Nebraska Suing an Abuser for Money

You may have a right to seek justice from the abuser through the court system where you live. When people are injured by others, they are permitted to seek what the law refers to as “damages,” in the form of money, for such things as medical bills, lost wages or employment, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and, in some cases, to punish the abuser. Each state has its own laws on these subjects, but, for the most part, they are very similar when it comes to injuries from abuse.

Nebraska has a law that specifically allows a victim of trafficking, or his/her parent or legal guardian, to sue the trafficker for mental or physical damages caused by the trafficking, as well as all attorney’s fees and costs associated with filing the civil lawsuit.¹ In addition, Nebraska law allows a victim of non-consensual image sharing, referred to by some people as “revenge porn,” to sue the abuser in civil court for economic and non-economic damages, including damages for emotional distress.²

If your damages are below a certain amount, you may be able to file on your own in small claims court. Small claims court is a less formal type of court where you would represent yourself. In fact, Nebraska law specifically says that lawyers are not allowed to represent people in small claims court.³ In Nebraska, you may file in small claims court on your own for anything that is $6,000 or less. (As of July 1, 2025, the maximum amount will increase to $7,500.)⁴ For more information on Nebraska small claims court, please visit the Nebraska Judicial Branch On Line Self-Help website.

If you want to sue for more, you will have to file in the regular docket of the county court and may likely need the help of a lawyer.  Some lawyers will take a case like this for a “contingent fee,” which means the lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you win in court, and then s/he takes some percentage, usually a third, of whatever damages the judge orders. Sometimes, the judge will even order the defendant to pay for your attorney’s fees.

If you need help finding a lawyer who can take your case for a contingent fee, you can contact the National Crime Victim Bar Association, which offers lawyer referrals to crime victims seeking to sue offenders.  

¹ Neb.Rev.St. § 25-21,299
² Neb.Rev.St. § 25-3505
³ Neb.Rev.St. § 25-2803(2)
⁴ Neb.Rev.St. § 25-2802(4)