Your Rights After Sexual Assault at a Hand & Stone in Pennsylvania
If you were sexually assaulted or abused by a therapist during a Hand & Stone appointment in Pennsylvania, you may be able to file a civil claim, not only against the individual responsible, but against the spa that placed you alone with them in a private room. A civil case works independently of the criminal system: you don’t need a police report, a criminal charge, or a conviction, and you don’t need to have spoken up at the time.
An appointment at a spa is built on trust and privacy. When a massage therapist exploits that trust, the harm is real, and the law recognizes it. Seeking accountability isn’t about making a scene. It’s about your safety and the safety of the next person who books that room.
Why Hand & Stone May Share Responsibility for What Happened
The therapist is responsible for their own conduct. However, Hand & Stone operates largely through franchised locations, and a location’s owner, and in some cases the broader brand, can also be held liable when negligence contributed to the abuse. Common theories include:- Negligent hiring: bringing on a therapist despite warning signs or a troubled record.
- Failure to run background checks or confirm Pennsylvania licensing.
- Ignoring prior complaints from other clients about the same therapist.
- Negligent supervision: not enforcing draping, privacy, and safety protocols.
- Failure to report: a known incident to the police or the licensing board.
Don’t Assume It’s Too Late — Deadlines May Be Longer Than You Think
Pennsylvania sets specific deadlines for filing a civil claim, and those deadlines have changed in recent years, so the safest step is to confirm your deadline directly rather than assuming it is already too late. How much time you have can depend on how old you were when the abuse happened, along with other factors. What matters is this: abuse during a Hand & Stone appointment from years ago may still be within the deadline. Waiting can quietly take the decision out of your hands. A free, confidential call with Ashley DiLiberto gives you a clear, accurate answer about your own deadline, at no cost and with no obligation.What Happens When You Reach Out
You do not need every detail, a police report, or any paperwork to get in touch. You do not need to have told anyone before. A first conversation is simply that: a conversation on your terms and at your pace. When you are ready, here is what a confidential review with Ashley DiLiberto looks like:- You share only what you are comfortable sharing. There is no interrogation and no judgment.
- Ashley explains, in plain language, whether Hand & Stone and the people involved can be held accountable and what your options are.
- If we move forward, the case is handled on contingency, with no cost unless we win.
What You Could Recover, and What This Case Could Mean
A civil claim can seek compensation for counseling and future therapy, medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and the lasting impact the abuse has had on your life. For many survivors, a case is about more than money. It is about accountability and pushing Hand & Stone to change how it protects people so no one else is harmed the same way. Survivors of Abuse PA handles these cases on contingency. Past results never guarantee a future outcome; every case is judged on its own facts.About Ashley DiLiberto
Ashley brings both the experience and the personal commitment that survivors deserve in an attorney. Ashley B. DiLiberto, Esq., is a Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer (PA Attorney ID 323701, admitted 2017, clean disciplinary record) and a Partner at Messa and Associates, P.C., in Philadelphia, where she leads the firm’s national Mass Tort Litigation Team. She has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers “Rising Star” every year since 2019 and represented survivors in the Boy Scouts of America cases connected to the $2.46 billion settlement. She offers free, confidential consultations 24/7. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.Frequently asked questions
Can I sue Hand & Stone for sexual assault?
Often, yes. A civil claim can name the therapist and the spa — including the franchise owner — where negligent hiring, supervision, or handling of complaints helped the abuse happen. A free review tells you whether you have a claim.
Does it matter that Hand & Stone is a franchise?
No — it does not put the business beyond accountability. The local franchise owner can be liable for negligence, and an attorney investigates whether the broader brand owed you a duty as well.
Do I need to have reported it to the police?
No. A civil claim is separate from any criminal case. You can pursue it even if you never reported the assault and even if no charges were ever filed.
What if the abuse happened a while ago?
Many survivors come forward years later, and older cases may still be within Pennsylvania's deadline. The only way to know your timeline for certain is a free, confidential call.
Who is financially responsible if I win?
Compensation usually comes from the business and its insurance, which is why naming the spa and its owner matters. The therapist is responsible for their conduct, but the company typically holds the resources.
How do I report a massage therapist in Pennsylvania?
If you are in danger, call 911. You can report to local police and the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy. An attorney can also explain your civil options privately and at no cost.
Will my identity be protected?
Your first conversation is confidential, and protecting your privacy is a priority. Many abuse settlements are confidential. You share only what you are comfortable with, at your pace.
How long do I have to file in Pennsylvania?
It depends on your age and when the abuse occurred, and the rules have changed in recent years. Even older cases may still qualify. A free call confirms your exact deadline.
What will it cost me?
Nothing to start. Cases are handled on contingency — no fee unless we win — and the consultation is free and confidential.
Serving sexual abuse survivors across Pennsylvania
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