If you’re reading this page, you may be thinking about reaching out to a lawyer for the first time. Maybe you’ve been carrying something for years — decades, even — and you’re finally considering whether you have legal options.
That takes courage. And we want you to know exactly what will happen if you pick up the phone or fill out our contact form, so there are no surprises.
This page answers the questions we hear most from people before they call. We’ve represented more than 50 survivors of sexual abuse across Connecticut, and we’ve learned that the hardest part is almost always making that first call. Everything after that gets easier.
What Happens When You Call
When you call our office at (203) 782-9241, one of two things will happen:
If Attorney Tom McNamara is available, you’ll speak with him directly. If he’s in court or on another call, his paralegal Sue will take your message and make sure Tom calls you back as soon as he can. You won’t be passed around to a call center or left waiting for days. Your call matters to us.
The initial conversation is a free, confidential consultation. There’s no specific time limit — it takes as long as it takes. Tom will listen to what you’re comfortable sharing, answer your questions about whether you may have a case, and explain how the legal process works in plain language. No pressure, no obligation.
If you’d prefer to reach out in writing first, you can use our contact form. Someone will respond promptly.
You Don’t Have to Share Everything Right Away
This is important: the first call is not testimony or a deposition. You don’t have to tell your entire story. You don’t have to have all the details organized. You don’t have to be “ready.”
Many people who call us start with something like: “I’m not even sure if I have a case, but something happened to me a long time ago.” That’s more than enough to get started.
You control the pace. You share only what you’re comfortable with. Tom will ask a few basic questions — roughly when the abuse happened, the type of institution involved, and your approximate age at the time — because that helps him determine your legal options. But nobody will push you to say more than you want to.
If you need to stop or take a break, that’s completely fine.
Your Most Common Questions — Answered Honestly
“Will my name be public?”
In most cases, no. Sexual abuse lawsuits in Connecticut can often be filed using a pseudonym — John Doe or Jane Doe. Tom will walk you through the privacy protections that may apply to your specific situation during the consultation. Many survivors choose to go forward in their own name, which can be very empowering after living so much of life in the shadows of the abuse.
“Do I need evidence or a police report?”
No. The vast majority of sexual abuse cases were never reported to police. That does not prevent you from filing a civil lawsuit. A civil case is completely separate from a criminal case — different rules, different standard of proof, different process.
Your testimony is evidence. Institutional records, personnel files, and the accounts of other survivors can all strengthen a case. And in many institutional abuse cases — churches, boarding schools, youth organizations — there are patterns that your lawyer can investigate and uncover. The lawyer’s job is to build the case. Yours is simply to come forward.
“How much does this cost?”
Nothing upfront. Nothing out of pocket. Ever. We handle sexual abuse and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if you get paid. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery — if there’s no recovery, you owe us nothing. Case costs like filing fees, expert witnesses, and investigation expenses are advanced by the firm, not by you.
You pay nothing upfront, nothing out of pocket, and you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. That’s how contingency law works, and it’s how we’ve handled every abuse case we’ve ever taken.
“How long does this take?”
It depends on the case. Some cases resolve in months. Others take a few years, particularly when they involve institutions that fight hard to avoid accountability. But here’s what you should know: the process moves at its own pace, and you don’t have to do the day-to-day work. That’s what your lawyer is for.
The more important question is whether you still have time to file. Connecticut has specific deadlines for sexual abuse cases that depend on your age when the abuse occurred. Our CT Statute of Limitations Guide explains the timelines in detail, but the short version is: if you’re thinking about this, don’t wait. Some deadlines are approaching, and once they pass, they’re gone.
“Will I have to go to court?”
The vast majority of sexual abuse cases settle before trial. Most cases are resolved through negotiation and mediation without you ever stepping into a courtroom.
But if a case does need to go to trial, you want an attorney who’s done it before. Tom McNamara won the only clergy sexual abuse case ever tried to a jury verdict against the Archdiocese of Hartford — winning a $1.66+ million recovery, upheld by the Connecticut Supreme Court. That’s a track record defendants take seriously, and it’s one reason they tend to settle. You can read the full story on our Hartford Archdiocese cases page.
“What if I’m not sure I have a case?”
That’s exactly what the free consultation is for. Tom can usually tell you within a single conversation whether you have legal options. If you do, he’ll explain what they are and what the next steps would look like. If you don’t, he’ll tell you that honestly — and he may be able to point you toward other resources that can help.
Either way, the call and meeting cost you nothing, and everything you share is confidential.
“What if it happened a long time ago?”
Many of the people we represent were abused in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Connecticut’s statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse extends decades after the abuse occurred. If you were under 18 at the time, you may have until age 48 or even age 51 to take legal action, depending on when the abuse happened. And if the abuser was convicted of first degree sexual assault, there may be no time limit at all.
Our Statute of Limitations Guide walks you through the specific deadlines based on your situation.
A Personal Note from Attorney Tom McNamara
I’ve represented more than 50 survivors of sexual abuse over the course of my career — against the Catholic Church, against Jehovah’s Witnesses, against Protestant churches, against schools, against individuals and organizations that were supposed to protect the people in their care.
I want you to know something: there is no “right way” to come forward. Some people call me the same day they learn about their legal rights. Others think about it for months. Some are calm on the phone. Others are emotional. Every single one of them was brave for making that call, and every single one of them deserved to be heard.
I won the only clergy abuse case ever tried to a jury verdict against the archdiocese of Hartford because I believed my client’s story was worth fighting for — all the way to trial, all the way to the Connecticut Supreme Court. That’s the standard I hold myself to in every case.
If you’re not sure whether you have a case, call me. I’ll give you an honest answer. If you’re not ready to talk yet, that’s okay too — this page will still be here when you are.
— Tom McNamara
What We Handle
While this page is written with sexual abuse survivors in mind, our firm handles a range of cases. We bring the same personal attention and commitment to every client, whether the case involves sexual abuse, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, or other areas of harm. You can see our full list of practice areas and results on our Settlements & Verdicts page.
Ready to Talk? Here’s How to Reach Us
There’s no obligation. No cost. No judgment. Just an honest conversation about your options.
Call us: (203) 782-9241
You can also reach us through our online contact form. We respond promptly.
Everything you share with us is protected by attorney-client privilege. Your name, your story, and your decision to call stay between you and your lawyer.
You’ve already taken the hardest step — you’re here, reading this page. The next step is just a phone call.
Request a free consultation
It’s a great privilege and responsibility to represent any client. If you trust us with your case — and your story — we will give you our very best. It starts by telling us about your case.
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