Yes, survivors in San Francisco can bring a civil lawsuit for money damages against the person who caused harm and, often, an institution that failed to protect them. These cases are usually filed in San Francisco Superior Court at 400 McAllister Street. California deadlines depend on the survivor's age and when the abuse happened, and they are often longer than people assume.
This page is for a survivor, or a family member helping them, trying to learn whether a civil claim is possible in San Francisco. Nothing here requires you to decide anything.
What a Civil Sexual Abuse Claim Means Under California Law
A civil claim is a lawsuit brought by the survivor, not by the government. It seeks money damages rather than a prison sentence. The survivor's side must prove the claim by a "preponderance of the evidence," meaning more likely true than not, a lower standard than "beyond a reasonable doubt" in criminal court. A civil case does not depend on a criminal case ever being filed. See our guide to civil vs. criminal cases.
A civil claim can address physical injury, psychological harm, economic losses such as therapy costs and lost income, and the dignitary harm of having been violated.
When someone in a position of trust, such as a teacher, coach, clergy member, foster parent or healthcare provider, abused a person, the organization behind them may also be named. Schools, churches, youth organizations, employers and healthcare facilities can be liable under theories such as negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention and failure to protect.
Where Sexual Abuse Cases Are Filed in San Francisco
San Francisco is both a city and a county, so one trial court serves the whole city. Civil sexual abuse claims under state law are generally filed in San Francisco Superior Court, at the civil courthouse at 400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. Most of these cases are handled as unlimited civil cases. Current filing fees and procedures are posted through the California Courts website and the San Francisco Superior Court site.
Some claims involve federal law, such as a Title IX claim against a school or a civil rights claim against a government actor. Those may be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Where a survivor lives now does not have to match where the case is filed, because venue usually follows where the conduct happened or where defendants are located.
When the defendant is a public entity, special rules apply. A childhood sexual abuse claim against a local public entity, such as a city, county or school district, generally does not have to be presented to that entity as a government claim before a lawsuit is filed. Claims against the State of California follow different rules. Claims involving a juvenile hall or probation setting are covered in our page on county probation abuse claims.
The Civil Case Process: From First Contact to Resolution
A first conversation with a lawyer is confidential. No police report, criminal case, documents or complete account is needed.
If a case moves forward, the legal team gathers records, identifies who may be responsible, and preserves evidence. The case formally begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on each defendant. California allows some survivors to proceed without their full name in public filings.
Next comes discovery: written questions, document requests and depositions, which are recorded interviews under oath, usually held in a law office. Most civil cases resolve through settlement before trial; a trial remains available if a fair agreement is not reached.
Many California attorneys who handle these cases work on a contingency fee, meaning the fee is a share of any recovery. Fee terms are set out in a written agreement.