New Orleans Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Clergy Abuse Victims Get Justice

The Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana, has spent decades shielding religious leaders from consequences for molestation and assault. Sexual abuse survivors have now come forward to pursue legal action, leading to hundreds of lawsuits against Catholic priests. A New Orleans clergy abuse lawyer can help you fight for compensation.

If you or a loved one has been sexually abused by a priest or other religious leader, Injury Lawyer Team can assist you in filing a civil clergy abuse lawsuit.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we have a proven track record of success in obtaining financial compensation in sexual abuse lawsuits against the Catholic Church and other religious organizations nationwide.

We combine decades of experience with a compassionate approach, making us uniquely qualified to assist victims of sexual abuse.

Our goal is to empower survivors and protect their legal rights throughout the legal process. We hold religious institutions accountable for their failures and ensure survivors receive the compensation they deserve, helping them obtain closure.

Settlements Recovered by Our New Orleans Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was abused 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.
$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 abuse at other parishes.
$1,101,000 Settlement for a woman who was sexually assaulted by a janitor at a Catholic School as a child.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.

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Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of New Orleans

Clergy abuse statistics demonstrate that the Archdiocese has silenced victims of sexual abuse and protected dangerous church leaders from repercussions for decades.

As of April 2024, 550 sexual misconduct victims have come forward with credible accusations of sexual assault or abuse by Louisiana clergy members.
A 48-page memorandum obtained by The Guardian in 2023 detailed 70 clerics who sexually abused victims in New Orleans over decades.
Further investigation by The Guardian that year found over 300 people employed in Roman Catholic institutions in New Orleans were accused of sexually abusing children or vulnerable individuals. Still, only 25% of these were ever placed on the archdiocese’s lists.
The archdiocese has spent over $36.3 million litigating its bankruptcy, which began in 2020.
The Louisiana State Police has been investigating the New Orleans Archdiocese since 2022, specifically about former priest Lawrence Hecker. In April 2024, they served a search warrant at the Archdiocese, which included all personnel records for every clergy member, including those reassigned elsewhere. The Archdiocese employs approximately 5,000 people.
Bishop-Accountability, a nonprofit that collects the names of those accused of clergy sexual abuse, lists 101 individuals connected to the Archdiocese.

Are There Notable Catholic Priest Child Abuse Cases in the Roman Catholic Church?

Lawrence Hecker – Hecker was charged with physically overpowering and raping a New Orleans boy in 1975. He has been accused by over a dozen different sexual misconduct victims, and he acknowledged at least 6 of them in a 1999 statement provided to archdiocesan superiors.
Br. Harold Ehlinger – Ehlinger is one of multiple priests accused of child sexual abuse that took place at two orphanages, which have been responsible for over 100 claims against the archdiocese. According to one victim, Ehlinger and others would wear masks while raping boys so they could not be identified.
Deacon George Brignac – Brignac was accused multiple times of sexual abuse, including in 1978, 1980, and 1988, but escaped justice each time. He was arrested in 2019 on rape charges but died while awaiting trial.
Fr. Paul Calamari – Calamari was accused of molestation multiple times, both before and after being ordained. He was able to collect pension payments after being forced to retire due to allegations of sexual abuse.

Let’s discuss the specifics of your case

What are the Common Forms of Clergy Sexual Abuse?

Grooming – This involves an adult manipulating a minor into engaging in sexual activity.
Sexual Harassment – Sexualized comments, stalking, unwanted sexual attention, and unwanted touching can all be sexual harassment.
Rape – Any forcible penetration of the anus, mouth, or vagina without consent can be considered rape.
Abuse of Authority – Louisiana clergy members who use their position as church officials to demand sexual activity or favors are abusing their authority.
Child Sex Abuse – Any type of sexualized activity with a minor, even without touching, is a crime.
Sexual Exploitation – Taking advantage of another person’s powerlessness, such as their age or vulnerable social status, to extract sexual favors is a form of exploitation.

Reports suggest the typical victim is a male under the age of 18. A German study found that over 62.8% of sexual misconduct victims were male, and 66.7% were under 14.

The John Jay Report, which studied cases in the Catholic Church from 1950 to 2002, reported that 81% of sexual misconduct victims were male, and 51% were between 11 and 14.

Sexual assault survivors often experience severe trauma, loss of faith, and a sense of betrayal, in addition to post-traumatic stress disorder.

What are the Common Signs Among Child Victims?

According to RAINN, symptoms in young children include:

Sexually transmitted infections and genital trauma
Regressive behaviors, like bedwetting or thumb-sucking
Fear of being alone at night and night terrors
Not wanting to be left alone with certain people
Refusing to leave a parent’s side
Changes in mood and personality
Poor school performance
Self-harm or disordered eating
Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior
Not talking as much

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

Our legal team will seek justice on behalf of anyone who was sexually abused, which includes children and their parents, adult victims of sexual abuse, and adults who were abused as children.

Consult our sexual abuse attorneys

Liability in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

Both individuals and organizations can be held accountable for priest abuse.

Individual perpetrators may be criminally charged. Our team can file additional civil lawsuits to pursue damages related to the abuse.

Other clergy or church members who were aware that the abuse occurred but did not report it may be held responsible for their failure to prevent harm.

The archdiocese or the specific church may be liable if they were aware there was a potential for sexual abuse but did not adequately investigate or supervise their staff.

If the sexual abuse was related to the perpetrator’s duties as a clergy member, then the legal theory of vicarious liability may apply, which holds institutions responsible for the actions of their staff.

During our investigation, we will determine whether the archdiocese was aware of the allegations and how its actions or inactions may have implicated the organization. It’s crucial to decide on who is liable before we file civil lawsuits to pursue justice.

We understand that many survivors of sexual abuse want to go straight from their free consultation to court. However, if you pursue compensation faster, it can result in a smaller settlement because not all of the parties liable will be held accountable. That’s why we take our time to learn more about your situation during the free consultation.

The Statute of Limitations for Taking Legal Action in New Orleans

In 2021, Louisiana eliminated the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit for childhood sexual abuse. The law also included a “look back” provision (recently extended), giving survivors of abuse until June 14, 2027, to seek justice, even if the abuse happened decades prior. The new legislation also eliminated the statute of limitations for new claims.

However, as this may change, it’s important to schedule your free initial consultation as soon as possible so we can begin exploring your legal options.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Our firm can assist with a range of cases, including those involving clergy sex abuse in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In addition to Catholic sexual abuse cases, we help survivors with cases in other denominations, including Protestant, Jewish, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormon, and other faiths.

We can pursue settlements from priests, pastors, nuns, friars, and other religious leaders. We can also seek justice from the Archdiocese, parishes, and specific churches.

Getting the victim to safety and ensuring the abuser cannot contact them is the crucial first step. Report the incident to the authorities to document the abuse, then call the archdiocese, the parish, and the local church authorities to ensure they’re aware of the situation.

Key evidence that both the police and our law firm will need includes:

Medical reports
Witness statements
List of dates related to the abuse
Communication between the victim and perpetrator
Photos of any injuries
Expenses related to the incident

Survivors in New Orleans have a variety of resources available to them, which the City of New Orleans Health Department has listed on its website. These include counseling, victim advocacy, and health services.

Take legal action today

How Our New Orleans Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Can Help

We will assist in all aspects of your case, including:

Determining whether sexual abuse victims have a case
Evaluating the case for damages
Investigating the incident
Gathering evidence
Filing lawsuits
Negotiating for a settlement
If necessary, represent you in court

The Cost of Hiring Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Instead of worrying about fees, you can focus on other things, such as working with legal professionals to protect children, getting medical treatment, or finding a new church for religious instruction.

Compensation for Clergy Abuse Survivors

Compensation sexual abuse survivors may be entitled to for Louisiana clergy abuse includes:

Medical expenses
Out-of-pocket medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life

In some cases, the courts will award punitive damages meant to prevent the abuser from reoffending.

Sexual abuse victims can also include legal fees with your settlement to ensure you still get a significant settlement. Fees for things like reviewing church records will be deducted from the amount you receive.

The amount of compensation you may receive depends on many factors, including the age of the victim at the time of the abuse, how long the molestation went on, the emotional impact of the abuse, and financial losses related to the incident.

Injury Lawyer Team is passionate about advocating for victims, ensuring they receive both compensation and healing from the pain caused by sexual abuse. We have recovered millions in damages for clients nationwide and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we deduct our legal fees from your settlement. You owe us nothing unless we can win your case.

To schedule your confidential consultation with an experienced abuse attorney, call us 24/7 at 866-757-6452 or contact us online.

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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.