California's Adult Survivor Lookback Window Closes December 31, 2026 -- Six Months Left to File

Reviewed by Abuse Justice Center · Updated 2026-07-06

What California's AB 2777 Window Covers

California Assembly Bill 2777, which took effect January 1, 2023, created a three-year civil revival window running through December 31, 2026. During this period, adult survivors of sexual assault whose civil claims had previously been time-barred can bring those claims in California civil court. The window applies to survivors who were 18 or older at the time of the assault and whose original statute of limitations had expired before January 1, 2023. During the window, the fact that the original deadline passed cannot be used to dismiss the claim on limitations grounds.

The scope of the window is broad. It covers sexual assault claims against individual defendants and institutional defendants -- employers, universities, healthcare systems, religious organizations, entertainment companies, and any other entity whose employees, agents, or contractors committed or enabled the assault. Many of the largest civil settlements in recent California history have been driven by claims filed under AB 2777 and its predecessor lookback legislation for childhood abuse. With the adult survivor window now closing, survivors who have not yet consulted an attorney are running out of time.

California also enacted Assembly Bill 250, effective January 1, 2026, which opened a separate two-year window running through December 31, 2027 for adult survivors whose claims expired under a different set of limitation rules. The interaction between AB 2777 and AB 250 is a legal question that depends on the specific facts of a claim -- the date of the assault, the applicable prior limitation period, and how the two windows overlap. An attorney can assess which provision, or both, applies and can advise on the most strategically sound approach to filing.

Why Six Months Is Not as Much Time as It Sounds

Survivors who plan to consult an attorney in the fall of 2026 -- reasoning that December 31 gives them enough time -- are taking a significant risk. Civil case preparation is not a quick process. An initial consultation typically takes at least one meeting but often requires follow-up conversations to gather a full picture of the facts. After the consultation, the attorney must conduct an initial investigation: researching potential defendants, reviewing any available records, assessing the legal theories that apply, and evaluating the strength of the evidence. Only then can the attorney draft the complaint and file it before the deadline.

In complex institutional cases -- those involving employers, hospitals, or religious organizations -- investigation can take months. Records must be requested and reviewed. Former employees or witnesses may need to be located. Corporate structures must be researched to identify the correct legal entities to name as defendants. A case that begins the consultation process in October 2026 with a December 31 filing deadline may not have enough lead time to be prepared properly. Courts do not grant extensions to revived claims simply because the preparation took longer than expected.

Survivors who begin the consultation process now -- in July 2026 -- give themselves approximately five to six months of lead time. That is a realistic timeline for a thorough case evaluation and a well-prepared complaint. It also allows time to consult a second attorney if the first is not the right fit, to gather any records the survivor may have access to, and to make informed decisions about which claims to assert and against which defendants.

How to Start the Process Through Abuse Justice Center

Abuse Justice Center matches survivors with civil attorneys who focus specifically on sexual abuse claims, including claims under California's lookback windows. The matching is free, the initial consultation is confidential, and there is no obligation to retain anyone after speaking with an attorney. Member attorneys in the network typically work on contingency, which means no attorney fee is charged unless the attorney recovers on your behalf. The financial arrangement is designed to give survivors access to experienced legal representation regardless of their current financial situation.

When you connect through Abuse Justice Center, an intake specialist gathers basic information about your situation -- where the assault occurred, approximately when, whether an institution was involved, and what prior contact, if any, you have had with attorneys or law enforcement. This information is used to match you with attorneys in the network who have relevant experience. The initial call or meeting with the matched attorney is your opportunity to ask questions, understand your options, and decide whether to move forward.

If you are a California adult survivor who has never consulted a civil attorney about what happened to you, July 2026 is the last reasonable time to do so and still have a meaningful opportunity to file under AB 2777. After this date, the margin for error gets smaller with every week. The consultation is the first step. If you need support before or after making that call, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is available around the clock at 800-656-4673, free and confidential.

6 Types of Institutional Defendants Who May Be Liable Under AB 2777

California's lookback window applies to individual defendants and institutional defendants. Identifying the institutions involved is often where the most significant recoveries originate.

1. Employers and corporations: An employer who hired, retained, or failed to supervise an employee who committed sexual assault may bear liability for the harm that employee caused. California law imposes duties on employers to protect workers and third parties from foreseeable harm.
2. Healthcare systems and hospitals: Medical providers who abused patients, and healthcare institutions that employed them, have been defendants in some of the largest California lookback window cases. Professional licensing and institutional credentialing records can support these claims.
3. Religious organizations and dioceses: California's prior lookback statutes for childhood abuse drove hundreds of millions in institutional settlements from Catholic dioceses and other religious organizations. AB 2777 extends similar access to adult survivors.
4. Universities and colleges: Campus assault cases involving university employees, coaches, doctors, or other staff with institutional authority have produced major civil outcomes nationally. AB 2777 covers adult survivors of campus assault where the institution may have enabled or ignored the misconduct.
5. Entertainment industry companies: California's status as the entertainment industry's base has made it a venue for civil claims related to casting, production, and executive misconduct. Institutional defendants in the entertainment industry have faced civil litigation under California's lookback framework.
6. Government agencies and public institutions: Claims against government employers or public institutions may involve different procedural requirements, including government tort claim procedures, but they are not categorically barred under AB 2777. An attorney can assess the specific procedural steps required for a government-entity claim.

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