Sex Trafficking Survivors: Your Right to a Civil Claim
Federal law gives survivors of sex trafficking the right to sue the people who trafficked them and, in many cases, businesses that profited while looking the other way, such as hotels and motels. The claim is separate from any criminal case and has a long filing window. This guide explains who can be held responsible, how long you have, and how to get help safely and confidentially.
What happens when you reach out
- You tell us what happenedSend the short form or call. It takes about a minute, and you share only what you are comfortable with.
- A claim specialist reviews itWe look at your deadlines, the insurer or agency involved, and the records your claim will need.
- We call you backUsually the same day, to explain your options. There is no cost and no obligation.
Prefer to talk now? Call (833) 333-0905 or text 954-933-5065.
Reach out on your terms
Share only what you are comfortable with, and use a phone number and email that are safe for you. A claim specialist calls back privately.
Legal Lawsuit is not a law firm. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
On this page
The federal right to sue
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act lets a victim of trafficking bring a civil action in federal court against the perpetrator, and against whoever knowingly benefits financially or by receiving anything of value from participating in a venture that they knew or should have known was engaged in trafficking. A survivor can recover damages and reasonable attorney's fees (18 U.S.C. §1595(a)).
A civil claim does not depend on criminal charges, and it is decided by the civil standard of proof. It can pay for counseling, medical care, lost income and the harm itself.
Who can be held responsible
Anyone who recruited, harbored, transported, advertised or profited directly from the trafficking.
Hotels and motels, massage businesses, online platforms and others that took part in a venture and knew or should have known about the trafficking.
Some states add their own civil claims; Florida, for example, has one against adult theaters that knowingly let a trafficking victim work there.
Claims against hotels and their franchisors have been filed in many federal courts. Courts look closely at whether the business actually took part in a venture with the traffickers; in a leading 2021 decision, the Eleventh Circuit held that plaintiffs must show franchisors "took part in a common undertaking or enterprise involving risk and potential profit" (American Bar Association). That is why details such as where you were kept, how rooms were paid for and what staff saw matter.
How long you have
| Claim | Time limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Federal claim (TVPRA) | The later of 10 years after the claim arose, or 10 years after the survivor turns 18 if the trafficking happened when they were a minor | 18 U.S.C. §1595(c) |
| Florida civil claim, survivor under 16 | Any time, unless the claim was already barred before July 1, 2010 | Fla. Stat. §95.11(10) |
| Florida civil claim, other survivors | Up to 7 years after turning 18, 4 years after leaving the abuser's control, or 4 years after discovering the injury and its link to the abuse, whichever is later | Fla. Stat. §95.11(8), §787.061(4) |
Other states have their own trafficking and abuse statutes. A review can check every claim that may still be open.
Steps toward a claim
Get safe first
Nothing about a claim needs to happen before you are safe. The hotline can help with shelter, transport and a safety plan.
Get care
Medical care and counseling help you recover and create records of what the trafficking cost you.
Write down what you can
Places, hotels and addresses, dates or seasons, names or nicknames, phone numbers and online ads. Gaps are normal; write what you remember.
Keep what exists
Messages, photos, receipts, ads and social media accounts can show who was involved and which businesses were used.
Have the claim reviewed
A review identifies who can be held responsible, including businesses, and which deadlines apply.
Safety and privacy
Survivors often worry about being found by the people who trafficked them, about records, and about immigration status. Courts in many places allow trafficking and abuse survivors to file under a pseudonym, and settlement terms are often confidential. Federal law also provides immigration protections for some trafficking survivors; an immigration attorney or the hotline can explain them.
When you contact us, use a phone and email account that only you can access, and tell us the safest time to call.
Common questions
Do I have to testify against my trafficker in a criminal case?
No. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case, and you do not need a conviction or a police report to bring one.
What if I was told I "agreed" or was paid?
Force, fraud or coercion can make it trafficking even if you were told you agreed, and any commercial sex involving a minor is trafficking under federal law regardless of consent.
Can I bring a claim if it happened years ago?
Often, yes. The federal deadline runs 10 years, and longer for survivors who were minors. State rules may give more time.
Is the claim review confidential?
Yes. It is free and private, and nothing is shared without your permission. See also our sexual abuse claims guide.
You do not have to figure this out alone
Call (833) 333-0905, or send the short form when it is safe to do so. A claim specialist will explain your options without pressure.
Legal Lawsuit is an information and claim-review service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Time limits vary by state and change over time; confirm what applies to you with a licensed attorney. Legal Lawsuit and TortAdvisor are under common ownership.
