Los Angeles Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Ensure Sexual Predators are Held Financially Responsible

Clergy sexual abuse has left a devastating impact on countless individuals and families, including many in Los Angeles. An independent investigation of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles revealed that over 200 priests had been accused of clergy abuse within the diocese, highlighting the need for child sexual abuse survivors to come forward and seek the justice they deserve. A Los Angeles clergy abuse lawyer can help you seek justice.

If you are a survivor of childhood abuse by a clergy member, you need to seek legal counsel. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to standing with survivors, offering compassionate legal support to help them claim the compensation they deserve.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we specialize in representing survivors, providing the support they need to navigate the complexities of the legal process of filing civil actions. Our clergy sexual abuse attorneys have secured significant settlements for sexual assault victims, ensuring they receive compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm they’ve endured.

Our legal team of sexual abuse attorneys combines extensive experience with deep empathy, recognizing the sensitivity of these cases. We approach each claim with care and respect, ensuring sexual abuse survivors feel heard and supported. Our mission is to seek justice and facilitate financial recovery for survivors in Los Angeles, standing by your side throughout the entire process.

Settlements Recovered by Our Los Angeles Clergy 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 criminal record at other parishes.
$4,100,000 Settlement for a woman who was assaulted and raped by a deacon at a large Midwestern Catholic church.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who experienced sexual abuse as a child. This case was settled during litigation, despite the church’s repeated attempts to dismiss it on the grounds of an expired statute of limitations.
$1,101,000 Settlement for a woman who was sexually assaulted by a janitor at a Catholic School as a child.

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Prevalence of Childhood Clergy Sexual Abuse in Los Angeles

Sadly, clergy abuse is not an isolated issue. Los Angeles has seen many allegations over the years, shedding light on the widespread nature of abusive clergy members within a religious institution. Some statistics include:

According to a 2019 report, over 200 priests within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles were accused of childhood sexual abuse and other forms of misconduct.
The Archdiocese has paid over $740 million in settlements to survivors of clergy sexual abuse after legal action.
The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) found that Los Angeles had one of the highest numbers of reported cases in the United States.

These statistics highlight the alarming prevalence of sexual abuse in religious institutions and the pressing need for survivors to come forward and hold these institutions accountable. Child victims can work with attorneys to take legal action and pursue justice.

Are There Notable Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Clergy Members in LA?

Over the years, numerous high-profile cases relating to religious organizations have emerged in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Some notable cases involving the Roman Catholic Church include:

Father Michael Baker: Accused of molesting over 20 boys between 1974 and 2000. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison when victims came forward to pursue justice.
Cardinal Roger Mahony: Allegedly helped cover up multiple sexual abuse cases during his tenure, resulting in significant settlements.
Father Lawrence Lovell: Convicted of molesting two boys in the 1980s, his case was one of many that led to major changes in how the Church handled allegations.

These cases are only a few examples of the systemic problem of California clergy abuse, underscoring the importance of pursuing legal claims to ensure the church is held accountable and to punish those who committed crimes. Some cases also involve other clergy members who helped cover up cases involving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

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What are the Most Common Forms of Clergy Misconduct?

Clergy misconduct can take many forms, and survivors often experience a wide range of violations, including:

Sexual assault: This includes any form of unwanted sexual contact or advances by a clergy member.
Grooming behaviors: Clergy members may manipulate or groom their victims, establishing trust before exploiting them.
Psychological manipulation: Some clergy members use their position of authority to control or exploit vulnerable individuals emotionally.

What is the Profile of Clergy Sexual Assault Victims?

It can affect anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. However, victims often share some common characteristics. Clergy misconduct usually targets vulnerable individuals.

Many survivors experienced abuse as children or adolescents, falling victim to childhood sexual abuse. Adult victims frequently include those seeking spiritual guidance, who instead found themselves exploited by trusted religious figures.

The consequences of childhood clergy sexual abuse are profound and long-lasting. Survivors often struggle with emotional trauma in the form of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, difficulty trusting others, and feelings of shame and guilt.

What are the Common Signs of Clergy Child Sexual Abuse?

Childhood sexual abuse can be difficult to detect, but some common signs to watch for include:

Behavioral changes: Such as withdrawal from social activities or extreme anxiety.
Nightmares or trouble sleeping: A child may struggle with distressing thoughts related to the abuse.
Avoidance of religious activities or individuals: A reluctance to attend church or be near certain clergy members.
Unexplained injuries: Bruising or other signs of physical abuse could be a red flag.
Age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual behavior: This knowledge may indicate the child has been exposed to sexual situations or child pornography.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Civil Claims Lawsuit

Survivors may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit to seek monetary compensation under California law. Those who can file include child victims and their parents, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and adult victims of abuse or assault. When a minor has been subjected to sexual abuse, both the child and their parents may have grounds to sue.

Liability in clergy abuse cases can extend to both individual perpetrators and the institutions overseeing them. Individual clergy members may face criminal charges and civil liability if they help cover up allegations. Religious institutions can be held responsible under various legal theories, including negligent hiring or supervision, failure to report abuse, and vicarious liability.

Proving the connection between an institution’s negligence and the abuse is critical to holding these organizations accountable.

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The New Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations for Filing Civil Lawsuits According to California Law

California has made significant changes to the statute of limitations for clergy abuse cases. As of 2024, adult survivors can file civil lawsuits until age 40 or within five years of discovering the psychological injury was caused by childhood sexual abuse, whichever is later. This applies to cases that happened before 2024.

However, if the child sexual abuse occurred after 2024, there is no statute of limitations. (AB 452, § 340.1)

Types of Cases Handled by Our LA Clergy Abuse Attorneys

At Injury Lawyer Team, we handle various types of clergy abuse cases:

Abuse by priests, pastors, and other religious leaders: We represent survivors who were sexually abused in Catholic, Protestant, and other religious institutions.
Cases involving specific dioceses: Our firm handles cases in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Our lawyers strive to punish abusers and hold the church accountable.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of abuse, here are the steps to take to ensure your well-being. First, prioritize your immediate safety by contacting emergency services if in danger. Get medical care to treat any injuries and document the abuse.

Next, document any instances of abuse thoroughly, including dates, times, and details. Then, seek legal help by contacting a Los Angeles clergy abuse lawyer for a confidential consultation to understand your options.

If you’re based in Los Angeles, take advantage of local resources, such as the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which offers support for survivors. Organizations like Peace Over Violence provide additional support and counseling services for abuse survivors in Los Angeles.

How Our Los Angeles Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, our experienced attorneys are committed to supporting you throughout your legal journey. Our law firm will provide a free initial consultation and case evaluation to understand your situation and explain your options to seek compensation. If you proceed, we will begin an official investigation to gather evidence.

This may involve gathering proof of monetary damages, such as lost income. We’ll interview other survivors and determine if there was a cover up involved. These steps are necessary to determine who is liable before we file suit.

Once the investigation is complete, we will file a lawsuit in the California courts on your behalf and represent you in settlement negotiations to secure fair compensation. We’re fully prepared to represent you in a legal battle at trial to obtain justice, if necessary, always advocating for your best interests.

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The Cost of Hiring a Los Angeles Clergy Abuse Attorney

We work on a contingency fee basis at Injury Lawyer Team, meaning you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. You always get a free consultation, too.

Compensation and Legal Options for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Survivors of clergy abuse may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, punitive damages, and emotional distress. The amount of compensation received will depend on the nature of the abuse and the severity of the damages. Some judges will award punitive damages after you file claims to deter future crimes.

If you have been affected by the devastating and immoral act of clergy abuse, contact Injury Lawyer Team today for a free, confidential consultation. We will provide compassionate and professional support to help you seek justice and receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.

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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.