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Code · U.S. Code · Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · CHAPTER 110— SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ABUSE OF CHILDREN · § 2255

§ 2255. Civil remedy for personal injuries

753 words·~3 min read·/usc/title-18/section-2255

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)In General.— Any person who, while a minor, was a victim of a violation of section 1589, 1590, 1591, 2241(c), 2242, 2243, 2251, 2251A, 2252, 2252A, 2260, 2421, 2422, or 2423 of this title and who suffers personal injury as a result of such violation, regardless of whether the injury occurred while such person was a minor, may sue in any appropriate United States District Court and shall recover the actual damages such person sustains or liquidated damages in the amount of $150,000, and the cost of the action, including reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. The court may also award punitive damages and such other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate.
(b)Statute of Limitations.— There shall be no time limit for the filing of a complaint commencing an action under this section.
(c)Venue; Service of Process.—
(1)Venue.— Any action brought under subsection
(a)may be brought in the district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28.
(2)Service of process.— In an action brought under subsection (a), process may be served in any district in which the defendant—
(A)is an inhabitant; or
(B)may be found.
(Added Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(b) [title VII, § 703(a)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–39, 1783–74, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(b) [title VII, § 703(a)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–39, 3341–74; amended Pub. L. 105–314, title VI, § 605, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2984; Pub. L. 109–248, title VII, § 707(b), (c), July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 650; Pub. L. 113–4, title XII, § 1212(a), Mar. 7, 2013, 127 Stat. 143; Pub. L. 115–126, title I, § 102, Feb. 14, 2018, 132 Stat. 319; Pub. L. 117–176, § 2, Sept. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2108.)
Connections13 cite this · traces to 7
16 references not yet in our index
  • Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(b) [title VII, § 703(a)]
  • 100 Stat. 1783–39
  • Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(b) [title VII, § 703(a)]
  • 100 Stat. 3341–39
  • Pub. L. 105–314, title VI, § 605
  • 112 Stat. 2984
  • Pub. L. 109–248, title VII, § 707(b)
  • 120 Stat. 650
  • 127 Stat. 143
  • 132 Stat. 319
  • 136 Stat. 2108
  • Pub. L. 99–591
  • Pub. L. 99–500
  • Pub. L. 109–248, § 707(b)
  • Pub. L. 109–248, § 707(c)
  • Pub. L. 105–314
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 2255
Civil remedy for personal injuries
U.S.C.×8
Fed. Reg.×2
Stat.×2
Pub. L.×1
Pub. L.Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(b) [title VII, § 703(a)]
Stat.100 Stat. 1783–39
Pub. L.Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(b) [title VII, § 703(a)]
Stat.100 Stat. 3341–39
Pub. L.Pub. L. 105–314, title VI, § 605
Cites 23 · showing 12Cited by 13 across 4 sources
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