A Bossier Parish jury has delivered what is believed to be the largest single-plaintiff civil verdict in Louisiana history — a $1.1 billion award in a child sexual abuse case tried under the state's groundbreaking lookback law. Our firm had the privilege of representing the survivor in this case, and we want to share what happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for you or someone you love.
This case was never about a number. It was about truth, accountability, and the courage of a woman who refused to let silence be the final word on what was done to her as a child.
A Survivor's Decades-Long Journey to Justice
The plaintiff, an ICU nurse from north-west Louisiana, endured childhood sexual molestation at the hands of her stepfather beginning when she was four years old in 1962. The abuse continued for 14 years. Her abuser kept her silent for decades by threatening her life if she ever came forward.
As an adult, she sought only one thing from him: acknowledgment and help paying for the mental health care she desperately needed. Instead, he obtained a restraining order against her in 2011 — and in the process, admitted to the Bossier Sheriff's Department that he had molested her when she was a minor.
By then, Louisiana's criminal statute of limitations had long expired. He could not be prosecuted. When she filed a civil lawsuit against him in 2012, it was dismissed because civil filing deadlines had also lapsed under the law at that time.
Her abuser passed away in 2023, never having faced formal legal consequences for what he did. But a change in Louisiana law gave her one more chance — and she took it.
What Is Louisiana's Sexual Abuse Lookback Law?
In 2021, Louisiana passed Senate Bill 246, a lookback law that temporarily removed filing deadlines for civil lawsuits involving childhood sexual abuse that had previously been time-barred. The law was challenged and upheld as constitutional in 2024.
The lookback window is currently open through June 14, 2027. This means that if you were sexually abused as a child and your civil claim was previously dismissed or blocked by the statute of limitations, you may still have the right to seek damages — but time is limited.
Key provisions of the Louisiana lookback law include:
- If the sexual abuse occurred on or after June 14, 2021, there is currently no deadline to file a civil lawsuit.
- If the abuse occurred before June 14, 2021, you may still be eligible to file under the lookback window through June 14, 2027.
- If you were 28 or older before June 14, 2021, and your claim was previously time-barred, you may now be able to file.
- Criminal charges are not required — you can pursue a civil claim even if your abuser was never prosecuted or was acquitted.
The Verdict: $1.1 Billion — and What It Represents
After a two-day trial in Bossier Parish, the jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning a landmark verdict:
- $500,000,000 — Pain and suffering damages
- $600,000,000 — Punitive damages
- $585,000 — Past and future medical and psychological treatment expenses
This is believed to be the largest single-plaintiff civil verdict in Louisiana history and potentially the largest punitive damages award ever entered against a single individual in the state.
The punitive damages component is particularly significant. Under Louisiana law, punitive damages in sexual abuse cases are intended to send a message — not just to the defendant, but to every person in a position of power or trust who might ever consider harming a child. This verdict does exactly that.
"This case was never about money. It was about truth. It was about accountability. It was about finally being heard." — The Survivor
Why This Verdict Matters Beyond One Survivor
Verdicts of this magnitude do more than compensate a single survivor. They reshape behavior. They tell institutions — schools, churches, youth organizations, foster care systems, and employers — that enabling or concealing sexual abuse carries a devastating financial and reputational cost.
Louisiana's lookback law was built on the recognition that most survivors of childhood sexual abuse are unable to come forward for years, sometimes decades. Trauma, shame, fear, and silence are not excuses for inaction — they are realities that the law now takes into account.
For survivors who have been waiting, wondering whether it is too late, this verdict is an answer: your window is still open.
Who Can File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Under the Lookback Law?
If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in Louisiana, you may have grounds to file a civil claim — regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred — if you act before June 14, 2027. You do not need a criminal conviction. You do not need to have filed a previous lawsuit.
We can file claims against the individual abuser, the estate of a deceased abuser, or any organization that harbored, enabled, or failed to stop the abuse. Common defendants in these cases include:
- Churches and religious organizations
- Public and private schools (teacher or coach abuse)
- Foster care systems and group homes
- Youth sports leagues and after-school programs
- Juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities
- Employers who knew or should have known about an abuser's conduct
What Damages Can a Survivor Recover?
A successful civil sexual abuse claim can seek compensation for a broad range of harms, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future mental health care and therapy costs
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, where the defendant's conduct was especially egregious
As this verdict demonstrates, Louisiana juries take childhood sexual abuse seriously. They understand the lifelong nature of the harm — and they are prepared to hold abusers and the institutions that protect them accountable in a meaningful way.
Your Case Will Be Treated With Confidentiality and Compassion
We understand that deciding to come forward is one of the most difficult decisions a survivor can make. Our team approaches every sexual abuse case with the seriousness, discretion, and respect it deserves.
We can discuss your options in a completely confidential consultation. Under Louisiana law, some provisions allow survivors to pursue claims with a degree of anonymity. We will walk you through every option available to you before you make any decisions.
You are not obligated to relive your story more than you choose to. We are here to listen, advise, and fight on your behalf.
The Lookback Window Closes June 14, 2027. Don't Wait.
If you or someone you care about survived childhood sexual abuse in Louisiana, your time to act may be running out. Call our Shreveport and Bossier City office for a free, completely confidential consultation: (318) 633-0186. You do not pay unless we win your case.
About Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law
Ryan E. Gatti is a Bossier City and Shreveport personal injury and sexual abuse attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing clients across northwest Louisiana. A former Louisiana state legislator, Mr. Gatti brings both legal knowledge and a deep understanding of Louisiana law to every case he handles.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis for sexual abuse and personal injury claims — meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.