NEW YORK — A New York law that temporarily lifts the statute of limitations on civil sexual-abuse and harassment claims has sparked a flurry of activity just two weeks after taking effect — a warning sign for Wall Street banks and other employers that victims from decades earlier are on the hunt for justice.
Hundreds of alleged victims have sought legal advice in recent days and companies are calling outside attorneys to prepare for potential claims, according to interviews with a dozen lawyers from across the U.S. Lawsuits have already been filed against former President Donald Trump, comedian Bill Cosby and billionaire Leon Black over allegations they assaulted women decades ago, which their lawyers deny.
The claims are tied to the Adult Survivors Act, which took effect Nov. 24 and gives those making accusations of past assaults one year to seek financial compensation from alleged offenders and employers who may have harbored them, no matter how long ago the incident occurred. It aims to fill a gap left by 2019 legislation that extended New York’s statute of limitations on sex-abuse claims to 20 years from just one year, but not retroactively.
