuit involving systemic abuse within a Maryland-based institution resulted in a $17.5 million settlement, providing survivors with compensation for medical expenses, counseling, and loss of quality of life due to institutional negligence and cover-ups.
Maryland Sexual Assault MDL
With the sharp rise in sexual assault litigation across Maryland—particularly following statute of limitations reforms—plaintiffs petitioned the courts to consolidate related cases for more efficient handling. In late 2023, a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) request was granted for sexual assault cases involving institutional defendants.
These cases have now been centralized under Maryland’s judiciary to streamline pretrial discovery and coordinate rulings, with special judges assigned to manage sensitive claims involving historical abuse and recent third- and fourth-degree offenses under Maryland law.
With thousands of pending claims as of 2024, a bellwether trial process has begun, selecting representative cases to proceed to early trials in order to gauge potential jury responses and guide future settlement discussions.
While verdicts in these bellwether trials are not binding on all cases, they will influence the direction and value of subsequent settlement offers to victims with similar allegations.
Sexual Assault Trauma and Mental Health Bellwether Trials
The first bellwether cases currently being prepared involve 28 representative claims that focus on:
- Institutional negligence (8)
- Emotional and psychological trauma (8)
- Delayed reporting and repressed memory (8)
- Medical and therapy-related damages (4)
Each case involves Maryland residents who allege serious harm as a result of either direct assault or systemic failures in schools, churches, or youth programs to prevent or report abuse.
Sexual Assault–Related PTSD and Mental Illness Trials
In March 2024, plaintiffs submitted a proposal urging that the second phase of bellwether trials should focus on long-term psychiatric impacts, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic anxiety and depression
Maryland Sexual Assault Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are The Defendants In These Cases?
Defendants in Maryland sexual assault lawsuits include private institutions, government agencies, educational facilities, religious organizations, and individuals in positions of authority who failed to prevent or report the abuse.
Who Qualifies To File A Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Any individual who has been sexually assaulted or abused—regardless of when the incident occurred—may now qualify under Maryland’s updated laws. This includes survivors of child sexual abuse, institutional abuse, and recent third- or fourth-degree assaults.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations?
As of 2023, Maryland has eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims involving child sexual abuse and extended filing deadlines for other sexual assault survivors. It is still recommended to act as soon as possible to preserve evidence and claim eligibility.
What Settlement Amounts Can Be Expected?
Settlement amounts vary depending on the nature and severity of the abuse, emotional and medical consequences, and the strength of the evidence. Some class action and institutional cases have resulted in multi-million dollar individual awards.
Who Can File a Maryland Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Survivors of sexual assault or abuse—whether recent or historical—may file a lawsuit against perpetrators and any organizations that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse. Legal guardians can also file on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.
