ATLANTA,GA
DULUTH, GA
ATLANTA,GA
DULUTH, GA
Finch McCranie LLP represents survivors of sex trafficking in civil lawsuits seeking accountability and financial recovery. Our lawyers have worked on trafficking cases in the criminal and civil justice systems, including lawsuits against businesses that allegedly benefited from trafficking while disregarding warning signs. We understand that every survivor’s circumstances and goals are different.
We approach these matters with care, preparation, and respect. Before any lawsuit is filed, we explain the potential legal paths, the work a case may require, and the possible burdens of litigation. The choice whether to move forward belongs to the survivor.
To discuss a potential civil sex trafficking claim, contact Finch McCranie at (404) 658-9070 for a free initial consultation.
Our attorneys have brought federal civil sex trafficking cases against businesses alleged to have profited from trafficking. The firm’s litigation experience includes claims involving hotels, including both locally operated properties and national hotel brands. Attorneys at the firm have also prosecuted trafficking-related offenses in criminal court.
In July 2025, a federal jury awarded $40 million to a survivor in a sex trafficking case brought by Finch McCranie against an Atlanta-area hotel: $10 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages. David Bouchard served as lead trial counsel and Oto Ekpo as trial co-counsel. The verdict arose from the evidence presented in that particular case; it does not guarantee a result for anyone else, and any post-verdict proceedings should be confirmed before publication.
Read the firm’s $40 million sex trafficking verdict announcement
Civil litigation differs from a criminal prosecution. A criminal case is brought by the government; a civil lawsuit is brought by a claimant seeking a remedy, potentially including monetary damages. Under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, eligible survivors may bring claims against traffickers and certain individuals or businesses that benefited from participation in a trafficking venture and met the applicable knowledge standard. Whether any person or business can be held liable depends on the specific facts and law.
A survivor may also have rights under state law. An attorney can evaluate possible claims, relevant deadlines, defendants, and evidence without requiring the survivor to decide immediately whether to file a lawsuit.
The people who directly recruited, controlled, or exploited a survivor may be responsible. In appropriate cases, civil liability may also extend to businesses that profited from participation in a trafficking venture when the facts satisfy the legal requirements. For example, a hotel case may involve questions about staff observations, complaints, patterns of suspicious activity, property records, security practices, and financial transactions. A hotel is not automatically liable simply because trafficking occurred there.
The firm has pursued claims against hotels and has investigated possible claims involving additional types of establishments and online services. Investigating a potential defendant is not the same as proving that defendant is liable.
Some sex trafficking claims require more specialized legal analysis. Two areas are addressed in greater detail on dedicated pages:
potential civil claims involving hotels and hospitality businesses
claims involving survivors who were under age 18
The firm has represented sex trafficking survivors in federal civil cases, including claims against businesses accused of benefiting from trafficking. Its attorneys also bring experience from criminal prosecutions. That combination can help a legal team understand both the trafficking conduct and the separate questions involved in proving a civil claim.
These lawsuits can involve complex federal statutes, questions about what a business knew or should have known, sensitive testimony, extensive document discovery, and disputes about responsibility for trafficking. Counsel with relevant experience can help evaluate those issues and explain realistic options rather than make promises about outcomes.
There is no reliable way to decide from a checklist alone. A lawyer will want to understand what happened, when it happened, where the exploitation occurred, who may have been involved, and whether there is a potential legal claim against a responsible party. You do not need to know all the answers before requesting a consultation.
No. Finch McCranie states that it does not charge for an initial consultation about a trafficking matter. A consultation is an opportunity to discuss possible options without committing to a lawsuit.
The firm represents trafficking plaintiffs through contingency-fee arrangements. Under that type of agreement, the firm’s fee generally depends on a monetary recovery. The exact fee terms, treatment of expenses, and other obligations should be reviewed in the written representation agreement before it is signed.
Courts may allow survivors to bring claims using initials or a pseudonym in appropriate circumstances. Privacy protection is not automatic, however, and the court may decide what information must be disclosed. Your lawyer should explain available protections and limits before filing.
Whenever you feel ready, and preferably before legal deadlines or evidence-preservation issues become a barrier. Different claims can have different statutes of limitations, and special rules may apply to claims involving abuse during childhood. Even if the events occurred years ago, an attorney can help determine whether legal options remain.
The initial conversation should focus on understanding your concerns and what you want to accomplish. A lawyer may ask about key events and explain potential routes for a civil claim, the likely stages of litigation, and issues that could affect a case. It can take more than one conversation for a survivor to feel ready to share relevant details; there is no need to rush the decision.
Depending on the circumstances, claims may be brought against direct perpetrators and certain people or businesses alleged to have participated in and benefited from a trafficking venture. Federal law sets specific requirements for beneficiary liability; proof that trafficking occurred at a business is not enough on its own to establish liability.
Yes. The firm has pursued civil sex trafficking litigation against businesses, including hotel defendants. Its July 2025 $40 million jury verdict against an Atlanta-area hotel is a publicly documented example. Past outcomes do not establish what will happen in a different case.
Finch McCranie has sued hotels in sex trafficking matters, including local hotels and national brands. The firm also reports investigating possible claims involving apartment properties, websites, massage businesses, entertainment venues, and other establishments. Those investigations do not mean every business category has been found liable.
The timeline depends on the defendants, number of claims, available evidence, court schedule, settlement discussions, and whether a case goes to trial or appeal. The firm reports resolving some cases in approximately 12 to 18 months, while others have continued for more than three years. No specific duration can be promised.
Yes. Federal sex trafficking law treats commercial sex trafficking involving people under 18 differently from cases involving adults, including how force, fraud, or coercion is addressed. A survivor’s age can also affect applicable legal deadlines. The requirements of a civil lawsuit still depend on the claim and defendant.
Attorneys handle tasks such as preparing pleadings, requesting documents, interviewing witnesses, filing motions, and negotiating with opposing counsel. A survivor may still need to provide information, review material, or give testimony. If a deposition is required, the legal team can explain what to expect and prepare with the client beforehand. Communication preferences and the frequency of updates can be discussed at the outset.
Sex trafficking occurs in Georgia and throughout the United States. It can take place in hotels and other settings. The firm’s work includes Atlanta-area cases, but no single statistic can establish whether Atlanta is more affected than every other community, and the existence of tourism or a major airport by itself does not establish the cause of trafficking.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign provides educational resources about trafficking and common misconceptions. Trafficking can affect people of different ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. For information about whether a specific experience supports a civil claim, speak with an attorney.
If you or someone you care about may have a civil sex trafficking claim, Finch McCranie offers an initial consultation at no charge. Call (404) 658-9070. Do not provide sensitive details through an online contact form, text, or voicemail; the firm states that website form messages are not encrypted. Contacting the firm does not itself create an attorney-client relationship.