Sexual Assault Attorney in Ohio | Ciano & Goldwasser

Cases We Handle

We represent survivors in a range of civil sexual assault matters, including:

• Institutional sexual abuse: Claims against businesses, churches, schools, youth organizations, sports associations, and other institutions that failed to protect individuals from sexual assault, abuse, or exploitation. We hold these institutions accountable for negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, failure to report, cover-ups, and other failures that allowed abuse to occur.

• Sexual assault and rape claims: Civil claims on behalf of survivors pursuing justice and compensation from responsible parties and the institutions that enabled the harm.

• Human trafficking: Civil claims against traffickers, facilitators, and the businesses and organizations that profit from or enable trafficking.

• Workplace and employer-related sexual assault: Claims where employers failed to prevent or respond appropriately to sexual assault within the workplace.

Sexual assault victim representation is one part of Andy Goldwasser's broader personal injury and wrongful death practice, which handles serious cases throughout Ohio and nationally.

You Don't Need a Criminal Conviction to File a Civil Claim

A civil claim does not require a criminal conviction, a criminal investigation, or even a police report. Ohio law is clear on this point.

The Ohio Supreme Court settled the question in Buddenberg v. Weisdack, 2020-Ohio-3832, holding unanimously (7-0) that Ohio law "does not require an underlying criminal conviction" to bring a civil claim.

Civil and criminal cases also operate under different standards of proof. A criminal case requires proof "beyond a reasonable doubt." A civil case requires only a "preponderance of the evidence," meaning it is more likely than not that the defendant is responsible. Because of this difference, a civil claim can succeed even if a criminal case did not result in a conviction, or if no criminal case was ever filed.

A civil case can also proceed while a criminal case is still pending. And if a defendant invokes their Fifth Amendment right not to testify during a civil deposition, Ohio courts may allow adverse inferences to be drawn from that silence, which can work in a survivor's favor.

Ohio Filing Deadlines for Civil Sexual Assault Claims

The time you have to file a civil sexual assault claim in Ohio depends on your age at the time of the abuse:

• Adult survivors: Under ORC § 2305.111(B), adult survivors have one year from the date of the assault to file a civil assault or battery claim. Ohio's one-year deadline is among the shortest in the country. If you are unsure whether your deadline has passed, speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

• Childhood sexual abuse survivors: Survivors of childhood sexual abuse have until their 30th birthday to file under ORC § 2305.111(C)(1). The clock starts at age 18, giving survivors a 12-year window from the date of majority.

• Negligence claims against institutions: When a claim focuses on an institution's failure to act, such as a school that ignored a known predator, the applicable limitations period may be two years under ORC § 2305.10(A) rather than one year.

These deadlines make timing important. The first step is a free, confidential conversation with Andy Goldwasser to understand where you stand.

How the Process Works

Step 1: Free, confidential consultation. Contact the firm by phone at (216) 658-9900 or through the contact form. The consultation is free and completely confidential. Andy Goldwasser personally evaluates every potential case.

Step 2: Case evaluation. Andy examines the facts, identifies the responsible institutions, and determines the strongest legal path forward.

Step 3: Building the case. The firm investigates thoroughly, uncovering institutional failures, gathering evidence, and identifying all responsible parties. We have the resources and willingness to pursue cases that other firms may consider too complex or costly.

Step 4: Demanding accountability. Whether through negotiation, mediation, or trial, we pursue full accountability and fair compensation for what the survivor has endured. We do not settle for less than what the case deserves.

No Upfront Costs

We handle all sexual assault and human trafficking cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. The firm covers all investigation and litigation costs. This is our No Fee Guarantee. The specific fee percentage is discussed privately during your initial consultation and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

A Team Built to Support Survivors

Andy Goldwasser manages our sexual assault practice in close collaboration with Quenna Bell, who is a certified Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Ambassador. That certification reflects specialized training in trauma-informed communication and survivor support. Together, they bring a compassionate and skilled approach to every case, ensuring survivors feel empowered throughout the legal process.

Andy Goldwasser's Background in Sexual Assault Law

Andy Goldwasser has spent more than 25 years representing survivors of sexual assault in Ohio and across the country. His dedication to this work extends far beyond the courtroom. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, where he chairs the governance committee. He is a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association (NCVBA), a specialized organization for attorneys who represent survivors of crime, and he leads a private charitable foundation dedicated to supporting children and families, donating a portion of his attorney fees to fund grants and community initiatives.

He completed a four-year evening law program at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in three years while working full-time as a claims adjuster. He has been named among the top 50 lawyers in Cleveland and top 100 lawyers in Ohio by Super Lawyers continuously since 2016, and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America annually since 2015.

Awards and Peer Recognition

Andy's work has earned consistent recognition from his peers and professional organizations:

• American Board of Trial Advocacy (ABOTA): Membership requires a demonstrated record of jury trials and peer nomination. Andy was recently inducted, confirming his credentials as a seasoned trial attorney who takes cases to verdict.

• National Trial Lawyers Top 100: An invitation-only organization recognizing the top trial lawyers in each state, based on case results and peer standing. Andy is a member in the Civil Plaintiff category (2023 to present).

• Super Lawyers: Named to the Ohio Super Lawyer list annually since 2008 and consistently recognized among Cleveland's top 50 lawyers and Ohio's top 100 lawyers.

• Best Lawyers in America: Listed every year since 2015, including for Personal Injury Plaintiff and Product Liability Litigation (2023 to present). Named "Lawyer of the Year" for Products Liability in 2019, a designation awarded to only one attorney per practice area per metropolitan region.

• Crain's Cleveland Business Notable Litigator and Trial Attorney (2025)

• Benchmark Litigation: Recognized Ciano & Goldwasser as one of only a handful of Ohio boutique litigation firms, based entirely on independent research and peer interviews.

Professional Memberships

Andy is an active member of the following organizations:

• National Crime Victim Bar Association (NCVBA)

• American Board of Trial Advocacy (ABOTA)

• American Association for Justice

• Ohio Association for Justice

• Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys

• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

• Ohio State Bar Association

Why Attorneys and Judges Refer Cases to Andy Goldwasser

Many personal injury attorneys take on sexual assault cases occasionally. Andy has built his entire practice around them. Fellow attorneys, judges, and former clients regularly refer complex sexual abuse cases to him because of his track record, his ongoing involvement in the survivor community, and his willingness to take difficult cases all the way to trial when that is what it takes to achieve justice.

The $4.2 million jury verdict against the U.S. Twirling Association, recognized as the 35th highest verdict in New York in 2025, reflects what that commitment looks like in practice.

If you or a loved one are considering a civil claim, we are here to listen. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation, and anything you share stays private. There is no fee unless we win.

To learn more about Andy's focus on survivors, visit www.ohiosexabuselawyer.com.