THE COVID EXECUTIVE ORDERS TOLLING STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR FILING ACTIONS UNDER THE CHILD VICTIMS ACT UNTIL NOVEMBER 12, 2021 (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the executive orders tolling statutes of limitations during COVID extended deadline for filing Child Victims Act suits for 90 days, from August 14, 2021, to November 12, 2021, rendering the instant lawsuit timely filed:
CPLR 214-g, enacted as part of the CVA, provides a revival window for “civil claims or causes of action alleging intentional or negligent acts or omissions that seek to recover for injuries suffered as a result of conduct which would constitute sex crimes, which conduct was committed against a child less than 18 years of age, for which the statute of limitations had already run” … . In 2019, the CVA became effective and originally permitted actions to be commenced between August 14, 2019, and August 14, 2020 … . On August 3, 2020, the CVA was amended so as to extend the revival window for one additional year, until August 14, 2021 … . After the date of this amendment, however, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, following prior executive orders issued amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to issue executive orders that ultimately tolled statutes of limitations through November 3, 2020 … .
… [T]he executive orders issued subsequent to the CVA’s amendment tolled the close of the CVA’s revival window for 90 days, from August 14, 2021, until at least November 12, 2021 … . As the instant action was commenced on November 12, 2021, it was timely commenced … . Bethea v Children’s Vil., 2024 NY Slip Op 01166,, Second Dept 3-6-24
Practice Point: The COVID executive orders tolling statutes of limitations extended the August 14, 2021, deadline for filing actions under the Child Victims Act until November 12, 2021.