Maine Civil Filing Deadlines (Statutes of Limitations) for Abuse Lawsuits

If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse in Maine, you deserve clarity about your legal options without confusing jargon or mixed signals. The Maine statutes of limitations for filing abuse lawsuits have shifted in recent years, especially for people who were abused as children, and a 2025 state supreme court decision also affected how “old” cases can be filed.

This guide explains, in plain English, how the filing deadlines (statutes of limitations) work now, what “no time limit” really means in Maine, and what special rules might shorten the timeline when a government agency is involved. Our goal is to give you practical, survivor-centered information so you can make an informed decision about your possible next steps.

Key Takeaways About Maine Filing Deadlines for Sexual Abuse Cases

Childhood sexual abuse (civil cases): Maine law says lawsuits based on sexual acts toward minors may be filed at any time with no deadline. However, in January 2025, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled the Legislature cannot revive claims that were already time-barred before the 2021 change. Practically, many survivors still have no deadline going forward, but some older, previously expired claims cannot be revived.
Adult sexual abuse (the survivor was 18+ years old): Most civil claims by adults follow Maine’s general six-year statute of limitations, measured from when the claim “accrues.” Certain doctrines can extend or pause the clock in limited situations, but these are case-specific.
Claims against government entities (schools, agencies, municipalities): Separate rules apply under the Maine Tort Claims Act (MTCA). Survivors generally must (1) send written notice within a 365-day window and (2) file suit within two years. These requirements can apply even if a child abuse claim against a private defendant is considered to have “no time limit.”
Institutional liability: Survivors can often sue both the abuser and an institution (employer, school, church, youth organization) whose negligence enabled the abuse. The same basic deadlines apply, but government defendants have the special, shorter MTCA deadlines.
Don’t wait to get advice: Even in “no time limit” situations, acting as soon as possible helps preserve evidence, identify additional defendants, and avoid special notice traps (especially for claims involving government entities).

Who Can Be Named in an Abuse Lawsuit and What Counts as Abuse?

Civil sexual-abuse lawsuits are about accountability and compensation for losses such as medical costs, therapy, lost income, and pain and suffering. In Maine, a lawsuit can be brought against:

The person who committed the abuse, and/or
An institution that enabled it (for example, an entity accused of negligent hiring/supervision, failure to report, or a cover-up.

For child cases, Maine’s “sexual acts toward minors” category includes a range of conduct, including gross sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, unlawful sexual contact or touching, sexual exploitation, and incest. You do not have to pinpoint which exact incident caused which injury when abuse occurred as part of a pattern; the law recognizes that trauma often unfolds over time.

Maine’s Abuse Filing Deadlines at a Glance

Childhood Sexual Abuse (survivor was under 18 when abused)

Default rule: No deadline. Current Maine law states that civil actions based on sexual acts toward minors may be brought at any time. This reflects a modern understanding that many child survivors delay disclosure for years due to trauma, fear, grooming, or power imbalances.

Important 2025 update: Maine’s highest court held that the Legislature cannot revive claims that were already expired under the prior law. What this means:

If your claim was still viable (not yet time-barred) when Maine removed the deadline in 2021—or if the abuse occurred after that change—you can file at any time.
If your claim had already expired under the older statute before the 2021 change, that revival provision is unconstitutional, and you generally cannot rely on the 2021 law to reopen it.

What this means for you: The safest approach is to talk through your specific timeline with a lawyer who can analyze whether your claim was “viable” in 2021 (or later) and whether any tolling doctrines apply to you. Even with “no deadline” in many scenarios, earlier action nearly always strengthens a case.

Adult Sexual Abuse (abuse occurred at age 18 or older)

General deadline: Six years from when the claim accrues. Maine’s catch-all civil statute says most actions must be started within six years, unless another statute sets a different period. For adult sexual-assault civil claims (battery/assault and related negligence theories), this six-year rule typically governs.

Discovery and tolling: Maine law provides narrow opportunities to extend or pause the six-year clock:

Fraudulent concealment: If a defendant fraudulently concealed the cause of action, a survivor may have six years from discovery of the concealment to sue. This tool can matter where an institution hid records or lied about an abuser’s history.

Disability at accrual (minors/mental illness/imprisonment/out of the U.S.): If a person had certain legal disabilities when the claim accrued, the clock may not start until the disability is removed. This is less common in adult-on-adult cases, but it can apply in some circumstances.

Bottom line for adults: Six years is generous compared to many states, but it is not unlimited. If you’re unsure when your claim “accrued,” or whether concealment delayed your discovery, get a legal review quickly.

Special Rules for Abuse Claims Involving Government Entities

Survivors sometimes have claims against public schools, municipalities, state agencies, or other governmental bodies. The Maine Tort Claims Act (MTCA) imposes two extra hurdles:

Written Notice: You or your attorney must send a written notice of claim to the government entity within 365 days after the claim accrues (a court can forgive lateness for “good cause,” but do not count on it).
Two-Year Filing Deadline: The lawsuit itself generally must be filed within two years after the claim accrues (with a limited extension when the claimant was a minor—two years after turning 18).

Why it matters: These MTCA deadlines can override the generous timelines that might otherwise apply in private-defendant cases. If a public school or other government entity may be responsible, speak with counsel right away to preserve your rights.

How the 2025 Court Decision Affects Survivors of Childhood Abuse

Maine’s Legislature eliminated the time limit for child-abuse civil suits, and in 2021 added language stating that the “no limitation” rule applied regardless of whether an older statute had already made a claim time-barred. In January 2025, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that reviving expired claims violates the state Constitution’s protections. The Court’s decision:

Does not eliminate the no-deadline rule for child-abuse claims going forward.
Eliminates the ability to reopen claims that were already expired when the Legislature acted in 2021.

If you’re unsure whether your claim was time-barred before 2021, an attorney can compare your timeline with the prior statutes and tolling rules and give you a straightforward answer.

Can I Pursue Institutional Liability Against Churches, Schools, Youth Organizations, and Employers?

Maine’s civil law allows survivors to seek accountability not only from the abuser but also from institutions that hired, supervised, or protected the abuser, or that failed to report or concealed abuse. These claims often include negligence, negligent hiring/supervision, breach of fiduciary duty, or negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Strategic pleading can matter, especially if different deadlines might apply to different theories or defendants. When an institution is public (for example, a public school district), the MTCA notice and two-year deadline can apply; when an institution is private, the ordinary rules govern.

What If the Abuser Has Died—or Was Convicted Criminally?

If the abuser has died: You may still have claims against responsible institutions. Timing and proof issues become more complex, so gather what you can (journals, emails, therapy records, names of witnesses) and get legal advice promptly.
If the abuser was convicted of a related crime: A criminal conviction can sometimes simplify proof in a civil case (for example, through issue preclusion or use of certified records), but a conviction is not required to bring a civil claim. Maine law does not create a special civil filing deadline based solely on a conviction date; the civil timelines discussed above apply.

Practical Next Steps for Survivors

Write down your timeline. Even a rough chronology (who, where, when) helps a lawyer quickly evaluate deadlines.
Preserve evidence. Save texts, emails, photos, social posts, calendars, and any reports you made to schools, clergy, HR, or law enforcement.
Identify possible institutions. Think about organizations that had authority over the abuser or the setting, such as schools, churches, youth groups, employers, or property owners.
Consider the MTCA clock. If a public entity may be at fault, act quickly to meet the notice and two-year requirements.
Talk to a trauma-informed attorney. Many firms offer free confidential consultations and can evaluate your claim without any pressure.

If my childhood-abuse claim was time-barred years ago, can I file now that Maine says “no limitation”?

Not if your claim had already expired under the old law. In 2025, Maine’s highest court said the state cannot revive expired claims. But if your claim was still alive in 2021—or the abuse occurred after the change—you may still have no deadline to file. A lawyer can analyze your exact dates.

I’m an adult survivor of a recent assault. Do I really have six years?

In most adult-on-adult civil cases, yes—Maine’s general statute gives six years from accrual. That said, figuring out when a claim “accrues” can be nuanced, and unique facts, such as concealment by an institution, can alter timing.

What if a public school failed to protect me from abuse?

Claims against government entities have extra steps: a written notice within 365 days of accrual (sometimes excused for good cause) and a two-year deadline to sue. These are separate from the “no deadline” rule for private defendants in child-abuse cases. Missing MTCA notice requirements or the two-year limit can ruin a case, so act fast.

I don’t have every detail or document. Do I still have a case?

Possibly. Lawyers can help investigate and gather records. Early outreach protects your rights and prevents avoidable deadline issues—especially for government-related claims.

Non-Legal Maine Abuse Survivor Resources

Maine Sexual Assault Support Hotline (24/7) – Confidential, statewide advocacy and crisis support. Call 1-800-871-7741.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance (Victim Rights Unit) – Free civil legal help for survivors (protective orders, housing, benefits, safety planning in civil matters).

Maine Crime Victims’ Compensation Program (Office of the Attorney General) – Financial help for counseling, medical bills, lost wages, and other crime-related expenses.

Report Child Abuse/Neglect (Maine DHHS OCFS) – 24/7 child protection reporting line: 1-800-452-1999 (use 711 Maine Relay if needed). For domestic-violence-related safety, the statewide DV helpline is 1-866-834-HELP (4357).

How the Team at File Abuse Lawsuit Can Help With Your Maine Abuse Claim

If you’re considering legal action—or just want to know your options—our team offers free, confidential, trauma-informed guidance tailored to Maine’s law right now.

Call or reach out online to speak with a compassionate advocate.
We listen first, then explain your options in everyday language.
If we can help, we’ll map out a plan to meet any deadlines (including MTCA notice where needed) and pursue accountability against every responsible party.

Why survivors choose us

Survivor-focused: Your safety, privacy, and control come first.
State-specific strategy: We track Maine’s evolving rules—including the 2025 ruling—so your case plan fits the current law.
Full-scope accountability: We pursue claims against abusers and enabling institutions, public or private, and manage the different timelines each path may require.

Ready to talk? Call (209) 283-2205 for a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation—just clear answers and a path forward.