Maryland Sex Trafficking Lawyers
Constant Legal Group provides dedicated civil representation for survivors of sex trafficking in Maryland. We stand with victims against traffickers, institutions, and businesses that enabled or profited from human exploitation.
A Path to Justice in Maryland
Your rights as a sex trafficking survivor in Maryland
Sex trafficking, whether done by coercion, manipulation, or force for sexual exploitation, leaves lasting physical, emotional, and economic damage on victims. But there is a chance for justice. Though criminal prosecution targets traffickers, victims can also file civil sex trafficking lawsuits, regardless of whether there was a criminal conviction.
Through civil litigation, survivors can sue not only the trafficker but also parties who knowingly benefited from or turned a blind eye to the trafficking. Maryland law enables civil accountability under both state statutes and federal laws like the TVPRA (Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act).
Under Maryland law, survivors can bring civil claims against:
Hotels, motels & rental properties
Properties where the abuse occurred that ignored clear signs of trafficking.
Employers & businesses
Businesses that exploited or profited from the trafficking of victims.
Online platforms & websites
Sites and platforms that facilitated recruitment, advertising, or trafficking.
Institutions & individuals
Those who failed to act on or report suspicious conduct they witnessed.
Negligent third parties
Any third party whose negligence or conduct contributed to the abuse.
What You May Recover
What compensation can sex trafficking survivors pursue?
Through civil claims, survivors may recover a range of damages. The specific compensation available depends on the facts of your case.
Economic Damages
- Medical care
- Lost wages
- Relocation costs
- Support services
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- PTSD and trauma
Punitive Damages
- Awarded in cases of egregious negligence
- Willful or intentional wrongdoing
- Institutional cover-ups
Legal developments in Maryland's statutes of limitations
Recent reforms have reshaped how and when Maryland survivors can seek justice. Here is what you need to know:
- In 2023, Maryland enacted the Child Victims Act, removing all civil statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse — allowing survivors to file regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred, including abuse experienced through trafficking as a minor.
- In February 2025, Maryland's Supreme Court upheld the Act's constitutionality, affirming its retroactive application and rejecting institutional challenges.
- For survivors who were adults at the time, Maryland law generally allows three years from the date of the incident to file a civil lawsuit — though exceptions may apply under the discovery rule if the harm wasn't discovered until later.
2025 damage caps for claims filed after May 31
Due to overwhelming case volumes, lawmakers passed legislation in early 2025 capping damages for child sexual abuse claims:
- Public entities: maximum $400,000 per claimant
- Private institutions: maximum $700,000 per claimant
- Only one payment per lawsuit, regardless of multiple incidents
- Caps on attorneys' fees — 20% for settlements, 25% for verdicts
A Maryland sex trafficking attorney can review your situation and advise you on whether an exception or extended deadline applies to your case.
Types of sex trafficking and who it affects
Sex trafficking is not always what people imagine. It doesn’t always involve kidnapping or strangers — it can be subtle, manipulative, and often happens within familiar settings. Survivors may be trafficked by someone they know, trust, or depend on.
Pimp-Controlled Trafficking
A trafficker, often posing as a romantic partner or caretaker, uses violence, threats, or manipulation to force the victim into commercial sex.
Familial Trafficking
A parent, guardian, or relative exploits a child or dependent for financial gain or drugs, often hidden in plain sight.
Gang-Controlled Trafficking
Gangs use sex trafficking as a source of revenue, coercing members or outsiders into exploitation under threat of violence or loyalty demands.
Hotel-Based or Venue-Facilitated
Victims are moved between hotels, clubs, or private parties where third-party facilitators may knowingly participate or turn a blind eye.
Online Exploitation
Traffickers recruit or advertise victims via social media, escort sites, or private message platforms — sometimes grooming young victims for months.
Who Is at Risk?
Traffickers prey on vulnerability
They use emotional manipulation, false promises, addiction, threats, and dependence to control their victims, often without physical restraints. Survivors may not self-identify as victims right away, especially when traffickers use psychological tactics or convince them the abuse is their fault.
- Children and teenagers, especially those in foster care or runaway situations
- Homeless or housing-insecure individuals
- LGBTQ+ youth, who may face rejection and limited support systems
- Survivors of prior abuse or neglect
- Undocumented immigrants or those facing economic desperation
- People with disabilities or cognitive impairments
Frequently Asked Questions
About Maryland Sex Trafficking Lawsuits
Can I file a lawsuit if my trafficker was never criminally convicted?
Yes. Civil lawsuits are separate from criminal cases. You can pursue compensation from all responsible parties even if no criminal charges were ever filed or no conviction was obtained.
Who can be held responsible besides the trafficker?
Under Maryland and federal law, survivors can bring civil claims against hotels, motels, rental properties, online platforms, employers, businesses, institutions, and any third party that enabled, ignored, or profited from the trafficking.
Is there a deadline to file a sex trafficking lawsuit in Maryland?
It depends. The 2023 Child Victims Act removed all civil statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, including abuse through trafficking as a minor. For survivors who were adults at the time, Maryland generally allows three years from the date of the incident, though the discovery rule may extend that. An attorney can review your specific deadline.
What compensation can I recover?
Survivors may recover economic damages (medical care, lost wages, relocation, support services), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD), and in some cases punitive damages for egregious negligence or willful wrongdoing.
How much does it cost to work with Constant Legal Group?
Talk to a Maryland sex trafficking lawyer today
Sex trafficking survivors in Maryland have rights, and time may be passing fast. If you or someone you know has suffered exploitation, you may be eligible for justice and compensation.
Contact Constant Legal Group today for a free, confidential consultation with one of our experienced Maryland sex trafficking lawyers. You don’t have to face this alone — let us help you take the next step toward healing and justice.
- Your information is confidential. You don't pay unless we win.
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