chevronSt. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers

A Note on Sensitive Content: This page contains descriptive content of sexual violence that may be triggering or distressing.

Missouri Human Trafficking Lawyers

No one should have to endure the trauma of human trafficking. If you survived this type of exploitation, you may have legal options to hold the people and businesses that contributed to your abuse accountable. A human trafficking lawyer can explain your rights and help you pursue a civil claim with compassion and respect, separate from any criminal proceedings.

At Cofman Townsley, we represent survivors across Missouri with care, discretion, and respect for the devastating situations they’ve been through. Trafficking rarely happens in isolation. Traffickers often rely on hotels, employers, online platforms, and property owners who look the other way.

Missouri and federal law allow survivors to bring those parties into a civil lawsuit. If you’re ready, our personal injury lawyers are here to discuss your options.

What Our Clients Say

“Cofman Townsley and their staff are like family. They met every need, answered every question, called us after hours, etc. They went above and beyond and made sure that we got our settlement to the fullest amount.” Jill C.

“Cofman Townsley was persistent, professional, and did an excellent job at keeping me informed all the time.”

Ashanti M.

“The Cofman Townsley team was awesome through the entire process.”

Darlana J.

“Cofman Townsley was great at helping me. They were always on time and answered any questions I had. They were very nice and patient with everything.”

ReJeane T.

“The attorneys were very responsive to my needs. Every time I called, someone got right back to me right away. I always knew what was going on because I was kept very informed about my case. I would recommend Cofman Townsley to anyone. I feel that Cofman Townsley did a wonderful job with my case. Everything was done in a professional manner. Everyone is really nice. ”

LaDawn H.

“Cofman Townsley are like family to me. They explain things thoroughly, make sure that I understand, and that I am taken care of. David Nissenholtz and Paula were super to me, and helped me through a long and difficult process where I had years of medical treatment and much stress. They care about people and take time to listen. I would refer my friends and family members to them because I trust they will take good care of them.”

William V.

“Cofman Townsley treats you like family and like you are the only client. They answered all of my questions and took time to make sure I understood. I wouldn’t change to another attorney. They have done a good job for me and I trust them, which is very important. The whole office of people is friendly. They make me feel like I am number one, and they will do the same for you.”

Darlene W.

“Cofman Townsley diligently represented me in my personal injury work comp claim and got me a fair settlement in a timely manner.”

Jeff R.

“It was a great experience. Cofman Townsley handled all the leg work for me. I appreciate all the help.”

Chris S.

“I was very pleased with the way in which my case was handled. I was treated with great respect and care. I have never had to have legal services in my life, so for a first time event this has been very easy. I would like to say that the work ethic and determination of this company was the greatest thing that I will be left with. I thank you all very much!”

Johnny M.

“David did an amazing job with my case and communicating with me. His professionalism and concern with my progress meant a lot to me. I really appreciate everything he and his staff did for me. Thank you all.”

Carey G.

“Cofman Townsley are a great team of lawyers who go out of their way to do the BEST for their clients. They stay on you and get you the largest settlement they can.”

Peggy T.

“I really appreciate what they have done for me. I was treated excellently and if something ever happens again, they would be the first people I would call.”

Amber A.

“They have great attention to detail and [provide] a wonderful level of comfort during tough times.”

Matt C.

“Thank you. You guys were very fast, considerate, and friendly. I really appreciate it.”

Michael S.

What Human Trafficking Is Under the Law

Human trafficking means using force, fraud, or coercion to make someone perform labor or a commercial sex act. Under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, this includes recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining a person for that purpose. The exploitation can be sexual, or it can involve forced work.

The law treats children differently. When the person being exploited for a commercial sex act is under 18, there is no need to prove force, fraud, or coercion. The survivor’s age is enough.

Trafficking takes more than one form, and a civil claim can follow from any of them:

  • Sex Trafficking: Forcing or coercing someone into commercial sexual activity, or any commercial sex act involving a minor
  • Labor Trafficking: Compelling someone to work through threats, debt, or physical control, often in agriculture, construction, or domestic work
  • Domestic Servitude: Trapping a person in unpaid or barely paid household labor, sometimes hidden inside a private home

Sex Trafficking Claims in Missouri

Survivors of sex trafficking can pursue a civil claim to recover money for the harm they endured. This is your own case, brought on your behalf, and it does not depend on whether a prosecutor files criminal charges.

A civil claim can reach beyond the individual trafficker. Businesses that knowingly benefited from the trafficking may share responsibility, including hotels and motels, online platforms that advertised the exploitation, landlords, and others who profited or deliberately ignored what was happening. Identifying every responsible party is often where an experienced legal team makes the biggest difference.

You may be entitled to compensation for medical care, counseling, lost income, and the emotional harm you carry. We approach these cases the way survivors deserve, with privacy and without judgment.

Labor Trafficking Claims Across Missouri

Trafficking is a real and documented problem in Missouri. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 272 trafficking cases were identified in the state in 2024, involving 539 people. Missouri sits at the center of the country’s highway network, and the Missouri Department of Transportation notes that rest stops, gas stations, and hotels along those routes can be prime locations for traffickers.

Labor trafficking is often overlooked, but it happens throughout Missouri, including in rural areas. Workers may be trapped in agriculture, construction, restaurants, cleaning services, or private homes. Traffickers control them through unpayable debts, threats, confiscated documents, or the fear of being reported to authorities.

If you were forced to work under those conditions, you may have a civil claim against the people and companies that exploited you. This is true regardless of your immigration status. Civil protections for trafficking survivors do not depend on citizenship, and you do not have to face immigration questions alone to pursue accountability.

Civil and Criminal Trafficking Cases Are Not the Same

The state brings criminal cases to punish traffickers. A civil case is different. It’s your own legal action, aimed at recovering money and holding responsible parties accountable for what they did to you.

You do not need a criminal conviction to bring a civil claim. In fact, you can pursue a civil case even if prosecutors never filed charges, or if the trafficker was found not guilty. The two systems run on separate tracks and use different standards of proof.

Privacy is often a central concern for survivors, and the civil system accounts for that. Courts can allow survivors to proceed under a pseudonym, such as Jane Doe or John Doe, so their name does not have to appear in the public record.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

Traffickers are the most obvious defendants, but they are rarely the only ones. The businesses and property owners who made the exploitation possible can share civil responsibility when they knew, or deliberately ignored, what was happening on their watch.

Hotels and motels are a common example. When a national chain is involved, responsibility can be tangled across parent companies, franchise owners, and management companies. Sorting out that structure is part of building the case, and it can open the door to insurance coverage that helps make a recovery meaningful.

Trafficking often moves along Missouri’s busiest corridors, including the interstates that meet in the St. Louis metro. Commercial properties, motels, and truck stops along those routes can become part of how traffickers operate and who may be held accountable.

Compensation a Survivor May Pursue

Money cannot undo what happened, but a civil recovery can help a survivor rebuild and pay for the care they need going forward. Depending on the facts, a claim may seek compensation for several kinds of harm:

  • Medical and Mental Health Care: Past treatment along with ongoing therapy and counseling
  • Lost Income: Wages you were denied and a reduced ability to earn in the future
  • Pain and Suffering: The emotional and psychological toll of the exploitation you survived
  • Punitive Damages: In some cases, additional damages meant to punish especially egregious conduct

Separate from a lawsuit, state and federal victim compensation funds may also be available to help cover certain costs. We can help you understand which paths fit your situation.

Time Limits to File a Trafficking Claim

Civil claims are subject to a statute of limitations, which is a deadline for filing. The rules for trafficking and abuse claims can be complex, and they have been changing, so it is best to talk with a lawyer about your specific situation rather than rely on a single number.

Missouri has been actively considering reforms that affect how long survivors have to come forward. Because trauma can delay a person’s ability to take action, these deadlines matter, and they may affect your options. The sooner you reach out, the more time we have to help protect your right to pursue a claim. You can start with a free, confidential consultation.

How a Trafficking Lawyer Helps, and How We Work

Facing the people and institutions that harmed you is not something you should have to do alone. Our role is to carry that weight. We can investigate what happened, identify every party that may be responsible, and handle the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.

Our attorneys are experienced in standing up to insurance companies and large institutions, and we approach survivors’ cases with the discretion they call for. As a civil personal injury firm, we can also connect your situation to the firm’s broader personal injury practice when related claims come into play.

Cost should not stand between you and answers. You don’t pay us anything unless we get money for you. There is no fee to talk with us and learn where you stand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Survivors often have the same questions when they first reach out. Here are answers to a few of them.

Can I File a Civil Lawsuit if There Was No Criminal Case or the Trafficker Was Found Not Guilty?

Yes. A civil claim is separate from the criminal system and does not depend on a conviction. You can pursue a civil case even if charges were never filed, or if the trafficker was acquitted, because civil cases use a different standard of proof and are brought on your behalf rather than by the state.

Can I Sue a Hotel or Motel for Human Trafficking in Missouri?

Possibly. A hotel or motel may share civil responsibility if it knowingly benefited from trafficking or ignored clear signs of it on its property. When a chain is involved, liability can extend across the franchise owner, management company, and parent company, which is something we investigate closely when building a case.

Will My Name Be Public if I Bring a Trafficking Claim?

Often it does not have to be. Courts can allow trafficking survivors to proceed under a pseudonym such as Jane Doe or John Doe to protect their privacy in the public record. We can discuss the privacy protections that may apply to your case during a confidential consultation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Human Trafficking Lawsuit in Missouri?

There is a deadline, called the statute of limitations, but the rules for trafficking and abuse claims are nuanced and have been changing. Rather than rely on a single figure, talk with a lawyer as soon as you can so your specific deadline can be confirmed and your right to file protected.

Do I Have Legal Options if I Am Undocumented?

Yes. Civil protections for trafficking survivors do not depend on your immigration status. You have the right to pursue a claim against those who exploited you, and you should not let fear about immigration keep you from learning your options.

What Is the Difference Between a Human Trafficking Lawyer and a Victim Advocate?

A victim advocate provides emotional support, safety planning, and help connecting to services, often through a nonprofit or a prosecutor’s office. A human trafficking lawyer represents you in a civil legal claim, working to hold responsible parties accountable and recover compensation. The two roles complement each other, and many survivors work with both.

What Does It Cost to Work With Cofman Townsley?

Nothing upfront. You don’t pay us anything unless we get money for you, and the initial consultation is free and confidential. That way you can understand your options without any financial risk.

Talk With a Missouri Human Trafficking Lawyer Today

You survived something no one should have to endure, and you do not have to carry the next step alone. When you are ready, the personal injury lawyers at Cofman Townsley are here to listen, in confidence and without judgment, and to help you understand what a civil claim could mean for you.

Let us fight for the money you deserve. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation, or reach out through our contact page. You don’t pay us anything unless we get money for you.