Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Childhood Sexual Abuse Victims Get Compensation

Clergy sexual abuse remains a devastating issue, leaving lifelong impacts on survivors and their families. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are steadfast in our dedication to supporting survivors of clergy abuse in Rhode Island, providing compassionate and professional legal assistance. Victims need a Rhode Island clergy abuse lawyer to help them seek justice.

Choosing Injury Lawyer Team means entrusting your case to a team of experienced, dedicated professionals committed to achieving justice for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. With years of practice and numerous successful outcomes, our law firm has a proven track record of securing significant settlements and delivering justice to survivors.

Our legal professionals are not only experts in the field but are also deeply committed to providing compassionate support to our clients. We recognize the highly sensitive nature of clergy sexual abuse cases and are committed to maintaining confidentiality throughout the legal process.

Settlements Recovered by Our Rhode Island 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 record of abuse at other parishes.
$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.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.

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Understanding Abuse by Clergy Members

It refers to any inappropriate and harmful sexual behavior conducted by religious leaders or towards individuals under their spiritual guidance or authority. This abuse can take various forms, including inappropriate touching, sexual harassment, coercion into sexual acts, or rape.

What’s the Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Rhode Island?

This has been a deeply troubling issue, with numerous cases coming to light in recent years.

In 2019, a Roman Catholic church diocese in Rhode Island publicly named 50 church leaders/credibly accused priests of sexually abusing children.

In 2004, a report revealed 162 credible accusations against 56 priests.

Despite the alarming clergy abuse statistics, it is widely believed that the actual number of these cases is significantly higher.

Are There Notable Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Clergy in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has seen a lot of abuse by church officials, with numerous cases being brought to light and several priests being accused of misconduct. Some credibly accused priests in Rhode Island include:

Monseigneur Kenneth Anthony Angell: Angell faced criticism for his handling of abuse allegations during his time in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. Despite promising to address misconduct, he did not take allegations seriously, allowing multiple priests to continue to commit abuse, leading to further crimes and convictions.
Rev. Brendan Smyth: A notorious case involving Rev. Brendan Smyth, an Irish priest, linked to allegations from dozens of children in Rhode Island and Ireland. Smyth later returned to Ireland and pleaded guilty there to 141 counts. He died in prison.
Rev. Barry Meehan: In November 2014, Meehan was arrested and charged with five counts of first-degree sexual assault; he pleaded not guilty. Meehan was laicized in 2015. He died of a heart attack at age 67 in December 2016, while awaiting trial.

What are the Most Common Forms of Clergy Abuse in the Catholic Church?

Clergy abuse can manifest in various forms, each profoundly affecting the victims involved, such as:

Sexual abuse of minors
Inappropriate relationships with parishioners
Financial exploitation
Emotional and psychological abuse
Grooming

What’s the Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims?

Victims of clergy sexual abuse come from all walks of life and ages, though certain patterns are often observed. The typical victim is a minor, often vulnerable and seeking guidance, making them susceptible to manipulation. However, adult victims are not uncommon, particularly in cases involving emotional or psychological abuse.

Victims of clergy sexual abuse often suffer profound and long-lasting effects, including severe emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, and trust issues. These psychological injuries can disrupt their lives, impacting their relationships, education, and careers significantly.

What are the Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims?

Recognizing the common signs of child sexual abuse is crucial for early intervention and support. Common ones to be on the lookout for to protect children include:

Behavioral changes
Academic decline
Fear of specific individuals
Regression behaviors
Physical symptoms
Sexualized behavior

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Eligibility to File a Child Sex Abuse Claim

Victims of clergy sexual abuse have the right to get justice through civil sexual abuse lawsuits. Child victims can file a legal claim through their parents or guardians.

Adult victims of abuse or sexual assault also have the ability to pursue legal action for the harm they have endured. Additionally, adult clergy sexual abuse survivors who were sexually abused as minors may be able to file claims, even if the abuse happened many years ago.

Understanding liability in clergy member sexual abuse claims is fundamental for holding perpetrators accountable and seeking justice for victims.

Clergy members who commit sexual assault can face both criminal charges and civil liability. Criminal cases may include sexual assault, endangerment of minors, and other related offenses, which can result in imprisonment, fines, and mandatory reporting to sex offender registries.

Beyond criminal charges, victims can pursue civil actions against credibly accused predators to seek financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.

Religious organizations can also be held liable for sexual misconduct under various legal theories. A religious institution may be deemed responsible if it failed to properly screen, supervise, or address allegations against accused clergy members.

Additionally, claims of negligence or cover-up may arise if the institution did not take appropriate actions to prevent or stop the abuse. Vicarious liability can also apply, holding institutions accountable for the sexual misconduct of their employees.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Rhode Island

Under Rhode Island law, the civil statute of limitations allows victims to file sexual abuse claims against all defendants until they reach the age of 53, reflecting the understanding that it often takes many years for survivors to come forward.

Rhode Island implements a 7-year discovery rule, which means that sexual assault victims have seven years from the time they discover, or should have reasonably discovered, the abuse or its negative effects to file a child sexual abuse lawsuit.

Consult a Rhode Island clergy sex abuse attorney

Types of Cases We Handle

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to seeking justice for survivors of child sexual abuse by holding credibly accused priests, pastors, and other religious leaders accountable. Our clergy sex abuse lawyers handle cases across various religious institutions, including but not limited to:

Catholic Church: We represent survivors of childhood sexual abuse in dioceses such as the Diocese of Providence. Our team has extensive experience dealing with cases involving local parishes and church-operated schools.
Protestant Churches: Our legal services extend to those affected by childhood sexual abuse cases within Protestant denominations, ensuring that survivors from all religious backgrounds receive the support and representation they deserve. We believe everyone credibly accused of these crimes should be held accountable.
Other Religious Institutions: Beyond the Catholic and Protestant churches, we also handle cases involving abuse in other religious settings, including but not limited to synagogues and mosques.

Understanding the appropriate steps to take after experiencing clergy sexual abuse is crucial in safeguarding your legal rights and beginning the path to filing civil claims.

Immediate Steps to Ensure Safety and Well-being: The first and most crucial step is to ensure your immediate safety. If you are in danger, contact local authorities or emergency services without delay.
Importance of Documentation: It is essential to document the abuse as thoroughly as possible. This includes keeping records of any communications, medical reports, photographs of injuries, and any other relevant evidence. Write down when and where the abuse occurred, even if the abuse happened in someone’s home.
Seek Legal Help: Contact an experienced legal professional who specializes in clergy sexual abuse cases. Our attorneys have the experience in Rhode Island law necessary to hold predator priests accountable and, hopefully, get them removed from ministry.
Local Resources and Support Groups: Survivors in Rhode Island can access support through organizations like Day One, which provides comprehensive services to victims of sexual abuse, including advocacy, counseling, and support groups.

If you or someone you care about has been affected by clergy sexual abuse, taking these steps can help ensure your safety and well-being and provide a pathway to justice and healing.

How Our Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our team of clergy sex abuse lawyers is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to survivors. Here’s how we can help:

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: Our experienced lawyers offer a confidential and comprehensive consultation to discuss your case. During this meeting, we will listen to your story, answer any questions you may have, and evaluate the merits of your case.
Investigation and Gathering Evidence: Our team will conduct a thorough investigation to gather all pertinent evidence, including medical treatment records, witness statements, and any available documentation of the abuse.
Filing a Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Lawsuit: Once enough evidence has been collected, we will proceed to file sexual abuse lawsuits on your behalf. Our lawyers will explain the entire legal process, including the potential outcomes, such as settlements or court trials.
Settlement Negotiations and Trial Process: We will do our best to secure a fair settlement that addresses your needs and concerns. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.

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The Cost of Hiring a Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Attorney

At Injury Lawyer Team, we understand that financial concerns can be a significant barrier for many survivors seeking legal representation. Therefore, our Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.

This means that you do not pay any upfront fees or out-of-pocket expenses. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Our primary goal is to alleviate the financial burden on our clients, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities of your case.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Adult and childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse may be entitled to various forms of compensation for the trauma and hardships they have endured.

Compensation can cover a range of damages, including medical expenses, therapy and counseling costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and, in some cases, punitive damages designed to punish the perpetrators and prevent future misconduct.

Each case is unique, and our attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that every client who has been sexually abused receives the maximum compensation they are entitled to under the law.

If a clergy member has sexually abused you or a loved one, do not hesitate to reach out for the support and legal representation you deserve. We understand that coming forward is hard, but the experienced and compassionate attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team are committed to standing by your side every step of the way.

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.