Missed the Adult Survivors Act? Your Options Under New York Law in 2026
For one year, from November 2022 to November 2023, New York let adult survivors file sexual abuse lawsuits that time had already barred. Thousands of survivors used that window. Many more did not, often because they were not ready or did not know it existed. If you missed the Adult Survivors Act, you may feel the door has closed for good. Often, it has not. Here, we explain what the Adult Survivors Act did and what replaced it. Then we walk through the deadlines still open across New York, including a city window that runs into 2027.
What the Adult Survivors Act Did, and Why It Ended
The Adult Survivors Act, codified at CPLR 214-j, revived expired lawsuits for sexual offenses committed against people 18 or older. Survivors could sue for conduct that would be a crime under Article 130 of the Penal Law, no matter how long ago it happened. Its window closed in November 2023.
Today, cases filed in time are still moving through the courts. On September 17, 2026, the Appellate Division, First Department, decided Delgado v. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., 2026 NY Slip Op 05366. There, the court let a survivor’s Adult Survivors Act lawsuit go forward for assaults alleged in New York. Even so, it dismissed one part of her case tied to events in Nevada, which another state’s shorter deadline barred. For survivors who did not file, though, the question is different.
Is There a New Window if You Missed the Adult Survivors Act?
Not yet at the state level. During May 2026, legislators introduced S10498 and A11444 to extend the Adult Survivors Act. Both bills remain in committee in the Senate and the Assembly. Neither has passed either house. As drafted, the bill may not reopen anything, because its new end date still runs from 2022. Of course, we will update this post if that changes. Additionally, our earlier post on the Adult Survivors Act deadline covers the window’s history in more detail.
CPLR 213-c: Twenty Years for Many Assaults
Even without a revival window, many sexual assault survivors still have time. Since 2019, CPLR 213-c has given survivors 20 years to sue for rape and several other serious sexual offenses. This period covers conduct listed in the statute, including first-degree rape and certain other felony sex offenses. Notably, it lets you sue “any party whose intentional or negligent acts or omissions” led to the assault. That can include an employer or a school.
Whether CPLR 213-c reaches your case depends on the exact offense and the date. However, some lesser offenses still carry shorter deadlines. So a careful review of the facts tells you which clock applies.
Separately, abuse that began before you turned 18 follows a different rule. Under CPLR 208(b), as amended by the Child Victims Act, survivors of childhood sexual abuse may sue until they reach age 55. Many adults who assume the Adult Survivors Act was their only option actually fall under this longer childhood deadline.
The New York City Lookback Window Open Until 2027
Survivors whose abuse happened in New York City have a second path, and it may be the most important one. Unlike the state proposals, this window is law today. On January 29, 2026, the City Council passed Local Law 50 of 2026 over the mayor’s veto. It added section 10-1104.1 to the Gender Motivated Violence Act. Under that section, survivors may sue for gender-motivated violence that occurred before January 9, 2022, no matter how old the claim. Suits must be filed within 18 months of the law taking effect, which by our count means by about July 29, 2027.
Because of this window, many survivors who missed the Adult Survivors Act can still bring a lawsuit today. Beyond that, the city law reaches anyone who “commits, directs, enables” or conspires in the violence. To learn more, read our post on the new GMVA lookback window. Our Gender Motivated Violence Act lawyers handle these cases throughout the city.
Steps to Take Now if You Missed the Adult Survivors Act
First, write down what you remember, including the dates and locations, plus the names of anyone you told. Next, gather your texts and emails along with photographs and any medical or therapy records. Then, speak with a New York sexual abuse lawyer soon, because the city window has a firm end date. Finally, avoid posting about the abuse online until you have advice, since anything public can become evidence. Keep a short list of questions, too, so your first conversation with a lawyer covers what matters most to you.
Without a review, it is easy to assume every option is gone. Instead, let a lawyer compare your facts against each deadline. Meanwhile, our comparison of the GMVA, the Child Victims Act and the Adult Survivors Act shows how the three laws fit together. You can also browse our civil practice areas.
Talk With The Law Firm of Andrew M. Stengel, P.C. About What Is Still Open
Having missed the Adult Survivors Act does not mean you missed your chance. The Law Firm of Andrew M. Stengel, P.C. represents survivors across New York, and we will tell you plainly which deadlines still apply. We listen first, we explain each option in plain language and we fight to maximize your recovery. Every review starts with your timeline, because the right deadline depends on when and where the abuse happened.
Contact us to discuss your case. Email info@stengellaw.com or schedule at https://calendly.com/stengellaw.
