Allentown Clergy Abuse Lawyer

A Law Firm Helping Sexual Abuse Victims Get Justice

The Catholic Church is and has been under investigation after thousands of sexual assault victims have come forward, reporting decades of sexual abuse from priests. Reports claim that as many as 300 Catholic priests have sexually abused over 1,000 children, dating back to as early as the 1940s. Allentown, Pennsylvania, is home to a good number of these allegations. An Allentown clergy abuse lawyer can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to supporting clergy abuse survivors through specialized legal representation.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases and are committed to seeking justice for those impacted by the Catholic Church. Our team of highly experienced and compassionate lawyers has a proven track record of holding priests within the Catholic Church accountable and securing maximum compensation for survivors.

With extensive experience, our specialized legal team is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the legal process. We ensure you’re supported during this challenging time, offering expert advice and working diligently to secure a fair and substantial settlement. You won’t be navigating this alone; we’re committed to helping you seek justice while prioritizing your healing.

Settlements Recovered by Our Allentown Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$1,101,000 Settlement for a woman who was sexually assaulted by a janitor at a Catholic School as a child.
$1,222,000 Clergy abuse lawsuit settlement for an adult man who was sexually assaulted while attending a church-sponsored summer camp.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased Catholic Church priest.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.

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Prevalence of Catholic Church Abuse in Allentown

Clergy sexual abuse has become a real problem. The following clergy abuse statistics highlight the scope of this problem:

In one of the largest Grand Jury investigations, an estimated 301 Catholic priests have been credibly accused of sex crimes dating back to the 1940s.
A total of 37 clergy members and priests of the 301 from the Diocese of Allentown have been accused of child sexual assault.
It’s estimated that many have yet to come forward. Since the investigation first made news, 1,862 phone calls have been made to the clergy-abuse hotline.
Pennsylvania’s Catholic dioceses offered $84 million in compensation to 564 survivors, with cases spanning decades. Following a Grand Jury report, seven of the state’s eight dioceses established victim compensation funds, anticipating more survivors would come forward.

Who Were Notable Clergy Sex Abuse Cases and Accused Catholic Priests in the Grand Jury Report?

The Grand Jury report spans almost 900 pages, listing decades of misconduct and coverups that occurred in Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic dioceses. A total of 300 predator Catholic priests were listed.

Here are a few priests in Allentown, Pennsylvania:

James J. Agosta: Agosta was a priest who was sued for sexually abusing a young altar boy. However, he died in the 1990s, so justice was not served.
Thomas J. Bender: Bender was accused of rape of a minor. He was convicted, ordered to serve ten years in prison, and remains on lifetime probation.
Francis J. Fromholzer: Fromholzer was sued for the alleged sexual abuse of a teenage girl, including taking her on trips away from home. Justice was not served because the statute of limitations had passed.
Ronald J. Yarrosh: Yarrosh was accused and convicted of child pornography in the early 2000s. He was sent to a hospital for evaluation and treatment and eventually pleaded guilty to embezzlement. He was dismissed from the priesthood a few years later.

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What are the Common Forms of Abuse Perpetrated by Catholic Diocese Clergy Members?

Some common forms by religious officials, like a Pennsylvania priest, include the following:

Sexual: This involves non-consensual sexual activity or any sexual activity with a minor.
Emotional: The control or manipulation of another person, thus causing them emotional distress.
Verbal: Oral or written abuse of a person.
Financial: Involves the use of power to exploit financially.
Grooming: Building trust to facilitate abuse.

What is the Profile of Pennsylvania Priest Sexual Abuse Victims?

Studies show that while anyone can be a victim, most are male adolescents, typically aged 11-14. Child sex abuse survivors often experience consequences that extend long beyond the initial sexual abuse.

Many sex abuse victims in the church have since grown up and may have dealt with years of fear, trauma, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may have lost their connection with the church, leading to a lack of community.

They may have felt ashamed and embarrassed, afraid to come forward for many years. Anxiety, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), flashbacks, and pregnancy can all also occur.

What are the Common Signs of Pennsylvania Clergy Abuse Among Abused Children?

Some common signs a child may have been the victim of sexual abuse include the following:

A sudden withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed
Behavioral changes
Fear of Catholic priests, adults, or other church leadership members
Unexplained physical injuries
Pregnancy
Sexually transmitted infections
Frequent excuses to avoid attending church
School difficulties
Alcohol or drug use
Nightmares or sleepwalking
Allegations or comments
Expensive gifts without knowing the recipient

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Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

State law allows compensation through a civil lawsuit for those affected by the Catholic Church. However, filing civil lawsuits requires that most victims meet certain eligibility requirements.

Child victims and their parents may file a claim against the abuser or the church. Taking legal action against the diocese holds them financially responsible for the trauma, costs, and injuries due to the situation. The Roman Catholic diocese may be found liable, especially if it ignored or covered up the incident.

Eligibility to file a claim also extends to adult victims and adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors.

It’s crucial to work with a law firm to learn whether you have a claim. Our law firm can help those interested in holding abusers accountable. You may have legal recourse if you’ve suffered from sexual assault.

Multiple parties can be found liable when abuse occurs in the Roman Catholic diocese, including individual Catholic priests and the institutional diocese.

A clergy member may face criminal charges and civil lawsuits for abuse. Religious institutions, such as Roman Catholic dioceses, can be held liable through various legal theories, including negligent hiring, failure to supervise, and vicarious liability for not reporting or covering up abuse.

However, to seek civil compensation from the institution, it’s important to create a clear connection between the abuse and the diocese’s role in the incident(s).

The Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Claims in Allentown

In Pennsylvania, including Allentown, adult victims of sexual abuse have two years from the incident to file a civil claim. For victims of childhood sexual abuse, including those abused in the church, recent legislative changes have extended the statute of limitations. Survivors now have until their 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, regardless of when the abuse occurred. (§ 5533)

Types of Cases Handled by Our Allentown Clergy Abuse Lawyers

Injury Lawyer Team has experience helping those affected by child sexual abuse recover compensation. We have successfully represented abused children and their families against Catholic priests, pastors, and other religious leaders with a compassionate and empathetic approach.

Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has been the focus lately, but it can and does occur in other religious institutions. Our legal team is here to help you explore your legal options against church leaders in the Catholic Church, Protestant, Lutheran, Methodist, or any other denomination.

Injury Lawyer Team has a proven track record against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania. We also handle cases against other parishes, such as the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, and the Diocese of Greensburg in Greensburg, PA.

Being the victim of sexual abuse can be traumatizing. Here are a few crucial steps to take if you or your loved one is a victim of abuse:

Seek Safety: The abused person’s safety is the most important consideration. Call 911 if necessary.
Report: Always report abuse to the local authorities, whether it involves adults or minors.
Collect Documentation: Keep a copy of the police report and any other evidence you might have.
Seek Trustworthy Legal Representation: Sexual abuse cases involving the diocese require specialized law experience. A free consultation allows victims to explore their legal options.
Connect with Community Resources: It’s never too early to begin focusing on your mental well-being following abuse. Pennsylvania organizations are available to help those in emotional distress, including the Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Diocese of Allentown.

How Our Allentown Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyers Can Help

41 sexual abuse claims against Pennsylvania’s dioceses have been rejected due to a lack of evidence. Only about one-third of filed claims have been reviewed. Having a legal team with decades of experience in clergy sexual assault can be valuable to your case. The first visit with our law firm includes a free consultation and case evaluation.

Working with an experienced legal team can help ensure a comprehensive investigation into the claims. Our team also understands the importance of protecting minors throughout the process.

We’ll file a lawsuit using the information we collect during the investigation. Potential outcomes may include a settlement offer or a trial.

The Cost of Hiring an Allentown Abuse Attorney

Dealing with the emotional distress and economic damages of sexual abuse can be stressful enough. You shouldn’t also have to worry about covering the costs of legal representation if your civil claim is unsuccessful.

That’s why Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case. A free consultation also means you can discuss your legal options with a lawyer without risk.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Compensation is available for those sexually abused by Allentown, Pennsylvania, Catholic priests or dioceses. Compensation ranges depend on the details of your case, but there have been reports of settlements of up to $400,000.

Compensation may be available for medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and counseling costs. In cases involving egregious acts, punitive damages may also be awarded.

The actual value of your case will depend on the injuries and the amount of evidence available.

Too many clergy members have been accused and convicted of sexual abuse, abusing their positions of power. When you choose Injury Lawyer Team as your Pennsylvania attorneys, you can trust a team of experienced professionals who approach every case with compassion. We’re dedicated to helping Allentown survivors seek the compensation they deserve for the emotional, physical, and financial harm they’ve suffered due to priests.

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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.