Yonkers Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Hold the Catholic Church Accountable

The Archdiocese of New York has been accused of shielding clergy members from consequences for child sexual abuse, a practice spanning decades. Sexual violence can cause deep emotional wounds, and sexually abused victims deserve justice. A Yonkers clergy abuse lawyer can help you get justice.

If you have been a victim, you can seek legal assistance. Injury Lawyer Team empowers survivors to take legal action and seek compensation in civil court.

Settlements Recovered by Our Yonkers Clergy Abuse Lawyer

$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.
$1,222,000 Clergy abuse lawsuit 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 the church’s repeated attempts to dismiss it on the grounds of an expired statute of limitations.

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Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

Our legal team combines years of experience with a compassionate approach to help children and adults achieve closure in civil lawsuits. We have a strong track record of successful legal action against institutions such as the Catholic Church and other religious organizations.

We recognize the painful and long-lasting repercussions of molestation or sexual assault, which is why our attorneys take a trauma-informed approach. When working with our team, you can expect professionalism, unwavering support, and a deep understanding of all relevant civil statutes.

Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Yonkers, New York

Clergy statistics for Yonkers, part of the Archdiocese of New York, demonstrate the long-standing abuse that victims have suffered – and the way that the Catholic Church has attempted to protect members of the church.

In 2018, a former Yonkers priest was one of eight clergy members accused of sex crimes between 1950 and 1978. Rev. Thomas Valenti was frequently moved between churches before stepping down from service in 2018.
10 defendants from Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers were named in a child sex abuse case, including Daniel Cabrese, who had previously faced a criminal trial for sex abuse.
Over 3,000 claimants have sued the Archdiocese of New York, which includes Yonkers, under the Child Victims Act (CVA).
These civil lawsuits are estimated to cost over $859 million.
The Catholic Church spent $2.9 million lobbying against the CVA, recognizing the risk that extended timelines for child sexual abuse lawsuits would pose to its operations.

What are the Most Common Forms of Clergy Abuse?

Clergy sexual abuse can manifest in various forms, such as:

Child Sexual Abuse – Any form of sexual contact between a minor and an adult, which includes exposing them to pornography, is considered abuse or molestation.
Grooming – A predator may spend weeks or months manipulating a minor into engaging in sexual activity.
Rape – The state is currently updating its laws to define rape as nonconsensual anal, oral, or vaginal sexual contact.
Sexual Assault – State law defines this as engaging in sexual contact without the other person’s consent.
Abuse of Authority – An individual who uses their position in the church to commit sexual assault is abusing their authority.
Sexual Exploitation – This form is when a person uses fear, coercion, or manipulation to make another person engage in sex acts.
Sexual Harassment – Unwanted sexual comments, touching, stalking, or sexually motivated abuse can warrant a sexual harassment claim.

What is the Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims?

While anyone may be vulnerable in the Catholic Church, studies suggest that males under the age of 18 are the most victims. Previous research, specifically the John Jay Report, found that 81% of victims are male.

However, disclosure is often delayed by more than five years, and approximately 20% of victims never admit that they were abused. Research into abuse by the clergy acknowledges that some children may never admit they have been abused, leading to skewed statistics.

Children victimized by a clergy member may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, a loss of faith in religion, and ostracization by their community for coming forward with their stories. These can complicate the healing process for child sexual abuse survivors.

What are the Common Signs of Abuse Among Child Victims?

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network lists common signs in young children:

Sexually transmitted infections
Night terrors and trouble sleeping
Unexplained trauma, like blood on bedsheets
Fearing being alone with specific individuals
Regressive behaviors like thumb-sucking and bedwetting
Age-inappropriate sexual behaviors or knowledge
Unexplained health issues, like stomachaches
Being afraid of separating from trusted adults
Changes in eating habits
Poor school performance
Personality changes
Mood swings
Self-harm

Consult a clergy member abuse lawyer

Eligibility to File a Civil Lawsuit

A clergy sexual abuse lawyer from our firm can help the following individuals file civil lawsuits for compensation:

Victims of child sex abuse and their parents
Adult victims
Adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors

Liability in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

An attorney from our team can file a civil claim against multiple parties for compensation, including the perpetrator and the Catholic Church. Potential parties to a lawsuit include the following.

Priest or Other Religious Leader – The individual responsible for the sexual abuse can be sued for damages, like emotional trauma and financial losses due to the healing process.
Other Individuals – Fellow clergy members who knew about the abuse but failed to report it may be liable for allowing continued harm to a vulnerable person.
The Yonkers Catholic Church – The Archdiocese or the specific parish may be held liable under various legal theories. One is vicarious liability, which means they are responsible for their employees’ actions. Negligent hiring or supervision may be the basis for a claim if it can be proven that they knew the individual was potentially dangerous but hired them anyway or failed to supervise them.

Lastly, breach of fiduciary duty notes that the church has responsibilities to its congregations, including acting in their best interest and preventing harm. If they cover up potential abuse and choose to protect predatory priests, then they are negligent.

To hold a Yonkers Catholic church accountable, it must be proven that the church had a responsibility to victims, failed to discharge this duty appropriately, and caused the plaintiff to suffer damages.

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The Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims in Yonkers

Unlike many states, the New York Child Victims Act of 2019 significantly extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. Now, survivors who were minors when the abuse occurred can seek legal recourse until they turn 55 years old, regardless of when the abuse took place.

Adult victims may also be able to take a case to court up to 20 years after abuse in specific instances. This rule only applies to cases after 2019.

Our clergy sexual assault lawyers can explore the circumstances and determine whether these updated laws apply to your case.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Yonkers Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers

A clergy sexual abuse attorney from our firm can assist in cases related to the Catholic Archdiocese in Yonkers, including abuse at Saint Joseph’s Seminary. These include sexual assault cases by priests, nuns, friars, and other church faculty, such as Catholic school teachers.

We have experience pursuing legal action against other religious denominations, such as Protestant, Jewish, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

The primary focus is on getting the victim to a safe space and reporting the sexual assault as soon as possible. By reporting the crime and receiving a medical exam, you can preserve crucial evidence that can be used to bring criminal charges or to work with a sexual abuse attorney on a civil case.

After you or your loved one reports the assault, gather evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and communications. Then, contact us for a consultation, during which we will explain the legal process for a civil case.

Survivors can seek additional support through the Yonkers Police Victim Outreach Program and the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

How Our Yonkers Clergy Abuse Attorneys Can Help

A sexual abuse attorney from our firm will assist you throughout the entire civil claim process, which includes the following steps.

Consultation – Our law firm will determine whether legal action is possible and the potential value of your case. We’ll look at whether religious organizations are liable and explain the legal process.
Investigation – We will investigate all facets of the case and gather evidence, including prior reports about the clergy member, communications, and medical examinations. We’ll also talk to expert witnesses who were there when the abuse occurred, others who have suffered sexual misconduct at religious institutions, and determine if anyone else can be held liable.
Settlement Negotiations – First, the law firm will attempt to reach a settlement with the Yonkers church. If this fails, we will file a lawsuit.
Civil Court Representation – While we often negotiate settlements, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for you through trial if necessary.

The Cost of Hiring a Yonkers Sexual Abuse Attorney

Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Instead, we will deduct our legal fees from your settlement.

Compensation for Clergy Abuse

Abuse survivors may be eligible for several types of compensation, which include:

Medical bills
Out-of-pocket medical expenses like therapy
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Pain and suffering
Potential pain
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

In some cases, punitive damages can be awarded to deter the defendant from perpetrating further assaults. Punitive damages are often awarded when large religious orders have negligent hiring practices.

The amount of compensation you may receive depends on the severity of the abuse, how long it went on, what age the individual was at the time of the assault, and what your financial losses were.

Injury Lawyer Team pursues justice for victims of sexual assault, combining compassion with decades of experience. Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers have recovered millions in damages for individuals across the country who experienced sexual abuse at the hands of predatory priests, winning settlements against large dioceses and other religious orders.

To schedule your free consultation and learn how we can assist you, call us 24/7 at 866-757-6452 or complete ourcontact form.

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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.