Conversion Therapy aims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. If you were forced to undergo this “treatment,” Colorado has some important news for you.
As Marlo Greer notes in her video on this topic, Colorado recently passed a law allowing victims of this “therapy” to bring civil claims against licensed mental health professionals. No matter how long ago the treatment took place. In other words, no statute of limitations applies to these conversion therapy lawsuits.
If the person who was forced to undergo the therapy is no longer alive, the right to bring the civil claim passes to their heirs. In that case, any lawsuit must be brought within five years of the person’s death.
What the Law Covers
The law allows anyone who “suffered an injury” because of “sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts” to bring a claim for damages. That claim can be brought against the licensed mental health professional who conducted the conversion therapy.
Damages can include amounts you directly lost as a result of the conversion therapy. That includes the cost of further mental health treatment to overcome the harmful effects of the conversion therapy. Still, they can also include compensation for your pain and suffering. In addition, “exemplary damages,” also known as punitive damages, may be available.
Why This is Important
If you are a survivor of conversion therapy, you don’t need Marlo Greer to tell you how difficult it can be to live with the consequences. Licensed therapists have no business trying to change something that is innately part of you. While the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado’s ban violates therapists’ free speech rights, exercising those rights still causes patient harm.
Conversion therapy has been found to be harmful to the mental health of those who are exposed to it. Sadly, the vast majority of those victims are children or adolescents. These young patients were likely forced to undergo this treatment, the harmful effects of which can haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The Colorado law removing the statute of limitations for conversion therapy lawsuits introduces a ray of hope to those hurt by this harmful practice. It allows each case to be considered on its merits – with there being two main questions for the court to consider:
- Whether the mental health practitioner conducting the conversion therapy was negligent in doing so
- Whether the person undergoing that therapy suffered damages or harm as a result
There is a lot of scientific support for the idea that conversion therapy is harmful. The fact that a practitioner may have a First Amendment right to practice it does not mean they are immune from the harm they cause by doing so.
Greer Law is Here to Help
If you are a survivor of conversion therapy, whether forced to or not, and believe you were harmed, contact Greer Law to discuss your situation. Our experienced attorneys understand the laws that apply in these types of cases. We will carefully review the facts of your case with you and help you understand what your options are.
We also know how difficult it can be to revisit a painful time in your life. We will never pressure you to file a lawsuit; instead, we will answer your questions so that you can make your own informed decision. If you decide to pursue your claim, we will apply our years of experience and our understanding of the law to strengthen your claim. Our goal is to get you the compensation that you deserve for everything you have suffered.
To find out more about how Greer Law can help with your convers
