Human Trafficking Lawsuits

Human trafficking lawsuits in Pennsylvania

Human trafficking is a harsh reality across the United States. Offenders include not only individual criminals but also entities whose services can be misused to facilitate exploitation. Airlines, truck stops, classified websites, and hotels are often implicated in trafficking networks. When trafficking is suspected or confirmed, investigations should extend to these businesses to determine whether their conduct, policies, or negligence enabled this modern form of slavery.

At Mountaineer Criminal Law Group, we represent survivors of human trafficking who have endured sexual exploitation or other forms of coercion. Our Pittsburgh DUI attorneys are committed to pursuing accountability and securing meaningful compensation for those harmed.

What you must know about human trafficking lawsuits

State and federal laws provide avenues for survivors to file civil lawsuits against businesses that knowingly benefit from trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), strengthened by the 2008 amendment, allows survivors to bring civil claims against entities that knowingly benefit from, participate in, or should have known they were facilitating trafficking. This includes organizations that turn a blind eye to warning signs while profiting from the underlying activity. Engaging a trusted Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help evaluate viable claims and build a strong case.

Why civil liability matters

The trafficking industry generates an estimated $150 billion annually, with sexual exploitation accounting for approximately $99 billion each year. Curtailing the services, platforms, and venues that traffickers rely on disrupts their business model and reduces opportunities for abuse. Civil litigation helps shift costs back to facilitators, deters future misconduct, and amplifies survivors’ voices.

Organizations leading the fight

• National Center on Sexual Exploitation
• World Without Exploitation

These groups advocate for stronger laws, corporate accountability, and survivor-centered support. Their work complements civil actions that hold facilitators responsible and encourage industry-wide reforms. If you are navigating reporting or litigation, a seasoned Pittsburgh DUI attorney with multidisciplinary experience can coordinate with advocacy organizations and law enforcement partners.

Our commitment to accountability

Mountaineer Criminal Law Group is dedicated to pursuing every responsible party—from individuals to corporations—that contributes to trafficking. We focus on survivor-centered representation, trauma-informed communication, and strategic litigation aimed at deterrence and justice.

The power of survivor voices

When survivors share their experiences, others gain the courage to come forward. Public accountability pressures businesses to improve policies, train staff, and report suspicious activity. Your decision to seek justice can create ripple effects—protecting future victims and prompting systemic change. Our team stands ready to guide you through each step of the process with discretion and respect. A knowledgeable Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can advise on legal safeguards, evidentiary needs, and options for confidentiality where available.

What Is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking often draws attention for sexual exploitation, but it also includes forced labor and other forms of coercion across many industries. Cases can involve domestic servitude, sweatshop factories, construction sites, restaurants, hotels, and forced sexual exploitation in marriages or intimate partner violence contexts. Because trafficking can mirror elements of domestic violence, identifying and categorizing incidents can be challenging. This is one reason careful legal analysis and survivor-informed advocacy are essential; in complex fact patterns, a Pittsburgh DUI attorney familiar with multidisciplinary investigations can help coordinate the right resources.

The federal legal definition

In 2000, President William Jefferson Clinton signed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the first comprehensive federal law addressing modern trafficking. The statute defines trafficking as “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person” for labor or commercial sex through “force, fraud, or coercion.” This framework underpins criminal prosecutions and civil actions, including claims brought under the TVPRA.

Data and trends

Reliable data on trafficking is inherently difficult to gather due to underreporting and the hidden nature of the crime. Nonetheless, multiple sources—including reporting highlighted by Forbes—identify trafficking as one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. Civil suits in recent years have targeted websites, hotels, and airlines for alleged roles in facilitating or ignoring signs of trafficking. If you believe a business profited from your exploitation, a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can assess whether its policies, training, or patterns of conduct create grounds for liability under federal or state law.

Additional federal protections

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (2015) enhances penalties and provides new tools to hold accountable those who knowingly receive services from trafficking victims. Combined with TVPRA civil remedies, these statutes form a powerful legal framework to pursue justice and drive institutional change. For survivors weighing next steps, engaging a Pittsburgh DUI attorney who collaborates with civil litigators can ensure the right forum and claims are pursued.

Take the next step

If you or someone you love is a survivor seeking justice and compensation, Mountaineer Criminal Law Group can help. We provide confidential consultations, explain your legal options in clear terms, and develop a strategy tailored to your needs and safety. Our team coordinates with medical providers, advocacy organizations, and investigators to support your case from intake to resolution. Speaking with a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can clarify timelines, evidence preservation, and what to expect in civil litigation.

How we support survivors

• Trauma-informed intake and confidential consultations
• Case evaluation under TVPA/TVPRA and related state laws
• Evidence development, including digital, corporate, and witness records
• Coordination with advocacy groups and law enforcement when appropriate
• Pursuit of civil damages and other remedies against liable entities

Potential outcomes

• Compensation for medical care, counseling, lost wages, and pain and suffering
• Injunctive relief that compels businesses to reform policies and training
• Accountability that deters future misconduct and protects others

Your rights matter

Every survivor deserves a path to justice. Legal action can be empowering, whether resolved through settlement or trial. If you are ready to explore your options, contact Mountaineer Criminal Law Group for a confidential review. A dedicated Pittsburgh DUI attorney or civil litigation partner will help you take informed, measured steps toward recovery and accountability.

Confidential help is available

We will meet you where you are—at your pace and on your terms. Reach out (304) 381-3656 to schedule a private consultation with our Pittsburgh criminal lawyer. You are not alone, and you have legal rights that can be enforced.