If you or someone you love was sexually abused, you do not have to carry it alone. At Ryan, Miller & Coburn Trial Attorneys, we represent survivors of sexual abuse in Missoula and surrounding areas in civil claims against abusers and the institutions that failed to stop them. Your conversation with us is confidential, and you decide what happens next.
You Will Be Believed. You Will Be Heard.
What Happened Was Not Your Fault, and You Get to Decide What Comes Next.
Reaching out can feel like the hardest step, and there is no right time or right way to do it. At Ryan, Miller & Coburn, our Missoula team listens with care, moves at your pace, and treats your story with the respect it deserves. When you’re ready, we’re here.
Schedule A Free ConsultationSupport That Starts With Listening
Telling your story is hard, especially to a stranger. We go at your pace, explain every step in plain language, and never pressure you to share more than you are ready to. Our job is to handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing.
Working With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Missoula: What Survivors Should Know
A sexual abuse lawyer in Missoula can help survivors and their families pursue accountability through a civil case while protecting their privacy and well-being. Here are a few things to understand as you consider your options.
Key Takeaways
- Civil claims cover many forms of abuse. Ryan, Miller & Coburn represents survivors of child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, and abuse that took place within an institution or organization.
- Accountability can reach beyond the abuser. Organizations and institutions may be held responsible when they fail to protect people from abuse by their employees or representatives.
- A civil case seeks compensation for the harm you suffered. It is separate from any criminal prosecution and focuses on holding perpetrators and responsible parties accountable.
- The process should respect your healing. A trauma-aware legal team handles your case with sensitivity, keeps you informed, and supports you at every step.
Trial Attorneys Who Hold Abusers and Institutions Accountable
Sexual abuse cases are complex. They often involve old records, institutional cover-ups, insurance carriers, and defense teams working to limit what a survivor recovers. As trial attorneys, we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. That preparation is what gives survivors leverage at the settlement table.
Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle in Missoula
Child Sexual Abuse
We represent children and adult survivors of childhood abuse. A civil claim can be brought on a child’s behalf by a parent or guardian, and many adults come forward years after the abuse ended. Montana law gives survivors of childhood abuse more time to file than most injury victims.
Adult Sexual Assault
We represent adults who were sexually assaulted by an acquaintance, coworker, landlord, rideshare driver, medical provider, or other person in a position of trust. A civil case is separate from any criminal case. You can pursue compensation even if no charges were filed or the case did not lead to a conviction.
Institutional Abuse
When an organization knew or should have known about abuse and failed to act, it can be held responsible. These claims may involve:
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Churches and religious organizations
- Youth sports programs, camps, and clubs
- Foster care and residential treatment facilities
- Hospitals, clinics, and medical practices
- Employers who ignored complaints about an employee
Institutions typically carry insurance, which often makes them the most important defendant in a survivor’s ability to recover full compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Montana?
Montana’s filing deadlines depend on how old you were when the abuse happened:
- Abuse that happened before age 18: You can file before you turn 27, or within 3 years of when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) that the abuse caused your injury (MCA 27-2-216).
- Assault or battery claims for abuse that happened at 18 or older: Generally 2 years (MCA 27-2-204(3)).
- Most other injury claims, including many negligence claims against institutions: Generally 3 years (MCA 27-2-204(1)).
These rules have exceptions, and Montana has changed them several times in recent years. Do not assume your claim is too old. Talk to an attorney before you decide.
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Compensation Available to Sexual Abuse Survivors
A civil lawsuit cannot undo what happened, but it can pay for the care you need and force the people responsible to answer for it. Depending on the facts, a survivor may recover compensation for:
- Counseling, therapy, and medical treatment, past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages in certain cases involving especially egregious conduct
What to Expect When You Call Us
- A private conversation. You talk with our team about what happened, only as much as you are comfortable sharing.
- An honest assessment. We explain your options under Montana law, including whether a deadline may apply.
- Investigation. If you hire us, we gather records, identify every responsible party, and find the insurance coverage.
- Building and resolving the case. We negotiate from a position of trial readiness and take your case to court if a fair settlement is not offered.
Confidential. Compassionate. On Your Terms.
Have Questions but Not Ready to Commit to Anything? A Conversation Is Enough.
Talking with us doesn’t mean you have to file a case. It simply gives you a private space to ask questions and understand your options. Whether you’re a survivor or a parent seeking help for your child, our Missoula attorneys will listen without judgment and explain things clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my name be made public if I file a lawsuit?
In some cases, survivors can ask the court for permission to file under a pseudonym such as “Jane Doe” or “John Doe.” We will talk through privacy protections with you before anything is filed.
Can I sue if the abuser was never criminally charged?
Yes. A civil case uses a lower standard of proof than a criminal case and does not depend on a criminal conviction.
The abuse happened decades ago. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. Montana allows childhood abuse survivors to file within 3 years of discovering the connection between the abuse and their injury, even if they are well past age 27. An attorney can review the timeline with you.
Can I sue the organization and not just the abuser?
Often, yes. Schools, churches, employers, and other institutions can be liable if they ignored warning signs, failed to supervise, or covered up abuse.
Do I have to go to court or testify?
Many cases resolve without a trial. If yours goes to court, we prepare you for every step and stand beside you throughout.
Talk to a Missoula Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
You deserve to be heard, and you deserve answers. Call Ryan, Miller & Coburn Trial Attorneys at (406) 542-2233 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.
Missoula-Based. Serving Survivors Across Montana.
A Private, Local Place to Talk When You’re Ready
Our office is in downtown Missoula on East Front Street, and we work with survivors and families from Missoula and the surrounding areas. If meeting in person doesn’t feel right yet, you can start with a phone call at any hour.