Erie Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Get Justice in Clergy Abuse Cases

A 2018 Grand Jury Report found that child sexual abuse was more prevalent in the Catholic Church than many had previously thought. The report included multiple sexual abuse claims of young children being sexually abused by the priests or dioceses they trusted for decades. An Erie clergy abuse lawyer can help victims get the justice they deserve.

It also uncovered multiple allegations against PA dioceses, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. If you have been a victim of clergy assault, you need to seek legal assistance. Injury Lawyer Team is here to help Erie victims navigate the court system and recover the compensation they need.

When it comes to sensitive legal matters, you need a legal team with expertise and compassion. Injury Lawyer Team has a proven track record of helping Erie victims seek justice and compensation through a civil lawsuit against the diocese.

With our extensive experience, our Pennsylvania lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of clergy sexual abuse. We understand the profound impact of these traumatic events and are committed to supporting people as they pursue the verdict they deserve for the harm they’ve endured.

Settlements Recovered by Our Erie Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$2,800,000 Financial compensation for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by religious officials.
$4,100,000 Settlement for a woman who was assaulted and raped by a deacon at a large Midwestern religious establishment.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was abused as a child. This case was settled during litigation, despite repeated attempts at a cover-up and to dismiss it on the grounds of an expired statute of limitations.
$14,200,000 Recovery for six young men who were groomed and fondled by a priest at a religious school. The priest was hired at the school despite a known record of many instances of abuse at other parishes.

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Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Erie

Catholic priests and other church leadership have been sexually abusing children and other clergy members for decades. Here are a few surprising Erie, PA, clergy abuse statistics to know:

The Pennsylvania Attorney General conducted a Grand Jury Report in 2018, finding that 301 priests in six states had sexually abused over 1,000 children.
The 900-page report included multiple reports of abuse, including an Erie, PA, priest who had assaulted at least a dozen young boys. The report also found a total of 41 predator priests in Erie, PA, alone.
The Catholic Diocese of Erie has paid out over $31.35M, with $16.6M for victims of decades of sex crimes in the church.
Based on settlement claims, more than 90% of the credible allegations received against the Pennsylvania diocese occurred before 1990.

Names of priests continue to be added to the list, with additional reports each year. It’s predicted that potentially thousands more people will continue coming forward as more predators are listed.

Are There Notable Catholic Church Abuse Cases and Accused Priests?

Over 62 Erie priests have been named abusers based on the list. Here are a few notable Catholic Church abuse cases in Erie, Pennsylvania:

David Poulson: The Attorney General of Pennsylvania charged a Catholic Priest of the Erie Diocese with the sexual abuse of two young boys. The diocese reportedly knew, but failed to report it. Poulson was sentenced to two years and settled one of the claims [4].
Michael P. Allison: Allison was accused of molesting several young minors. He was added to the list in 2024.
Donald Bolton: Bolton was convicted after the parents of two young girls came forward to report the sexual abuse. He was charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors, completed three years of probation, and entered into a treatment program.
Sean P. Kerins: Kerins was suspended after inappropriate communication with a minor, where he was investigated and included on the Pennsylvania Grand Jury list.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Claim

Filing a claim can help victims recover the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, counseling services, or pain and suffering. However, to file a lawsuit, survivors must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Eligibility to file an abuse claim includes:

Child victims and their parents: Parents can file on behalf of children.
Adult victims: Individuals who were abused or assaulted as adults are eligible.
Adult survivors: Adults who suffered as minors can also file.

Proving liability is an important part of a civil abuse case. Pennsylvania law allows survivors to seek compensation from the religious institution, clergy member, or through vicarious liability.

Individual liability may be on predator priests accused and convicted of sexual abuse. Clergy members who commit these crimes can face both criminal charges and civil liability. Institutional liability occurs when the diocese is negligent in hiring or supervising.

Clear evidence of the diocese’s negligence causing the harm must be established to hold the diocese liable.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim in Erie

Pennsylvania law requires sex abuse survivors to report and file the claim within two years from the date of the alleged abuse. However, a recent Pennsylvania legislature change allows those abused after January 1, 2019, to file a civil claim against their perpetrator until their 55th birthday. [§ 5533(b)(2)]

Types of Cases Handled by Our Erie Clergy Abuse Lawyers

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to seeking justice, whether against a Catholic diocese, the priest, or another religious organization.

The Catholic Church has been under strict investigation since the Grand Jury report. However, it has also occurred in other religious organizations.

Our law firm also handles cases involving clergy crimes and cover-ups in many Pennsylvania dioceses, including the Diocese of Harrisburg, the Diocese of Scranton, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Here are a few steps to take as a survivor of sexual clergy abuse to ensure your safety and well-being:

Report the Incident: Report the incident as soon as possible to protect the survivor.
Collect Evidence: Holding abusers accountable requires evidence. Time-sensitive evidence may also be necessary for your civil lawsuit.
Consult With a Lawyer: Our law firm offers a confidential case evaluation, which allows you to explore your legal options.
Seek Support: Local support through the United Way of Pennsylvania or Erie Gives can help victims deal with the psychological impacts of sexual abuse.

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How Our Erie Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our legal team offers a confidential consultation to explore your options free of risk. If you decide to work with us, you can expect our team to complete our own investigation and gather the necessary evidence.

Once we build a strong case, we’ll file a lawsuit against the proper party. From here, we’ll walk you through the negotiation or trial process. Settlements are common in cases of sexual abuse, especially against the diocese. However, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer.

The Cost of Hiring an Erie Clergy Abuse Attorney

Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing if we don’t win your case.

Compensation for Catholic Diocese Clergy Abuse Victims

Compensation for medical expenses, counseling services, and emotional distress may be available to sexual abuse survivors. How much you receive will depend on the details of the abuse, how long ago it occurred, the damages, and the evidence available for your sexual abuse case.

In cases of gross misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the offender and deter similar behavior in the future.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Our experienced Erie clergy abuse attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate and expert legal support for clergy abuse survivors. We offer a thorough and sensitive approach to seeking justice and securing compensation for your pain and suffering. We’ll help with an investigation and stay in contact to ensure you always know what’s going on with your case.

If you or a loved one has been affected, let us help you navigate this challenging time and pursue the verdict you deserve. Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation, or fill out our online contact form

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.