Human Trafficking

Human trafficking affects over a million people in the United States at any given time. This modern form of slavery involves using force or coercion to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, whether through sexual exploitation or forced labor.

Despite being highly illegal, many establishments turn a blind eye to human trafficking tied to their businesses. Hotels, truck stops, airlines, restaurants, and websites are just a few of the industries accused of complicity in human trafficking. Often, these businesses profit from the exploitation and knowingly enable traffickers to continue their illegal activities.

If you are a victim of human trafficking, any business involved in your exploitation can be liable for the harm you suffered. Our leading personal injury law firm can help you understand your rights and file a civil human trafficking lawsuit in pursuit of justice, accountability, and compensation. Contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Human Trafficking Lawsuit Claim Eligibility

You may have grounds to bring a human trafficking lawsuit if you were trafficked for sexual exploitation or forced labor, especially if a business facilitated or benefited from these activities. Though settlement and verdict amounts vary based on the specifics of each case and cannot be guaranteed, compensation for victims can range in hundreds of thousands of dollars or higher.

If you are unsure whether a business was involved in your trafficking, our top-tier legal team at the National Injury Law Firm™ can review your case and help you determine if you have a viable claim. Examples of intentional business involvement in human trafficking include:

Receiving payments from traffickers in exchange for not reporting known human trafficking.
Ignoring clear signs of trafficking to continue benefiting from the trafficker’s business.
Failing to perform adequate background checks on employees who may be involved in trafficking.

Which Industries Are Commonly Involved in Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking can occur in any industry, but it’s particularly common in certain types of businesses. If you are a victim of human trafficking in these or any other industries, we can help you determine whether a civil lawsuit is in your best interest:

Hospitality and Tourism

Hotels and motels are sex trafficking hotspots. Traffickers book rooms for victims to stay in for extended periods, bringing clients to these locations to engage in illegal activities. The discreet and transient nature of these establishments allows traffickers to move victims easily and avoid detection.

Agricultural and Manual Labor

Human trafficking in the agricultural and manual labor sectors is rampant. Many victims are undocumented immigrants, which makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to fears of deportation or a perceived lack of legal protection. Traffickers often target these individuals for forced labor, subjecting them to long work hours and hazardous conditions.

Domestic Work

The intimate nature and inherent power dynamics of domestic work make this industry particularly susceptible to human trafficking. Victims may be lured into caregiving roles under false pretenses, such as promises of good pay or a better life, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative situations.

Sex and Entertainment Industries

Human trafficking is also prevalent in pornography, strip clubs, sexual massage parlors, and other forms of adult entertainment. Many workers in these industries are coerced into their roles rather than participating voluntarily. A number of popular pornographic websites, such as Ponhub, have been accused of facilitating sex trafficking.

Milestones in Human Trafficking Lawsuits

Noteworthy human trafficking lawsuits in recent years include:

In 2021, students filed two federal lawsuits against an Iowa community college for its role in human trafficking from Brazil and Chile.
In October 2023, an arbitrator awarded $37.5 million to three victims in a claim against a West Philadelphia hotel. They were trafficked as minors and brought their claims over a decade later.
In January 2024, lawyers for sex trafficking victims moved to centralize over 50 lawsuits accusing popular hotel chains of profiting from sex trafficking.

A large number of human trafficking lawsuits involve claims against hotels. The first sex trafficking case against an individual hotel came in 2015. Since then, over 110 lawsuits have been filed against hotel franchises for sex trafficking.

Human Trafficking FAQs

Victims normally have many questions when considering taking legal action against businesses involved in their trafficking experience. Here are the most common questions we receive about human trafficking lawsuits, along with answers:

1. What Are Common Human Trafficking Indicators?

Human trafficking can be difficult to identify, but there are several common signs that may indicate someone is being exploited, including:

Physical signs of abuse, such as bruises, malnutrition, or untreated medical conditions.
Poor living conditions, including multiple people living in a cramped space.
Victims living with their employers.
Inability to speak freely or independently.
Scripted or rehearsed responses when questioned.
Exhibiting submissive or fearful behavior.

2. What Questions Should I Ask Someone Who May Have Been Trafficked?

If you have an opportunity to speak privately with someone you suspect is a human trafficking victim, there are certain questions you can ask to determine if they need help. If their answers suggest they may need help, you can assist them in contacting law enforcement:

Are you allowed to leave your job whenever you want?
Have you been harmed or threatened if you try to leave?
Have you been forced or coerced into doing things you don’t want to do, such as sex acts?
Do you owe a debt to your employer?
Do you have access to your identification documents?

3. What Evidence Is Needed To File a Human Trafficking Lawsuit?

Evidence of your trafficking experience is essential when pursuing a human trafficking lawsuit. This evidence can include photographs and videos, medical records, text messages or emails from the trafficker, witness statements, and expert testimony from mental health professionals. Our attorneys can help you gather and present this evidence to support your case.

4. What Is The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act?

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPA) is a federal law that establishes various programs and initiatives to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers. It also provides funding for organizations that advance these goals.

5. What Is the Child Victims Act?

The New York Child Victims Act is a state law that allows survivors of child sexual abuse to seek justice and hold their abusers accountable by extending the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions. Many others states have opened “lookback windows” through similar legislation.

6. What Is the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act?

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) is a federal law that provides resources and tools to law enforcement agencies and other organizations to combat human trafficking. It also strengthens protections for victims, including provisions for restitution, housing assistance, and immigration relief.

7. Can Human Trafficking Survivors Remain Anonymous To Protect Their Safety and Privacy?

It is possible for survivors to remain anonymous when they come forward with their experiences. For example, survivors may be able to file a report with law enforcement anonymously or use a pseudonym when taking legal action. Though certain information may need to be disclosed for investigative purposes, your case documents can potentially be excluded from public records.

8. Can Human Trafficking Survivors File a Claim if Years Have Passed?

Yes, a person who was trafficked in the past may still be able to file a claim after many years have passed. Though the statutes of limitations governing human trafficking lawsuits are generally quite long, the specific deadlines depend on various factors, including:

The age of the victim
When the trafficking occurred
The specific crimes committed
The state where the case is filed

Often, the statute of limitations may be paused (“tolled”) if there is a pending criminal prosecution against the defendants in your civil case. Further, many states have opened “lookback windows” that extend the usual statute of limitations in cases involving sexual abuse. These initiatives are meant to give victims an opportunity to seek justice after missing the statutory filing deadline. Our attorneys are ready to help human trafficking survivors determine the legal deadlines governing their cases.

9. What Are Common Tools Used by Sex Traffickers?

Traffickers often use social media and other online platforms to lure and exploit their victims. Common tactics include creating fake profiles, making false promises of love or job opportunities, and using blackmail or coercion to trap their victims. Children are particularly vulnerable to online exploitation, as they often lack awareness and understanding of potential dangers.

The National Injury Law Firm™ Is Dedicated To Helping Human Trafficking Victims

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, the National Injury Law Firm™ is here to help. Our team of compassionate and experienced attorneys understands the complex and sensitive nature of human trafficking cases. We are dedicated to protecting your legal rights. Together, we can pursue justice and accountability.

Let us be your advocates in holding human traffickers accountable for their illegal activities and abuse. We offer free consultations to discuss your legal rights and options at no cost to you. Contact us online to learn more in a zero-obligation, confidential case review.

Feel the Power of Justice™

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Message

Consent acceptance*

By checking this box and submitting my request, I agree to the privacy policy of this site and consent to receive emails, phone calls and/or text message offers and communications from The National Injury Law Firm LLC. and its network of lawyers and representatives working in this area of practice at any telephone number or email address provided by me, including my wireless number if provided. I understand there may be a charge by my wireless carrier for such communications. I understand these communications may be generated using an auto-dialer and may contain pre-recorded messages and that consent is not required to utilize such services. I understand that this authorization overrides any previous registrations on a federal or state Do Not Call registry.