Shreveport Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Get Justice

Over several decades, the Diocese of Shreveport has allowed priests accused of sexually abusing minors to go free, protecting them from any consequences. A Sheveport clergy abuse lawyer can help you get compensation.

Injury Lawyer Team can help you hold religious institutions accountable for their failures to prevent child sex abuse in Louisiana, filing claims for financial compensation against churches and individuals.

We have worked with many survivors of clergy sexual abuse across the country, winning them millions of dollars in compensation. We combine years of experience in child sexual abuse cases with a compassionate approach that seeks to empower survivors.

Our goal is to help you gain closure through a civil court case and financial compensation. Having worked with childhood sexual abuse survivors, we understand the challenges they face and always strive to empower them in their healing path.

Recovery Settlements by Our Shreveport Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$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.
$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.

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Prevalence of Clergy Sexual Abuse and Priests Accused in the Shreveport Diocese

Clergy abuse statistics in Shreveport demonstrate years of church officials ignoring sexual abuse allegations and putting hundreds at risk.

Seventeen priests have been accused of sexually abusing minors in Shreveport before 1986.
ProPublica lists 26 clergy members (as of 2020) who have been credibly accused of abuse in the Diocese of Shreveport, including new credible allegations after 1986.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans, which includes the Shreveport diocese, has faced over 500 lawsuits related to sexual abuse that span decades.
The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 and is now working on a $62.5 million settlement.
In addition to bankruptcy, the Louisiana State Police began investigating the archdiocese for child sex traffickingin 2022, seizing records of all church staff earlier in 2024.

Are There Notable Roman Catholic Church Abuse Cases and Accused Priests?

Fr. William G. Allison – Allison, who worked in dioceses around the country, had multiple allegations of sexual abuse. A lawsuit was filed in 2020, naming him as an abuser. Allison died in 1987.
Fr. Sam Polizzi – Listed in the same lawsuit as Allison, Polizzi was accused of sodomizing a man staying with him at Northeast Louisiana University.
Msgr. William O’Hanlon – O’Hanlon is accused of assaulting a minor between 6 and 7 years old between 1966 and 1968.
Seby Chemmampallil – This pastor from Bossier City was found guilty of possession of child pornography and sexual abuse of animals.

What are the Most Common Forms of Clergy Sexual Abuse?

Grooming – This involves gaining a minor or vulnerable person’s trust in order to sexually abuse them.
Child Sexual Abuse – Also called molestation, any sexual contact with a child, including showing them pornography or masturbating in front of them, is a form of abuse.
Sexual Assault – Nonconsensual sexual contact or penetration is assault.
Rape – Forcible penetration of the anus, mouth, or vagina is considered rape.
Sexual Exploitation – Child pornography or using coercion to force sexual activity is exploitation.
Sexual Harassment – This includes sexualized comments, stalking, unwanted advances, and unwanted touching.

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Victim Profiles and Warning Signs in Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Research demonstrates that the typical child sexual abuse victim in religious settings is a male under the age of 14. Specific demographics vary depending on reports. The John Jay Report, which studied clergy sexual abuse from 1950 to 2002, found that 81% of victims were male, and most were between 11 and 14.

Victims may experience a loss of faith, social isolation, and distrust of authority figures due to the abuse.

According to RAINN, common symptoms of sexual abuse in children include:

Fear of being alone or away from a parent
Avoiding certain people or places
Regressive behaviors like thumb-sucking or bedwetting
Unexplained injuries or STIs
Nightmares and fear of being alone at night
Poor school performance
Anxiety and depression
Loss of interest in activities
Self-harming behavior
Changes in personality

Eligibility to File Civil Lawsuits for Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse

Our sexual abuse lawyers can assist children, parents, and adult survivors in gaining justice. This includes young people and their parents, adult sex abuse victims, and adult survivors who were sexually abused as children.

Liability in Church Sexual Abuse Cases

Depending on the specific abuse claims, we can pursue legal action against various parties.

The Louisiana clergy member who perpetrated the priest abuse may be liable for both criminal charges and civil claims for emotional damage. We can assist you in exploring your legal options against abusers in civil court.

Catholic clergy or other parties who were aware that an individual was being sexually abused but did not report it may also be held liable.

The Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Shreveport, and the Archdiocese of New Orleans may be held responsible under the theory of vicarious liability, which holds them accountable for the actions of their employees. If there were previous claims before hiring the priest, they could be accused of negligent hiring or supervision.

They may also be sued for failure to report abuse, especially if there were multiple claims.

The Time Limit to Pursue Legal Action in Shreveport

In 2021, Louisiana lawmakers passed a new law extending the statute of limitations for older childhood sexual abuse claims until June 14, 2027. This is true even if the abuse occurred decades ago. It also eliminates the statute of limitations for new claims.

Contact our law firm as soon as possible to ensure we have adequate time to seek justice.

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Types of Cases Handled by Our Shreveport Abuse Lawyers

We handle cases of sexual abuse in religious organizations of all denominations, including Roman Catholic dioceses like Shreveport, Louisiana.

Our team can pursue justice against Catholic bishops, priests, friars, nuns, church leaders, other clergy members, church staff, and administrators. We will also file civil cases against organizations like dioceses, parishes, and specific churches.

Injury Lawyer Team is experienced in seeking compensation against a variety of religious groups, such as Catholics, Protestants, Jewish synagogues, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and others.

It’s crucial to ensure the victim’s well-being and safety directly after sexual abuse. Ensure abusers can no longer gain access to them.

Report the abuse as soon as possible to the proper authorities, including the Roman Catholic Church, so that they can open an investigation.

Survivors of clergy sexual assault should contact the Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center for access to resources, counseling, and support.

Afterward, contact our law firm to learn more about your legal rights. We will begin investigating the incident and advise you of the next steps. Our process starts with an initial consultation, during which we will determine whether you have a case and gather evidence against abusers and other parties.

We have experience representing survivors of sexual abuse when they file abuse claims. We’ll help you file lawsuits and discuss all of your legal options. For example, legal options may include pressing criminal charges against Catholic clergy or trying to get Catholic clergy members to become registered sex offenders.

How Our Shreveport Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our goal is to help you seek justice by guiding you through a civil lawsuit against the responsible parties. This process includes the following steps:

Gathering details about the clergy sexual abuse;
Evaluating potential damages in a lawsuit;
Investigating the particulars of the incident;
Gathering evidence, like medical records, police reports, and witness testimony;
Speaking to professionals for expert testimony;
Crafting a demand letter for negotiations;
Negotiating with the diocese;
Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court against religious institutions if necessary.

The Cost of Hiring a Shreveport Clergy Sexual Abuse Law Firm

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we deduct our legal fees from your sexual abuse claims settlement. You owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Compensation for Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors

Compensation can include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

In a lawsuit, the court may award punitive damages to punish abusers. These damages aren’t meant to help those who have been sexually abused. Instead, they are meant to ensure others don’t wind up sexually abused.

The amount of compensation depends on factors like when the childhood sexual abuse occurred, how long it went on, and the amount of financial losses. It can also depend on whether religious institutions like the Roman Catholic dioceses can be held liable in your clergy sexual abuse claims.

Injury Lawyer Team has secured millions of dollars in compensation for victims nationwide, representing them against powerful institutions like the Roman Catholic Church. We combine expertise with a trauma-informed approach to empower survivors and ensure their stories are heard.

To schedule your free consultation with a compassionate clergy abuse lawyer, call us at 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.