Statute of Limitations
Massachusetts: Civil SOL extends to age 53 (35 years after majority). No active lookback window required — the extended baseline SOL covers most adult survivors.
Age 53 (35 years after majority at age 18)
Where to File in Massachusetts
Massachusetts was ground zero for the Catholic clergy abuse crisis following the Boston Globe Spotlight investigation in 2002. The Archdiocese of Boston paid $85 million to 552 survivors in 2003 following Cardinal Bernard Law's resignation. Massachusetts subsequently extended its civil SOL for childhood sexual abuse to 35 years after the survivor turns 18 — effectively age 53. This is one of the longest standard SOL periods in the country and means that many Massachusetts survivors of historical clergy abuse have viable claims without a lookback window. The Archdiocese of Boston, Diocese of Worcester, Diocese of Springfield, and Diocese of Fall River have all published credibly accused clergy lists. No Massachusetts diocese has filed for bankruptcy as of February 2026.
Exposure in Massachusetts
Source: Massachusetts General Laws ch. 260, § 4C
Source: Boston Globe / Archdiocese of Boston