Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Representing Victims Nationwide

Millions Recovered for Victims of Clergy Abuse

As religious leaders, clergy are trusted to provide spiritual and moral guidance. By using their positions of authority and their religion to commit sexual abuse and keep that abuse a secret, members of the clergy or priesthood commit the ultimate betrayal.

Many churches and religious institutions have come under scrutiny for widespread sexual abuse within their ranks, and those same institutions have faced criticism for their failures to adequately investigate allegations, report abuse, and keep vulnerable children and members safe.

Today, clergy from many religious institutions have been implicated in widespread child sexual abuse scandals, including:

• The Catholic Church
• Evangelical Christians
• Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Orthodox Judaism / Yeshivas
• The Church of Latter Day Saints / Mormons
• The Church of Scientology

The time has come for these organizations to be held accountable.

To learn more about how our clergy sexual abuse lawyers can help you, call (800) 477-2989 or contact us online today!

Trusted Advocates. Proven Results.

The Zalkin Law Firm has cultivated a record of success fighting for survivors abused by priests, pastors, and others within religious organizations across the country.

Our childhood sexual abuse lawyers have spear-headed high-stakes and high-profile clergy abuse cases, and have successfully taken on some of the most powerful religious institutions in the world.

This includes major litigation and multi-million global settlements against the Catholic Church:

• $660 million settlement. Irwin Zalkin was one of the lead trial lawyers prepared to litigate a 14-victim trial against the Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles before a global settlement was reached.
• $198.5 million settlement. Irwin Zalkin was appointed Mediation Liaison Counsel and lead negotiator for over 144 victims of child sex abuse against the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego. The negotiations resulted in a nearly $200M settlement.
• $100 million settlement. Irwin Zalkin was part of the legal team representing sex abuse survivors in the Diocese of Orange, CA, and helped negotiate the first $100M global settlement in the nation over Catholic sex abuse.
• $4.2 million settlement for three adult survivors abused as minors by priests associated with a Northern California Diocese
• $2.75 million settlement for two survivors of clergy sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic priest in 1975.

In addition to complex and multi-victim claims, our clergy sexual abuse attorneys have also recovered millions in compensation for survivors in single-victim claims. Examples of our results include:

• $1.75 million settlement. Montana clergy abuse case which occurred over forty years ago
• $1.25 million settlement. 27-year-old abused as a minor by a youth pastor associated with an evangelical church in Northern California.
• $1 million settlement. California clergy abuse case against a religious school for sexual abuse that occurred over 20 years ago.
• $937,500 settlement. 27-year-old male survivor abused as a minor by a Catholic priest in Southern California.
• $750,000 settlement. California clergy abuse that occurred in the early 1990s.
• $675,000 settlement. California clergy abuse case against a religious order for abuse that occurred 30 years ago.
• $600,000 settlement. 45-year-old male survivor abused as a minor by a Catholic priest.

Can I File a Civil Sexual Abuse Claim?

Determining whether you have the right to take legal action over childhood sexual abuse will depend on the unique facts of your case. At The Zalkin Law Firm, our lawyers offer free and confidential case evaluations to help survivors evaluate their options.

We serve all survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault, including:

• Child victims and their parents;
• Adult victims of abuse or assault; and
• Adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors.

With new legislation in many states, such as California AB 218 and the New York Child Victims Act, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse are often given the opportunity to bring civil claims against at-fault parties years or decades after abuse occurred. This includes adult survivors whose claims were previously barred by statutes of limitations.

Our attorneys can help you better understand how eligibility and the statute of limitations works in these cases.

How Can an Abuse Lawyer Help the Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse?

An experienced clergy sexual abuse lawyer can provide victims with powerful legal representation while they seek justice for the abuse they suffered. These attorneys are knowledgeable of the laws and regulations that surround these cases, as well as the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse. They understand the importance of protecting their clients’ rights and obtaining the best possible outcome.

One of our abuse lawyers near you can help with:

• Investigating the facts of your case and identifying potential defendants who may be liable for sexual abuse
• Evaluating legal statutes to understand how state laws and court rulings could affect your claim
• Negotiating with insurance companies, religious organizations and other entities on your behalf
• Representing you in civil litigation if needed
• Reviewing settlements offered by churches before an agreement is made
• Helping secure financial compensation for medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages or income due to abuse-related trauma, pain and suffering or other damages caused by clergy sex abuse
• Providing resources to help survivors cope through support groups, counseling services, and other forms of assistance
• Assisting in filing criminal charges against perpetrators when appropriate

When Should You Contact a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer?

The statute of limitations for filing a civil legal claim in clergy sexual abuse cases varies from state to state. In some states, survivors may have decades from the time of their abuse to come forward and file a lawsuit. In other states, victims may have just a few years or even months to take action. It is therefore essential for survivors of clergy sexual abuse to act quickly and contact an attorney as soon as possible after the abuse comes to light in order to ensure that their rights are protected and that they can pursue the justice they deserve.

An experienced lawyer who specializes in clergy sexual abuse cases can provide invaluable guidance about filing deadlines, potential defendants, negotiation strategies and more—allowing survivors to focus on healing and recovery. Survivors should also keep in mind that there may be exceptions to statutes of limitation in certain jurisdictions or specific circumstances, so it is best to consult with an experienced attorney right away if you believe you may have a case.

Accused Priest Directory

The Zalkin Law Firm maintains a directory of priests who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, particularly in California Dioceses.

Our directory curates public information about accused priests and claims brought by victims in one place, and can help survivors who are considering stepping forward understand what has happened to others – and why making their voice heard is important to putting an end to abuse.

Visit our accused priest directory to learn more about accused priests.

Your Right to Compensation

As a clergy abuse survivor, you have the right to hold wrongdoers and responsible church leaders accountable for their misconduct, failures, and willful conceit. Stepping forward with a claim not only exposes unforgiveable practices, but also fosters needed change to prevent others from being victimized.

As a civil lawsuit (or tort), sexual abuse claims also provide survivors with the opportunity to recover financial compensation for the damages they incurred as a result of their abuse. This may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical and mental health treatment
• Future medical / mental health expenses
• Emotional and psychological anguish
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Call Our Nationwide Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers for a FREE Consultation

The Zalkin Law Firm is nationally recognized for fighting on behalf of survivors who were sexually abused by priests, pastors, and other religious leaders.

Our clergy sexual abuse attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for our clients in single-victim and multi-victim cases, and have the insight and resources to take on powerful adversaries that failed to protect children and victims.

We serve survivors across the U.S., and can help explore your options for pursuing the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call for a (800) 477-2989 FREE and confidential case evaluation.