Andreozzi + Foote Partners with Rhode Island Attorney Eric B. DiMario to Represent Survivors Under New Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Law

Andreozzi + Foote, a nationally recognized law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse, has partnered with Rhode Island attorney Eric B. DiMario of Kiernan, Plunkett & Redihan, LLP, to represent survivors pursuing claims under Rhode Island's newly enacted childhood sexual abuse revival-window legislation.

In a landmark victory for survivors, Rhode Island has opened a two-year revival window that allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits that were previously barred by the state's statute of limitations.

The new law, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, gives eligible survivors until June 30, 2028, to pursue claims against institutions and organizations that knew about, concealed, or failed to prevent sexual abuse. For many Rhode Island survivors of childhood sexual abuse, this may be the first meaningful opportunity in decades to seek accountability through the civil justice system.

The legislation follows the release of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha's landmark report detailing decades of alleged clergy sexual abuse and institutional failures within the Diocese of Providence. The more than 200-page report documented allegations involving more than 300 victims, included summaries of 72 clergy members determined to have been credibly accused of child sexual misconduct, and identified numerous instances in which abuse allegations were not reported to law enforcement and accused clergy remained in ministry.

While the Attorney General's investigation focused on clergy abuse, the revival window applies broadly to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and will allow claims involving other religious institutions, schools, youth-serving organizations, healthcare providers, and other entities entrusted with the care of children.

"Sexual abuse cases are rarely just about the actions of one individual," Ben Andreozzi, Partner, Andreozzi + Foote, said. "Time and again, we uncover institutional failures that enabled abuse or allowed it to continue unchecked. Our mission is to help survivors pursue accountability, expose institutional failures, and create meaningful change that protects others from suffering the same harm."

Andreozzi added, "For many survivors, the passage of time has been one of the greatest barriers to justice. Rhode Island's revival window recognizes the reality that childhood sexual abuse trauma often takes years or even decades to process. This law gives survivors an opportunity to have their voices heard and to hold institutions accountable for the role they may have played in allowing abuse to occur."

DiMario has long advocated for expanding survivors' access to the civil justice system in Rhode Island. In February 2019, he testified before the Rhode Island House of Representatives in support of earlier legislation aimed at extending survivors' legal rights.

"If this bill becomes law, it will unlock the doors of the civil justice system for many survivors of childhood sexual abuse who have found those doors closed for far too long," DiMario testified.

The revival window will allow courts to hear claims based on their merits rather than dismissing them solely because of the passage of time. Survivors are encouraged to reach out to an attorney to learn about their legal options as soon as possible.

About Andreozzi + Foote

Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations, including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed Pennsylvania-based sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families. For more information, visit www.victimscivilattorneys.com.

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