.1).2111240957550.jpg)
Colorado Sex Abuse Law partner Michael L. Nimmo plans to file dozens of childhood sexual abuse lawsuits under SB 88, also known as the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act, capturing the attention of ABC-affiliate The Denver Channel.
Signed into law in July, SB 88 will allow any survivors of child sex abuse that occurred as far back as 1960 to file civil lawsuits against their abusers, even if they previously missed the legal filing deadline. This so-called lookback window will be open from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2025, giving survivors with formerly expired claims three years to file under SB 88.
As reported by The Denver Channel, Attorney Nimmo devoted time to advise legislators on SB 88 before it passed. He took special care to highlight just how difficult it can be to talk about the abuse one experienced as a child.
“The statistics show that the average age of someone first telling about their abuse, when they were abused as a child, is age 52,” Attorney Nimmo told The Denver Channel. “Children don't understand what's happened to them, they're scared to tell someone what's happened to them. They're afraid they're going to get in trouble... because of that, they keep it inside for 40 years and live a life long, full of regret. Many times, they feel like they are the ones that did something wrong, and they can't come forward and explain it.”
On November 18, Attorney Nimmo gave a press conference in which he announced that more than 20 survivors had already reached out to him for legal help ahead of the lookback window’s opening date.
Two survivors bravely joined Attorney Nimmo at the conference to share their stories.
“I am a survivor of multiple sexual assaults by a teacher I had as a child,” said Meg Hargett, one of Attorney Nimmo’s clients. “Due to threats, fear, shame and confusion I could not tell anyone about my abuse.”
Attorney Nimmo is proud to help Ms. Hargett seek closure and compensation through a civil claim. He encourages other survivors of the same teacher in the Saint Vrain Valley School District to speak out, as well.
The other survivor at the press conference was Brian Barzee, who spoke of his abuse by a Catholic priest. Last year, when the Attorney General’s office released a report naming his abuser, Father James Moreno, Mr. Barzee bravely decided to speak up about the trauma he went through as a high school student.
“I learned that I wasn’t just a sole survivor, and I was able to come out of my humiliation to reach out to others and to defend myself after many years of just being silent,” Mr. Barzee said.
Just as The Denver Channel reported, Attorney Nimmo is working tirelessly to build his clients’ claims, collecting witness testimony, documentation, and other key evidence to give them a strong chance at winning. He knows that speaking up about abuse is hard, which is why he strives to make it easier for his clients in any way he can. Often, that means providing compassionate legal support.
“The vast majority of child sex abuse goes unreported,” Attorney Nimmo reiterated at the press conference, “because children often lack the knowledge needed to recognize the sexual abuse or lack the ability to articulate that they’ve been abused.”
While Attorney Nimmo is well acquainted with the unique challenges of child sex abuse cases, he also knows how to effectively address and overcome them. Over the years, he has successfully gone to legal battle for countless clients. For example, his most recent work includes his representation of more than 150 survivors of sex abuse in claims against the University of Michigan.
With over 15 years of legal experience, Attorney Nimmo has what it takes to advocate for survivors.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of child sex abuse, Attorney Nimmo and the team at Colorado Sex Abuse Law want to help. Learn about your rights under SB 88 in a free, confidential consultation—call our compassionate lawyers at (303) 835-9227 or contact us online.