1/6/2026
2026 Sexual Abuse Litigation Trends: Key Cases, Settlement Outlooks & How Verus Supports Survivor-Focused Claims Administration
In 2026, the legal landscape for sexual abuse survivors is shifting in ways not seen in decades. New revival statutes and expanded statutes of limitations are reopening pathways for individuals who were previously barred from pursuing civil claims—many of whom suffered abuse in religious institutions, juvenile detention centers, schools, youth programs, and state-run facilities. These legislative changes are enabling survivors to finally bring claims forward, even when the abuse occurred years or decades earlier.
At the same time, several high-profile multidistrict litigations (MDLs), including the Uber Passenger Sexual Assault MDL, are moving rapidly toward early bellwether trials. These trials are expected to set benchmarks for liability findings and compensation ranges, influencing future negotiations and potential nationwide resolutions.
Additionally, multiple states are actively considering or preparing for global settlements to address long-standing institutional abuse claims, particularly where investigations have uncovered patterns of systemic misconduct. Maryland, California, Washington, and other jurisdictions are evaluating statewide or multi-institution frameworks that would streamline compensation, reduce litigation delays, and provide survivors with more timely access to justice.
Together, these developments are reshaping the litigation environment, increasing claim volumes, accelerating key case milestones, and placing heightened emphasis on consistent, trauma-informed claim administration and reliable data analytics to support settlement planning.
As these matters grow in size and complexity, law firms, state agencies, and court-appointed leaders increasingly rely on experienced claims administrators, data analysts, and case management partners to ensure accuracy, transparency, and survivor-centered support.
Verus brings more than 20 years of national experience managing mass tort and institutional abuse claims—including youth facility abuse, clergy abuse, class actions, and high-volume settlement programs.
- Clergy and Religious Institution Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Hundreds of new clergy sex abuse lawsuits continue to be filed nationwide. Many states have passed revival or “lookback window” legislation, allowing survivors whose abuse occurred decades ago to pursue civil claims.
Key trends include:
- Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Claims
Investigations in multiple states have revealed widespread abuse in juvenile detention facilities. Survivors in Maryland, California, Washington, and across the country are filing civil claims based on staff misconduct, unsafe environments, and systemic failures.
States with high litigation activity in 2025 included:
The Uber Passenger Sexual Assault MDL continues to grow, with more than 2,700+ plaintiffs across 30 states. Claims allege negligent hiring, inadequate safety protocols, and failure to remove dangerous drivers despite prior complaints.
With the first bellwether trial scheduled for January 13th, 2026, this MDL is expected to shape future rideshare assault litigation.
Uber abuse settlement value, rideshare assault claims, Uber litigation 2025
How Verus Supports Sexual Abuse Litigation
Verus delivers comprehensive, survivor-centered claims support for mass tort and institutional abuse cases. Our services increase efficiency, strengthen data integrity, and support leadership with reliable analytics throughout the litigation lifecycle.
Our Capabilities
✔ Trauma-Informed Claim Intake & Survivor Support
We design safe, confidential intake processes to meet survivors where they are—whether cases involve institutions, juvenile facilities, clergy, rideshare services, or state agencies.
✔ Claim Validation & Documentation Review
Verus’ trained teams review narratives, facility records, historical documentation, and corroboration materials to ensure consistent and defensible outcomes.
✔ Advanced Analytics & Predictive Modeling
Our proprietary models help law firms and leadership committees:
- Forecast claim volume and numericity
- Evaluate claim “richness” and stratification
- Identify patterns across jurisdictions or institutions
- Estimate potential settlement ranges earlier in the case lifecycle
Secure Case Management & Workflow Automation
Verus implements systems designed for large volumes of sensitive data, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient case progression.
Qualified Settlement Fund (QSF) & Program Administration
Our settlement teams manage every phase—from notice and claimant outreach to award distribution—with transparency, reliability, and survivor-centered communication.
Government & Institutional Experience
Verus has decades of experience supporting state agencies, court-appointed administrators, and nationally recognized legal teams across mass torts, sexual abuse claims, and complex class actions.
Why Law Firms and Agencies Choose Verus
- 20+ years of proven experience across institutional abuse and mass tort litigation
- 8.7 million+ claims processed, including survivor and abuse-related matters
- Trusted by courts, counsel, and state governments to manage sensitive, high-impact programs
- Data-driven insights that strengthen litigation strategy and negotiation readiness
- Confidential, compassionate engagement with survivors at every step
Partner With Verus for Sex Abuse Litigation Support
If your firm, agency, or leadership team is handling clergy abuse claims, youth facility abuse cases, Uber sexual assault claims, or other institutional abuse litigation, Verus is ready to support you with accurate administration, analytics, and survivor-focused care.
Contact us today to learn how we help organizations navigate large-scale abuse litigation with integrity, transparency, and operational excellence.
