Clergy Abuse Lawyer Jersey City NJ

Helping Clergy Abuse Victims Discover Compassionate Support

The Catholic Church has been a significant news topic for the last few decades, as hundreds of sexual abuse victims have come forward. The church’s reputation is affected, with numerous credible cases, many of which involved children. Religious institutions are also being accused of covering up claims to protect members, making it crucial to work with a Jersey City clergy abuse lawyer.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark has its fair share of abusers named. Older victims often experience lasting effects, such as emotional pain, depression, or PTSD. Injury Lawyer Team has a proven track record of offering compassionate dedication to sexual misconduct survivors.

Our law firm aims to serve justice and hold abusive perpetrators accountable in civil court, even if they are not from the Catholic church. This includes religious leaders and institutions such as Protestant churches and Jewish synagogues.

Injury Lawyer Team has the expertise sexual abuse victims need when pursuing compensation. We have successfully represented other clients who have suffered harm, helping them access the resources they need to begin the critical healing process.

Our team focuses on a supportive approach, offering unconditional guidance, legal expertise, and a helping hand throughout the legal process. Mistreatment is never okay, especially at the hands of a religious order you and your family trusted. We’re here to help people speak out against them and obtain the financial compensation they deserve. Contact us for a consultation.

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Financial Compensation Recovered by Our Jersey City Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers

$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 at other parishes.
$1,222,000 Settlement for an adult man who was sexually assaulted while attending a church-sponsored summer camp.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was abused as a child. This case was settled during litigation despite repeated attempts by the church to dismiss the case based on an expired statute of limitations theory.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.

Prevalence of Catholic Church Sexual Abuse

Hundreds of abusive members have been named in New Jersey. Here are a few statistics to know in New Jersey:

In total, New Jersey Catholic dioceses named 188 priests and deacons who were credibly accused of sexual assault. However, more than half of the list are no longer living.
A secondary source published an updated list, which included 300 priests, nuns, monks, and other members, many of whom were not listed in the original resource.
The Newark Archdiocese released a list of members accused of sexual abuse, which included more than 60 priests. 42 priests and deacons on the list had Hudson County connections.
In a single year, over 230 lawsuits were filed against New Jersey clergy members, reporting claims of sexual crimes, with the Newark archdiocese being named in 94 of the lawsuits.

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Are There Credible Clergy Sexual Abuse Accusations Against Catholic Dioceses?

With a history of members perpetrating sexual abuse in New Jersey dating back to the 1940s, there have been many accused, convicted, and sued. Here are a few cases:

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick: One of the most noteworthy cases was former high-ranking Theodore McCarrick. He abused a 16-year-old altar server in the 1970s. Additional people with allegations eventually came forward, and he was dismissed from the Vatican in 2019. However, he has since been ruled incompetent to stand trial.
Keith F. Pecklers: Pecklers settled a claim involving a teenager in the 1970s at St. Paul’s.
Thomas A. Stanford: Stanford settled a case involving a teenager in the mid-1980s when he was a deacon at St. Paul’s.
Donald Richard: Richard settled a case in court in 2021 after he sexually abused a teenage girl. Others then came forward against Richard.

What Are Common Sex Crimes Perpetrated by New Jersey Clergy Members?

Sexual abuse in the church may take on many forms, including the following:

Inappropriate words, communication, or text messages: Sending inappropriate text messages or discussing sexual themes with a child.
Pornography: Pornography images involving a child are subject to both civil and criminal penalties.
Harassment: Offensive, harassing behaviors involving threats, intimidation, or physical contact.
Sexual Assault: Assault involves nonconsensual touch of another person or child. It may also include aggravated sexual assault, such as rape.

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The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

The typical victim is usually someone who has placed their trust in the abuser, often making it even more challenging to speak out against them.

These individuals are in a unique position of power that gives them influence over other clergy members, students, or volunteers. In many cases, survivors of abuse are children or teenagers who may not come forward for many years.

The consequences of sexual abuse can be physical, psychological, and financial. A childhood sexual abuse victim may require medical care due to injury, pregnancy, or STDs. The psychological impacts may include years of pain, suffering, and trauma.

Victims often experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD. They may carry trauma with them into their adult lives, impacting future relationships, careers, and personal well-being.

What Are Common Signs of Abuse In Children?

Parents can help protect their children from sexual abuse by looking for common signs:

Inappropriate jokes or play involving sexual themes
Withdrawal from friendships or activities once enjoyed
Unexplained injuries, especially to sexual parts
Sudden fear of the priest, pastor, or other leader
Sudden mood changes
Sleep difficulties
A general distrust in those around them
Grooming behaviors, such as unexplained gifts or money

Eligibility to File a New Jersey Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim

Filing a clergy sexual abuse claim allows clients to seek justice and recover the compensation they need to heal. The law allows sexual abuse survivors of every age to seek civil compensation.

Parents may file a civil claim on behalf of their kid is under legal age for compensatory damages. An adult victim also has the right to file a lawsuit in court against the perpetrator. In some cases, adult survivors who were sexually abused as children may qualify for a civil case, but it can depend on when the act occurred and what their age was.

It’s important to hold individuals liable when sexual abuse or assault occurs in the church. The priest, pastor, or other clergy members may be responsible if they committed sexual abuse or failed to report it. Individuals may face criminal charges or civil lawsuits.

Institutional liability covers the wrongdoing of the church or diocese. The religious organization may be liable under vicarious liability if it was negligent in hiring, supervising, or failing to report the sexual assault that was committed promptly.

A survivor may suffer the rest of their life. Proving negligence in a sexual assault case requires clear evidence and proof of negligent behavior. Working with a team familiar with the state’s code relating to this specific matter is always a good idea.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit

New Jersey has time limits on how long victims can file a civil suit against the perpetrator, which has recently changed.

Before 2019, victims who had been sexually abused had just two years after the abuse occurred to file a civil lawsuit. A child victim of sexual assault or abuse had until their 20th birthday.

Under the new legislation, the statute of limitations is extended to the victim’s 55th birthday or within seven years of the discovery of harm.

The success of your civil suit depends on the state’s statute of limitations. Contact Injury Lawyer Team if you have questions about the new legislation and what it means for your legal eligibility. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and will work with you.

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Types of Cases Handled by Our Clergy Abuse Attorneys

Injury Lawyer Team has decades of experience helping victims seek justice from abusive clergy members.

Our law firm also has experience representing survivors of sexual assault in other religious institutions, including Protestant, Methodist, or Baptist churches.

Sexual assault is widespread in this state. Our legal team handles cases involving other state dioceses, including Camden, Metuchen, Trenton, and Paterson. Contact our law firm today for a free and confidential consultation.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Clergy Sex Abuse

The steps you take following sexual crimes are crucial for your well-being and civil legal eligibility. Here are a few key steps to take if you are the victim:

Seek medical care
File an official police report with local law enforcement
Discuss your legal rights with a free legal consultation at Injury Lawyer Team, a Jersey clergy abuse lawyer
Seek support through local resources, such as the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault or the YWCA Northern New Jersey.

It’s important to understand the profound impact this can have on your life. Working with legal professionals is only part of the support you may need. Consider a faith-based group for spiritual guidance or other local resources to ensure you have someone to help you cope.

How A Clergy Abuse Law Office Can Help

The Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to helping victims seek justice. Start the healing process by contacting our law firm for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Our team will investigate your case and collect the necessary evidence. We’ll review available civil actions and file your suit with the local courts.

Some New Jersey clergy sex abuse cases are settled outside of court. However, our law understands the importance of ensuring those guilty are held accountable. We’ll prepare for a trial if you don’t receive a fair compensation offer.

As a New Jersey clergy abuse lawyer, we have the compassion and understanding you need in an attorney. We also have the experience and determination to fight beside you, whether that’s in tough negotiations or at trial. Our lawyers understand the unique challenges that come with you or a loved one being a victim of sexual abuse cases. We work diligently to help survivors get the justice they deserve.

The Cost of Hiring a New Jersey Clergy Abuse Lawyer (Free Initial Consultation)

The cost of hiring a law office shouldn’t prevent victims from taking action. Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay for services unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Financial compensation can help facilitate the healing process that’s required for survivors. Those guilty should be held financially responsible, which means covering medical expenses, emotional distress, and services for healing psychological scars.

Monetary compensation may also be available in the form of punitive damages designed to punish the member or organization for wrongdoing. How much a victim may receive varies, depending on factors like the extent of the abuse, the injuries suffered, and the specific circumstances of the incident.

Contact Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

Injury Lawyer Team is here to help those who have survived sexual abuse recover and heal through civil liability. Our sexual abuse lawyers have the expertise necessary regarding these cases to hold an abusive member accountable under NJ law. You need a New Jersey clergy abuse lawyer on your side.

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.

Jersey City Clergy Abuse Lawyer