Pennsylvania Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Child Sexual Abuse Victims Get Justice and Compensation

Clergy sexual abuse has had a profound and devastating impact on countless lives, leaving people with deep emotional and psychological scars, often affecting their families. A Pennsylvania clergy abuse lawyer specializing in personal injury can help you hold abusers accountable. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are unwavering in our commitment to supporting and advocating for those impacted by sex crimes, providing the legal assistance they need to seek justice and healing.

Injury Lawyer Team stands out for its proven track record and compassionate approach in handling clergy sexual abuse cases for our clients. Our team of experienced attorneys is adept at navigating the complexities of these sensitive cases, ensuring that clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Our commitment to strict confidentiality and sensitivity means that your case will be handled with respect and discretion, offering peace of mind as you seek justice throughout the legal process. You deserve compensation, and we’ll fight with you to get it.

Settlements Recovered by Our Pennsylvania Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$14,200,000 Recovery for six young men who were groomed and fondled by a priest at a religious school. The official was hired at the school despite a known record of instances of sex crimes at other parishes.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was abused as a child. This case was settled during litigation, despite repeated attempts to dismiss it on the grounds of an expired statute of limitations.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased religious leader.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by religious officials.

Book a free consultation

Prevalence of Clergy Child Abuse in Pennsylvania

The issue of sex crimes in Catholic dioceses is both widespread and deeply troubling. A comprehensive grand jury report released by the state supreme court in 2018 provided a thorough examination of the systemic abuse and subsequent cover-ups that have plagued the religious order for decades.

What Did the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report Say About Catholic Church Abuse?

The investigation uncovered more than 300 “predator priests” who were found to have committed sexual abuse. These clergy members harmed potentially thousands of children, some of whom suffered sexual assault in silence for years or even decades.

The institution’s systematic efforts to conceal the crimes were meticulously detailed, showcasing the lengths to which it went to protect its image rather than protect children. Spanning nearly 900 pages of documents, this report is one of the largest of its kind on sex crimes within the Catholic Church in the United States.

Are There Notable Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests?

In the wake of the grand jury report, a couple of high-profile cases involving Catholic leaders have garnered significant media attention due to the egregious nature of the crimes and the prominence of the figures involved.

After being accused of molesting minors, Father Edward Ganstertransferred to another diocese, where he continued his abusive conduct. Church officials also provided him with a positive reference to work at Disney World, despite having received credible allegations of his sexually abusing a boy.

Father Thomas Skotek was documented in the grand jury report as having committed crimes against several young girls over multiple years. After raping a girl, he helped her obtain an abortion after she became pregnant, and the case resulted in a $75,000 settlement.

Let’s discuss the specifics of your case

What are the Common Forms of Clergy Abuse?

It can manifest in numerous ways, each profoundly impacting someone’s emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. Common forms include:

Sexual assault
Emotional manipulation
Grooming
Sexual exploitation
Inappropriate touching
Verbal harassment

What’s the Usual Profile of Clergy Sexual Assault Victims?

The typical victim of priest sexual abuse often includes vulnerable individuals, such as minors, adolescents, and even adults seeking spiritual guidance.

People of all ages commonly suffer from profound emotional and psychological injuries, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and they deserve to recover compensation. Physical injuries can also occur, with lifelong impacts on their health and well-being.

What Are Common Signs of Sexual Assault Among Child Victims?

Recognizing the signs is essential for early intervention and support. Common signs include:

Withdrawal from friends and family
Behavioral changes
Sleep problems
Academic decline
Sexualized behavior

Explore your legal options

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

Filing a claim is a legal right afforded to several categories of people. These include minors who have suffered and their parents, who can work with personal injury lawyers on behalf of their children.

Adults who have experienced abuse or assault also have the legal standing to file a claim. Additionally, adults who suffered as minors may be able to pursue civil litigation.

In cases involving a clergy member, liability can be attributed to both the individual member and the religious institution that employs them.

Individual liability encompasses a criminal case that members may face for their abusive actions, such as sexual assault or exploitation. Additionally, a person can be held civilly liable, permitting survivors to seek damages through lawsuits for the trauma and injuries suffered.

Institutional liability holds religious organizations accountable under various legal theories when there is a connection between the institution’s negligence and the harm. These theories include negligent hiring or supervision, failure to report known or suspected incidents, and vicarious liability.

Proving institutional liability requires establishing a direct link between the organization’s actions or inactions and the act that occurred.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

The civil statute of limitations for child sex crimes against all defendants extends until the victim reaches the age of 55. There is no lookback window available, despite ongoing discussions on the matter.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Clergy Abuse Attorneys

The personal injury lawyers from our law firm have extensive experience handling a comprehensive range of cases, including:

Acts by priests, pastors, and other religious and church leaders
Incidents within various religious institutions, such as the Catholic Church, Protestant establishments, and more

We handle cases involving those who suffered sexual assault in dioceses such as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and other parishes within the catholic dioceses.

It is crucial to take specific legal steps to protect your rights.

Immediate Steps to Ensure Safety and Well-Being: Your first priority should be your safety. Contact local law enforcement to report crimes against a child and sexual assault. It’s important to disclose sexual abuse to hold abusers accountable. Get medical attention for any personal injury.
Criminal Charges: You have the option of pressing charges against the perpetrator for their crimes, as well as a civil suit for financial compensation. If you only file a civil claim, you may receive hundreds of millions of dollars, but the perpetrator will still be free. Speak with investigators to help prevent future crimes.
Importance of Documentation: Keep detailed records of incidents, including dates, locations, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Preserve any physical evidence and maintain a journal of your emotional and psychological state. Many victims have trouble remembering details days or weeks later when they speak about the incident, making it important to document what happens to you or a loved one as it happens.
Seek Legal Help: Call experienced attorneys like Injury Lawyer Team to help you get justice and compensation for your suffering.

People impacted can access support through organizations like the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and local support groups such as Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR), which also provide resources for family members. These organizations provide counseling, advocacy, and resources to help you navigate through this challenging time.

Book a free consultation

How Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our attorneys possess the specialized knowledge and experience needed to advocate effectively on behalf of any person who’s survived these crimes. Here’s how we can help:

Our law firm’s first step is to provide a free, confidential consultation to assess your case. We will discuss the details and determine the best legal strategy to fight for compensation.
Our personal injury lawyers will conduct a comprehensive investigation, gathering critical proof such as documentation, witness statements, and expert testimonies to build a strong case.
Once sufficient proof is gathered, the law firm will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Potential outcomes from legal action may include compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages that resulted from being sexually assaulted.
Our lawyers are skilled negotiators who fight for a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to advocate for you aggressively in court to achieve the best possible outcome.

The Cost of Hiring Our Pennsylvania Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Understanding the costs associated with legal representation is crucial for survivors seeking justice. Our sexual abuse attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis.

This means that you will not incur any upfront costs for our legal services. Instead, we only get paid if we successfully secure compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or award, ensuring that our interests are aligned with yours.

This arrangement enables you to pursue justice for sexual assault without the added financial stress, knowing that our team is fully committed to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

Compensation for Victims

Those who have suffered as a result of priest sexual abuse may be entitled to various types of compensation to help address the impact of their trauma. There are several key categories of compensation available, such as:

Medical Expenses: These economic damages are for physical injuries sustained as a result of the sexual assault, as well as expenses related to mental health treatments such as therapy and counseling.
Emotional Distress: Victims often suffer significant psychological damage. Compensation can be awarded for the emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that arise from the abuse.
Punitive Damages: In some cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish the perpetrator and the institution that enabled the abuse. These damages are intended to deter similar misconduct in the future.

Several factors influence the amount of compensation a victim may receive, including the severity and duration of the abuse, the impact on the victim’s life, and the proof presented in the case. Additionally, the willingness of the responsible institution to settle and the jurisdiction in which the lawsuit is filed can affect the final compensation amount.

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

If you or a loved one has been a victim of this crime, it is crucial to step forward and seek legal guidance immediately. Injury Lawyer Team are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective representation to ensure that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve for being sexually abused.

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.