Schools and coaches
Abuse by teachers, coaches or staff, and schools that ignored warning signs.
Civil claims · McAllen, Texas
McAllen Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Te creemos
If you were sexually abused, as a child or as an adult, you may be able to bring a civil case against the person who hurt you and any school, church, employer or care facility that failed to protect you. Our McAllen sexual abuse lawyer listens in private, in English or Spanish. You decide what to share and when.
- Attorney Alex Martinez handles your case
- Hablamos español, 24/7 hotline
- 4.8 stars from 610 Google reviews
In the media
en los medios
What to expect when you call
- Your call is private.
- What you tell us stays between you and your legal team.
- You set the pace.
- You can stop, take a break or come back another day. You do not have to tell everything at once.
- You stay in control.
- You decide whether to file a claim. We explain the options, and the choice is yours.
- English or Spanish.
- Talk with us in the language you are most comfortable with.
If you need help right now
- In danger right now
- 911 Call 911 for emergency help.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
- 800-656-4673 Free, confidential support, 24/7. You can also text HOPE to 64673.
- Texas Abuse Hotline (DFPS)
- 1-800-252-5400 24/7, to report abuse of a child, an adult 65 or older, or an adult with a disability.
These services are independent of Alex Martinez Law. Sources: rainn.org, dfps.texas.gov
Understanding the claim
What a civil sexual abuse claim is
A civil claim is a case you bring yourself, to recover money for the harm the abuse caused: counseling, medical care, lost income and the emotional injury. It can name the person who abused you and any organization that knew, or should have known, and did not act.
Our sexual abuse attorney handles the civil claim. It is separate from any police investigation or criminal case, and we can talk with you about both.
When you feel ready. Some deadlines are long, but records and witnesses are easier to find sooner.
| Criminal case | Civil claim | |
|---|---|---|
| Who brings it | The State, through the district attorney | You, the survivor, with your own lawyer |
| The goal | To punish the abuser | Money for your losses, from the abuser and any organization that failed to protect you |
| Your role | You may be a witness. The prosecutor decides what happens | You decide whether to file, and whether to accept a settlement |
Why Alex Martinez Law
Why survivors call us
aquí te escuchamos
Your attorney handles the case.
Alex Martinez, licensed in Texas and admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, works with you directly.
Ready for large organizations.
Adrian Martinez, of counsel, has more than 40 years in civil litigation, including jury trials.
Privacy at every step.
We ask how and when it is safe to contact you, and we keep to it.
In your language.
We talk with you in English or Spanish, and we explain each step before it happens.
Fees only from a recovery.
You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. Case costs, such as filing fees and records, are explained in writing before you sign.
How we handle it
How we handle a sexual abuse case
Who works your case
Alex Martinez speaks with you first, at your pace. He looks at what happened, who knew, which organizations were responsible for supervision and which deadlines apply. He works with Adrian Martinez, a trial lawyer with 40+ years in civil litigation.
What we look for
- Prior complaints or reports about the abuser
- Background checks, hiring and supervision records
- The organization's policies and training
- Police, CPS and school reports
- Messages, photos and witness accounts
- Medical and counseling records, only with your permission
What to bring
You do not need documents to start. A conversation is enough.
- Only what you feel ready to share
- Names, places and approximate dates
- Any reports you made, and to whom
- Letters or messages from the organization
- Names of people who may know what happened
Cases we handle
Where abuse cases arise
Churches and religious groups
Abuse by clergy, staff or volunteers, and the groups that kept them in place.
Employers and workplaces
Abuse by a supervisor or coworker, and employers that failed to act on complaints.
Care facilities
Nursing homes, group homes, hospitals and treatment centers that failed to protect residents or patients.
Youth programs and camps
Sports leagues, camps, daycare and after-school programs.
Abuse by someone you know
Claims against a family member, partner or acquaintance, separate from any criminal case.
Texas law
How long do you have to file a sexual abuse claim in Texas?
It depends on the abuse. For sexual abuse of a child, Texas allows 30 years, and the time usually does not count until the survivor turns 18. For sexual assault of an adult, the limit is five years (CPRC 16.0045). Claims against organizations can raise other deadline questions, so ask early.
General information, not legal advice. Exceptions apply — ask us about your own dates.
30 yrs
for sexual abuse of a child, including sexual assault of a child, continuous abuse and indecency with a child.
5 yrs
for sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault of an adult, and most adult trafficking claims.
John Doe
If you do not know the abuser's name, a lawsuit against John or Jane Doe pauses the deadline while the person is identified.
Claims against public schools and agencies follow different rules: the Texas Tort Claims Act does not cover assault or other intentional acts (CPRC 101.057).
Step by step
What happens after you call
Right now: if you are safe, keep any messages, photos or letters. You do not need to organize anything before you call.
-
01When you are ready
A private first conversation
You choose phone, WhatsApp, video or our office. Share only what you are ready to share.
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02First weeks
Review and deadlines
We check which deadlines apply, whether there is a criminal case and who may be responsible.
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03First months
Investigation
We gather records from the organization and look for prior complaints, with your consent.
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04Months
Claim or lawsuit
Before anything is filed, we talk with you about protecting your privacy. Then we present the claim or file suit.
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05Often a year or more
Settlement or trial
The case ends with a settlement or a verdict. You decide whether to accept any settlement.
Fees and consultation
What a case review costs
You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
Case costs, such as filing fees and records, are explained in writing before you sign.
Right now: if you are safe, keep any messages, photos or letters. You do not need to organize anything before you call.
The case review is free and private. You can call, send a WhatsApp message or use the private form.
We explain any case costs, and how they are handled, before you sign anything.
Your attorney
Alex Martinez
J.D., Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Licensed in Texas, admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Works with Adrian Martinez, of counsel, a trial lawyer with 40+ years in civil litigation.
Reviewed by Alex Martinez, State Bar of Texas
Questions
Sexual abuse claim questions
Do I need a police report or a conviction to bring a civil case?
No. A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It can go forward whether or not there was an arrest or a trial, although a police report can help. We can talk with you about both.
Will my name be made public?
We talk with you about privacy before anything is filed, and we explain the steps that may help keep your name and details out of public view. You decide whether to go ahead once you know the options.
What if the abuse happened many years ago?
You may still have time. For sexual abuse of a child, Texas allows 30 years, and the clock usually does not start until age 18 (CPRC 16.0045, 16.001). For an adult, the limit is usually five years. Call us to check the dates in your situation.
Can I bring a claim against a school, church or employer?
Often, yes, when the organization knew or should have known of the danger and did not act, for example by ignoring complaints or skipping background checks. Claims against public schools and agencies follow different rules, which we check first.
What if I don't know the abuser's full name?
You can still act. Texas lets a survivor file against John or Jane Doe, which pauses the deadline while the person is identified (CPRC 16.0045(d)). The real name must then be added within 30 days of learning it.
Injury help across South Texas
Offices in McAllen and Brownsville. Phone and video consultations anywhere in the Valley.
When you are ready, we are here.
Call, send a WhatsApp message or use the private form. English or Spanish.