Stage by stage
-
First conversation
Free and confidential. Nothing is filed and nothing is public. You are not asked to describe
the abuse in detail at this point. -
Investigation
Identifying the responsible institution, locating records and assessing whether a claim is
viable. Weeks to months, and still nothing is public. -
Filing
The complaint is filed and the defendant served. This is when the claim becomes public, and
when identity protections are addressed, before, not after. -
Discovery
Documents exchanged, depositions taken. Usually the longest phase, and where institutional
records surface. -
Resolution
Most cases settle, often after mediation. Some are tried.
What a deposition actually involves
Answering questions under oath, with the other side’s lawyer present, usually in an office
rather than a courtroom. You are prepared for it beforehand and your own lawyer is with you
throughout. It is the part most survivors are most anxious about, and knowing what it is tends to
help more than being reassured about it.
Timescales, honestly
A year is fast. Two or more is common, particularly where an institution litigates hard or a
bankruptcy is involved. Anyone offering a firm timetable at the first call is guessing.
Time limits in New York depend on how old you were, who was responsible and the particular facts. There is no single deadline that applies to everyone. Ask rather than assume. It is a free call.
At what point does my name become public?
At filing, not before. That is precisely why identity protection is addressed before anything is filed rather than afterwards.
How many times will I have to tell my account?
Fewer times than people fear, but more than once: to your own lawyer, and usually in a deposition. You are prepared beforehand, and you are not asked to repeat it gratuitously.
Can the case pause if I cannot cope with it?
There is real flexibility in practice, and it is a normal thing to ask for. Court deadlines exist, but they are managed by your lawyers rather than left on you.