Utah Filing Deadlines (Statutes of Limitations) for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Survivors in Utah deserve clear, practical answers about how long they have to file a civil lawsuit after experiencing sexual abuse. Utah’s sexual abuse filing deadlines are different depending on whether the abuse happened in childhood or adulthood, whether you’re suing the perpetrator or someone else who allowed the abuse, and whether a public school or government entity is involved.

In this guide, we’ll break it all down in plain English, so you can make informed decisions and protect your right to take action. If you’re unsure which deadline applies to you, speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Deadlines can be unforgiving, and missing one can end a case before it begins.

No time limit to sue the perpetrator for child sexual abuse. Utah law lets a survivor file a civil case at any time against the perpetrator for abuse suffered as a child.
Claims against non-perpetrators for child abuse have deadlines. Suits against others (for example, a person or institution who negligently allowed abuse) generally must be filed by age 22 (four years after turning 18) or, after turning 18, the survivor must file within four years of discovering the connection between the abuse and their injuries—whichever is later.
Previously expired child-abuse claims are generally not revived. Utah’s highest court ruled that the Legislature cannot retroactively reopen claims that were already time-barred; there is no broad lookback window in effect.
Adult-on-adult abuse claims usually have a four-year limit. Most civil claims for injuries in Utah, including many sexual assault claims involving adults, are governed by a four-year statute of limitations unless a more specific rule applies.
Special rules apply when a public school or government entity is involved. You typically must file a formal notice of claim within one year, and some school cases have special waiver rules that depend on employee charges and district training policies.
Utah’s “discovery rule” can extend some deadlines—but it’s limited. For child-abuse claims against non-perpetrators, the statute expressly allows filing within four years of discovery after age 18. Other discovery-based extensions are narrow and fact-specific.

Breaking Down Utah’s Filing Rules: Who Can You Sue, and When?

Childhood sexual abuse (abuse before the survivor is age 18)

1) Claims against the perpetrator (the abuser)

Utah gives survivors maximum flexibility here: a civil lawsuit can be filed at any time, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. There is no statute of limitations for these direct perpetrator claims arising from child sexual abuse.

Practical impact: If your claim is against the person who abused you when you were a child, you are not blocked by a filing deadline. Your case can focus on proof and accountability rather than timing.

2) Claims against non-perpetrators (people or entities whose actions or inaction allowed abuse)

Utah law sets a separate schedule when the defendant is not the abuser but allegedly allowed or failed to prevent the abuse (for example, a school or church that knew or should have known about the abuse).

You have four years after turning 18 (until your 22nd birthday) or
Four years from the discovery of the abuse and its causal connection to your injuries after turning 18,
Whichever period ends later.

“Discovery” means when a survivor knows or reasonably should know that the injury or illness (including psychological harm) was caused by the abuse. This discovery-based extension is written directly into Utah’s child-abuse statute for non-perpetrator claims.

Important note about defendants: The child-abuse statute’s text allows suit only against living individuals in this section. Claims against institutions (churches, camps, youth programs, treatment centers, etc.) may proceed under other legal theories, but you won’t rely on this particular section for suing the organization itself. We’ll discuss suing institutions and public entities below for more on timing and special procedures.

3) What about “revival windows” for old, expired child-abuse claims?

Some states have opened temporary lookback windows that allow survivors to sue even if their claims had expired under old laws. Utah does not currently have a broad, operative lookback window.

Although the Legislature attempted to revive previously time-barred child-abuse claims several years ago, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution does not allow retroactively reopening claims where a defendant already has a vested statute-of-limitations defense.

In plain terms: if your claim was already time-barred under prior law, Utah courts generally won’t let a new statute bring it back to life.

Adult sexual abuse (abuse occurring at age 18 or older)

When the survivor was an adult at the time of the assault, Utah’s general civil-injury deadline usually applies. This law allows a survivor four years from the incident to file a lawsuit, unless a more specific statute applies.

Utah recognizes a limited “discovery rule” in certain contexts, but it’s not automatic for every claim. Courts apply it cautiously and look closely at whether a survivor could not reasonably have discovered the injury or its cause earlier.
Health-care-related claims and a few other categories have their own special rules. If your civil claim intersects with medical providers, employers, or other regulated settings, different deadlines or caps may apply.

Bottom line for adults: Act as quickly as possible, and get tailored legal advice to avoid running out of time.

Suing institutions and public entities

Private institutions (churches, youth organizations, treatment centers, camps)

If the defendant is a private organization, Utah’s child-abuse statute (which has no deadline against perpetrators and specific rules for non-perpetrators) does not expressly create claims against institutions.

Survivors often bring claims under negligence, negligent hiring/supervision, failure to protect, or related theories. Unless a specific statute sets a different period, Utah’s general four-year limitations period typically governs these civil injury claims.

Strategic note: Institutional cases can involve additional hurdles, including insurance coverage issues, internal policies, and proof that leaders knew or should have known about the abuse. Starting early helps your team secure records, identify witnesses, and preserve evidence to support your claim.

Public schools and government entities (including school districts)

If your claim involves a public school, state agency, or local government, Utah’s Governmental Immunity Act adds two critical layers:

Notice of claim within one year. Before suing, you must file a formal notice of claim with the correct government office within one year after the claim arises. If you miss this step or the notification deadline, your claim is usually barred.
Short litigation clock after denial. Once the government denies the claim (or a set time passes without action), you have a limited window to file a lawsuit in district court—often one year from denial. Do not wait; these timelines can be confusing and unforgiving.

Utah law also includes a targeted waiver of immunity for certain public-school abuse scenarios. In some cases, survivors may sue a school district for sexual abuse by a paid employee who is criminally charged, unless the district proves it had implemented required conduct policies and training. This is a narrow, fact-specific path, so your attorney must evaluate whether it helps your case.

What is the “Discovery Rule” in Utah (and How it Helps)

“Discovery” rules can extend filing deadlines when a survivor did not and could not reasonably understand the connection between abuse and later injuries until much later. This is something that’s common when someone experiences trauma.

Utah’s child-abuse statute expressly builds in a four-year-from-discovery period after age 18 for non-perpetrator claims.
For other types of claims (including many adult claims), Utah courts recognize discovery principles in limited circumstances. Whether the rule applies depends on facts showing why the harm or its cause wasn’t knowable earlier, not just that the survivor waited to come forward.

Because these rules are nuanced, talk with a dedicated abuse lawyer as soon as you recognize the abuse’s impact. Even if you’re not ready to file immediately, a legal team can help track deadlines and preserve your options.

Can I file if the abuser has died?

Utah’s child-abuse statute limits lawsuits to living individuals. If the perpetrator has passed away, your attorney can explore other avenues, including claims against institutions that enabled the abuse (where available) or estate-related claims when supported by different laws. These cases are highly fact-dependent; move quickly so your team can review records and timelines.

Miscellaneous Issues That May Arise in Sexual Abuse Cases

If you survived ongoing abuse, you don’t have to pick a single incident in a continuing pattern of abuse to file a claim. Utah law allows survivors to compute discovery from the last act in a common scheme or plan by the same perpetrator.
Mental-health injuries count. Psychological harm is equally recognized in Utah’s child-abuse statute, and you can pursue compensation to cover psychological losses.
Confidentiality options may be available. Courts can tailor protective orders to safeguard sensitive records and the survivor’s privacy. Ask your lawyer about strategies that balance proof with dignity.
Institutions and insurers will fight deadlines. Expect the defense to challenge timeliness aggressively. Your attorney will rely on statutes, case law, and evidence to show why your claim is timely (or fits a discovery-rule path) and to defeat immunity defenses where possible.

How to protect your rights right now

Write down what you remember. Dates, locations, names, witnesses, and even approximate details can help your legal team test deadlines.
Preserve records. Keep therapy notes, texts, emails, school or church communications, calendars, medical visits, and photographs in a safe place.
Talk to an attorney early. The one-year notice requirement can expire fast, especially if a public school or government program is involved.
Don’t assume you’re out of time. Utah’s law gives unlimited time to sue perpetrators for child abuse, and discovery rules can expand certain deadlines. A quick consult can confirm next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Filing Deadlines

I was abused as a child in Utah decades ago. Can I still sue the abuser?

Yes. Utah allows survivors to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator of child sexual abuse at any time, no matter how long it’s been.

My abuse happened in a Utah public school. What makes those cases different?

Claims against government entities (like school districts) require a formal notice of claim within one year and have additional timing rules after denial. There’s also a narrow waiver that may allow a lawsuit when a paid employee is criminally charged, but the details matter. Speak with an attorney quickly so no deadline is missed.

The abuser is deceased. Can I sue the organization that enabled the abuse instead?

Often, yes, survivors pursue claims against institutions (churches, camps, youth programs, treatment centers) for negligent hiring, supervision, or failure to protect. These claims are usually brought under Utah’s general four-year civil-injury statute unless a specific rule applies. These are complex cases; evidence collection and early legal strategy are key.

I didn’t understand the abuse’s impact until recently. Does that extend my time?

For child-abuse claims against non-perpetrators, Utah’s statute gives you four years from discovery after age 18. For other claim types, Utah courts sometimes apply a discovery rule, but it’s not automatic and depends on why the harm wasn’t reasonably knowable earlier. Get legal advice tailored to your facts.

When should I contact a lawyer if I’m thinking about filing?

As soon as you’re able. Some deadlines (especially government-related claims) come up quickly, and even longer deadlines benefit from early evidence preservation. A consult doesn’t force you to sue, it simply safeguards your options.

At File Abuse Lawsuit, You’ll Find Compassionate, Confidential Help On Your Timeline

You deserve to be heard when you’re ready. The File Abuse Lawsuit team represents survivors across the U.S. and understands Utah’s unique filing rules. We’ll listen, explain your options, and protect your privacy while we work to hold abusers and enabling institutions accountable.

Call (209) 283-2205 for a free, confidential consultation. There’s no obligation, and we only move forward if and when you’re ready.