Managing Partner Mike Arias’ comments were featured in a May 5th Forbes article about recently introduced bipartisan legislation aiming to eliminate federal taxes on most sexual assault civil recoveries.
As a lead attorney of a team of Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyers, Mike Arias discusses his support for the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act in Forbes.
The article discusses the potential legislative pathways for the bill and the importance of its passage. The current law not only creates a financial burden but adds yet another layer of injustice for those who have already been wronged.
How the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act Helps Survivors
Throughout his four decades of legal practice, Mike Arias has pursued justice for thousands of survivors, recovering over $1.5 billion in these cases. Too much of that recovery, intended to compensate survivors of sexual abuse for the harm they’ve suffered, has been claimed by the federal government.
The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act represents a long-overdue shift toward acknowledging the full scope of harm suffered by sexual abuse survivors—and ensuring that those who pursue justice are not penalized for doing so.
Mike Arias on Amending the “Physical Injury” Standard
For decades, survivors have been forced to pay federal taxes on their civil recoveries unless they could show visible physical injuries. This standard fails to reflect the reality of sexual violence, which often leaves deep psychological and emotional scars rather than outward signs.
The new legislation seeks to correct this by replacing the outdated “physical injury” standard with a clearer, survivor-focused definition tied to the federal criminal code.
In the article, Congress Introduces Bill To Remove the Tax on Sex Abuse Victims, Mike calls the current law “ridiculous”, continuing to say that, “it’s like treating their recovery as income gained for enduring pain and anguish they suffered from the sexual assault.”
Mike Arias’ History of Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Mike’s inclusion in the recent Forbes article underscores Arias Sanguinetti’s active role in shaping the national conversation around survivor justice. Mike has long fought to remove barriers—legal, procedural, and emotional—that prevent survivors from obtaining the full measure of justice they deserve.
The USC Tyndall Lawsuit
While serving as co-liaison counsel in the case against the University of Southern California (USC) and disgraced gynecologist George Tyndall, Mike helped lead the movement to pass California Assembly Bill AB-1510, which revived the claims of hundreds of survivors previously barred by the statute of limitations. Thanks in part to this effort, USC agreed to an $852 million payout in the sexual abuse lawsuit.
California AB-1510, signed into law in 2019, created a temporary legal pathway for survivors of sexual assault and abuse to pursue justice, even if the statute of limitations previously barred their claims.
This landmark bill specifically allowed individuals who were sexually assaulted by a healthcare provider during treatment to file lawsuits. This provision applied to those whose claims had expired under the existing statute of limitations, granting them a one-year window starting from Jan. 1, 2020. This law allowed survivors a renewed opportunity to seek justice against institutions that enabled or ignored misconduct.
Arias Sanguinetti Stands With Survivors
Legislation like the H.R. 10055 – Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act represents another step forward in reforming the legal process for sexual abuse survivors. Removing tax penalties ensures survivors keep more of what they’ve rightfully recovered and sends a message that our legal system is evolving to better support those who come forward.
At Arias Sanguinetti, our team of attorneys strongly supports this bill. Survivors shouldn’t face financial punishment for seeking justice. They deserve support, clarity, and the assurance that the law is on their side.
As always, we remain committed to advocating for survivors in and out of the courtroom. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, conducting extensive investigations to hold liable parties accountable.
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Our Team of Sexual Abuse Lawyers Is Ready to Help
If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse, Arias Sanguinetti is ready to pursue civil action to help you seek justice. Our team of attorneys is dedicated to assisting survivors in holding perpetrators and responsible institutions accountable.
We understand that coming forward as a survivor is a deeply personal decision, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We can explain California’s lookback window, which extends the statute of limitations, and provide compassionate, personalized legal care.
Call Arias Sanguinetti for a free consultation. We will do everything in our power to help you achieve the justice and closure you deserve.
