Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act

Suing U.S. for military sexual trauma

If enacted, you would be able to sue the United States for injury or death that happened while you were in the Armed Forces. Covered service includes active duty, active Guard and Reserve duty, full‑time National Guard duty, or certain reserve training. Qualifying offenses include wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate images, rape, sexual assault, aggravated or abusive sexual contact, related article 120c offenses, and sexual harassment under article 134. You could also sue for negligent failures to prevent or investigate such misconduct and for other wrongful acts that contributed to it. You would generally have five years from when your claim accrues to file, and the filing time would pause while related investigations or proceedings are pending. Awards would not be reduced because you received VA or Defense Department health care or benefits. The rules would apply to claims arising on or after enactment, and some pre-enactment claims would be treated as accruing on enactment.