If you were sexually assaulted as an adult in California and your civil statute of limitations already expired, the AB 2777 window may be your last chance to file. It closes permanently on December 31, 2026. Here is what the law does, who qualifies, and what steps to take right now.
Reviewed by Abuse Justice Center · Updated 2026-07-07
California's AB 2777 window closes December 31, 2026. Adult survivors of sexual assault whose statute of limitations had already expired have a limited window remaining to pursue civil claims.
California's AB 2777, signed into law in 2022, opened a two-year revival window for adult survivors of sexual assault whose civil statute of limitations had already expired. The window runs through December 31, 2026. During this period, a survivor who was sexually assaulted as an adult — including workplace assault, institutional assault, and assault by a person in a position of trust or authority — can file a civil claim even if the prior deadline has already passed.
The law applies specifically to adult survivors. California's separate AB 218 framework, which abolished the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse civil claims entirely, covers a different category of survivor. If you were assaulted as a minor, the AB 218 framework generally applies. If you were assaulted as an adult and your prior civil deadline expired, AB 2777 is the relevant window, and it closes December 31, 2026.
The revival window reflects a recognition by the California legislature that the standard statute of limitations for adult sexual assault — typically three years from the date of the assault — failed many survivors. Trauma, power imbalances, fear of retaliation, and the psychological impact of assault all contribute to delayed reporting and delayed decisions to pursue civil action. AB 2777 created a limited second opportunity for survivors in this situation.
Five months remain before the AB 2777 window closes. That may feel like enough time, but civil claims require investigation, documentation, and legal preparation that take longer than most people expect. An attorney who takes your case needs time to evaluate the facts, identify the proper defendants, investigate the institutional context, and prepare the claim for filing. Starting in November or December leaves very little margin for unexpected delays.
Finding the right attorney also takes time. Not all personal injury attorneys have experience with civil sexual assault claims, the institutional liability theories relevant to AB 2777 cases, or the specific procedural requirements of the revival window. Seeking consultations with experienced attorneys now gives you the ability to evaluate your options and make an informed choice about representation without the pressure of an imminent deadline.
Once the AB 2777 window closes on December 31, 2026, it does not reopen. Claims that could have been filed during the window and were not filed become permanently time-barred under California law. The window exists because the legislature created it; when the legislative term ends, so does the access it provided.
The starting point for evaluating an AB 2777 claim is a confidential consultation with an attorney who handles civil sexual assault cases. The attorney will ask about the nature of the assault, when it occurred, who the responsible parties were, the institutional context if any, and what, if anything, was reported at the time. Based on those facts, the attorney can tell you whether AB 2777 covers your situation and what a civil claim might look like.
You do not need a prior police report to have an AB 2777 claim evaluated. The civil standard of proof is different from the criminal standard, and civil cases proceed independently of criminal prosecution decisions. Many survivors who were discouraged from reporting to law enforcement, or who did report and saw no prosecution result, still have viable civil claims that AB 2777 allows them to pursue.
The Abuse Justice Center is a lawyer-matching service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Initial consultations with attorneys in our network are free of charge, confidential, and contingency-only — no legal fee is charged unless a recovery is obtained. If you have questions about whether the AB 2777 window applies to your situation, the time to ask is now. Attorney advertising.
If you believe you may have a civil claim under California's AB 2777, these steps give you the best chance of acting before the December 31, 2026 deadline.
Abuse Justice Center is a lawyer-matching and advocacy service, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Matching and consultations are free, and network attorneys work on contingency. Need support now? The RAINN hotline is 800-656-4673, 24/7.
AB 2777 can apply to assault by individuals in institutional or employment contexts. The institutional liability question — whether the employer or institution is a defendant alongside the individual — depends on the specific facts. An attorney can evaluate whether the institution had notice, what duty it owed, and what theories of liability are viable.
If you experienced abuse both as a minor and as an adult, different legal frameworks may apply to each category of harm. California's AB 218 covers childhood abuse claims and has no deadline going forward. AB 2777 covers adult survivor claims and closes December 31, 2026. An attorney can assess how the facts of your situation interact with both frameworks.
If you settled a prior civil case and signed a release, that release generally resolves the claims covered by its terms. AB 2777 generally does not reopen claims that were previously settled. An attorney can review the specific language of a prior settlement to advise on whether any additional claims remain viable.
The Abuse Justice Center is a lawyer-matching service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Consultations with attorneys in our network are free of charge, confidential, and handled on a contingency-fee basis. Attorney advertising.