Oklahoma Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Civil claims for adults who were abused as children and for parents protecting a child today. Free, confidential consultations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and across Oklahoma.
What happened to you was not your fault
If you were sexually abused as a child, you may be able to bring a civil case now, even if it happened many years ago and even if you never told anyone. A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It can hold accountable both the person who abused you and the adults or organizations that should have stopped it.
Childhood abuse claims are one part of our sexual abuse and assault practice, which is the main focus of our firm. We also represent parents and guardians who have just learned that their child was hurt and want to know what comes next.
Our team is all women. Laurie Koller has practiced law since 1991 and brings trauma-informed training to her work with survivors.
You do not have to have reported it. You do not have to have told anyone. You can still call.
Talk to us
Free, confidential consultation
Consultations are free and confidential. There is no pressure to decide anything on the first call.
Cases we handle
Who we represent
Adult survivors
Adults who were abused as children, including abuse that happened many years ago.
Parents and guardians
Parents and guardians bringing a claim for a child who was harmed.
Abuse by a trusted adult
Coaches, teachers, doctors and others who used their role to reach a child.
Abuse by a relative or family friend
Abuse inside the home or by someone the family trusted.
Grooming and online exploitation
Adults who groomed a child in person or online before the abuse.
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Who can be held accountable
Two kinds of people can be held responsible in a civil case: the person who abused the child, and the people or groups that made the abuse possible.
Schools, daycare centers, churches and other religious organizations, sports clubs and youth programs can also be responsible when they failed to prevent abuse or failed to report it. We explain those cases in more detail on our page about claims against schools, churches and youth organizations.
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Oklahoma's duty to report child abuse
In Oklahoma, every adult has a legal duty to report suspected child abuse, not only teachers, doctors and counselors. Anyone who has reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected must report it to Oklahoma Human Services. The state explains this duty and lists its abuse and neglect hotline, 1-800-522-3511, on the Oklahoma Human Services report abuse page. If a child is in danger right now, call 911.
The duty to report matters in a civil case. When adults in charge saw the signs and stayed silent, an institution may face civil liability for the harm that followed.
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Deadlines depend on age and when you understood the harm
Oklahoma does set deadlines for these claims, and the rules for childhood abuse differ from most injury cases. The time you have can depend on your age then and now, who the claim is against, and when you came to understand the harm and what caused it.
Some deadlines are strict even when the abuse was never reported. The only way to know where you stand is to talk with a lawyer about your own facts. You can reach us at (918) 221-3861, and the call is free and confidential.
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What a civil case looks like
We listen, gather what you have, and then file a complaint in an Oklahoma court. Next comes discovery, when each side must share records such as personnel files and prior complaints. Many cases end in a settlement. Some go to trial.
Privacy is a common worry. Filing under initials or a pseudonym may be possible, and we will talk with you about whether it fits your case. You decide how much to share and when. When you are ready, send us a private message or call (918) 221-3861.
You do not have to have reported it. You do not have to have told anyone. You can still call.
How we work
A trauma-informed approach to every case
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You set the pace
You decide how much to share and when. We never push you to relive details before you are ready.
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We guard your privacy
We talk with you early about steps that may limit who sees your name and your story.
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We explain each step
You will know what is happening in your case, what comes next and what each choice means.
Compensation
What a civil case can recover
Money cannot undo what happened. It can pay for care and recognize what was taken from you or your child. Depending on the case, that may include:
- Therapy and medical care, past and future
- Emotional and psychological harm
- Harm to schooling and development
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Costs of moving or new safety measures
- Punitive damages in some cases of extreme misconduct
Client reviews
What our clients say
"Laurie is a true advocate for her clients. Her passion and dedication to helping victims is unparalleled. Thank you Laurie for being a fearless leader in creating change."
Knowledgeable, honest, experienced, compassionate, determined. Laurie is the first attorney I'll call for legal advice and guidance. Without question, I'm all in.
This team is capable and leaves no stone unturned. The best decision I made was hiring this team for my case.
Common questions
Questions survivors and parents ask us
Can I bring a case if the abuse happened decades ago?
Possibly, yes. Oklahoma has special rules for childhood sexual abuse, and the deadline can depend on your age, the age you were when it happened, who the claim is against and when you came to understand the harm. Some older cases can still be brought, and some cannot. A free, confidential call is the fastest way to find out where you stand.
Do I need a police report or a criminal conviction?
No. A civil case does not depend on a criminal case. It uses a different standard of proof, and it can move forward even if no charges were filed or the criminal case ended without a conviction. Many survivors never reported the abuse to police. That does not stop you from talking with us.
Can a parent file on behalf of a child?
Yes. Parents or guardians usually bring the claim on behalf of a child. In some situations, the child can pursue the claim on their own after reaching a certain age. If your child was hurt recently, the first steps are their safety and their care. We can talk with you about the legal side when you are ready.
Will my name be made public?
Not necessarily. Filing under initials or a pseudonym may be possible, and we will talk with you about whether it fits your case. We also handle what you tell us with care. Nothing you share with us leaves our office without your permission, and we will tell you before any step that could make your name public.
What does a consultation cost?
Consultations are free and confidential. You can call, ask questions and learn your options without signing anything or committing to a case. You may bring a support person if that helps. If you decide to move forward, we will explain how the case would work, including costs, before you agree to anything.
Related practice areas
Other ways we help
Sexual Abuse and Assault
Civil claims for survivors of sexual abuse and assault at any age.
Institutional Abuse
Schools, churches, youth groups and care facilities that failed to protect.
Tell us how we can help
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