Clergy abuse is a significant issue in Baltimore Catholic churches and throughout the country. The impacts of sexual abuse will last for the survivors’ lifetime. If you have been a victim of Maryland clergy abuse, you need to reach out to a personal injury lawyer.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to seeking justice and compensation for victims of child abuse. We want to facilitate healing by offering our steadfast support and legal knowledge.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record of successfully securing large settlements for our clients who have been sexually abused by clergy members. Our legal team is dedicated to handling your sexual abuse case with compassion while fighting for your rights.
Table of Contents
| $14.2 Million Priest grooming and handling | $4.1 Million Deacon assault and rape | $3 Million Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood |
| $2.5 Million Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse | $2.3 Million Religious school priest teen sexual abuse | $1.5 Million Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest |
We seek to support your healing journey by securing fair financial compensation. Throughout the process, you can count on our unwavering support and understanding.
Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Clergy abuse is a major problem within the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Some alarming clergy abuse statistics are:
- A report found that there are more than 150 clergy members who have abused over 600 children. [1]
- There was a clergy abuse scandal, including institutions like St. Mary’s Seminary and Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
Notable Catholic Church Abuse Cases and Accused Priests
Throughout Baltimore, many priests and other religious leaders have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. These are some of the most notable cases:
- Maurice J. Blackwell: Blackwell was the pastor at St. Edward’s from 1979 to 2003. He was placed on leave in 1993 after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced and then permanently placed on leave after admitting to a sexual relationship with a minor in the 1970s.
- James V. Lannon: Lannon was suspended in DC after sexual impropriety with several teenage boys. Another woman came forward, stating he sexually abused her when she was nine. He was permanently removed from ministry in 1958.
Common Forms of Clergy Sex Abuse
Sexual abuse by church leaders takes on many forms, including:
- Sexual Assault: Non-consensual touching ranging from groping to rape.
- Grooming: Building trust with the victim’s family to make sexual abuse easier.
- Exposure: Exposing oneself to a minor or making them show themself.
- Exploitation: Coercing sexual favors from minors by abusing power.
- Inappropriate Touching: Often disguised as affectionate gestures, but they’re unwanted.
- Verbal Sexual Abuse: Unwanted sexual comments.
The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims
While anyone can be a victim, the vast majority of clergy sexual assault happens to children, specifically boys between the ages of 10 and 14, and those seeking a parental figure.
The impacts of clergy sex abuse can be felt for the rest of the survivors’ lives. Some of the consequences or injuries they might have include:
- Substance abuse
- Academic or professional setbacks
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Emotional trauma
- Crisis of faith
- Sexual dysfunction in adulthood
- Challenges in forming healthy relationships
Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims
Being able to spot the signs of clergy abuse in children is key to stopping the assault. Some signs to look for are:
- Nightmares, bed-wetting, and insomnia
- Aggressive behaviors, regression to younger behaviors, or withdrawal from loved ones
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Anxiety and fear surrounding religion or certain catholic priests
- Drastic changes in school performance
- Inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age
Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
In Baltimore, certain people are eligible to file a clergy sexual abuse claim:
- Adult victims of sexual abuse or assault
- Adults who survived childhood sexual abuse
- Child victims with their legal guardian acting on their behalf
Liability in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases
In clergy sex abuse cases, liability extends to both individual perpetrators and the institutions that employed them.
Individual clergy members can face criminal charges for their actions, potentially resulting in imprisonment. Additionally, they may be held civilly liable, leading to financial settlement for survivors.
Institutional liability focuses on holding religious organizations accountable for their role in abuse cases. We might be able to hold institutions liable on the grounds of:
- Failing to report or investigate the sexual abuse allegations.
- Negligent hiring, supervision, or retention practices.
- Vicarious liability, which holds them responsible for the actions of their employees.
Establishing this link between the institution’s actions or inactions and the abuse is key to holding religious organizations accountable and securing just compensation for survivors.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Baltimore
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit. If you’re interested in filing a civil lawsuit against your abuser or the institutions that facilitated the abuse in Baltimore, the statute of limitations varies.
For adults who experienced sexual abuse, they have three years from the date of the last incident to file. For childhood sexual abuse, there is no statute of limitations due to the Maryland Child Victims Act.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Experienced Attorneys
Our attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are experienced and able to take on adult and child sexual abuse cases like:
- Cases involving various religious institutions, including the Catholic Church and other denominations;
- Cases where there is evidence of an institutional cover-up;
- Abuse by pastors, priests, and other religious leaders;
- Historical cases of abuse;
- Sexual abuse cases within the Baltimore Archdiocese.
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim
Regardless of which institution the clergy abuse occurred, these are some steps you should take to ensure your well-being:
- If you’re in immediate danger, get yourself somewhere safe and away from your abuser;
- Seek immediate medical attention;
- Document what you can about the abuse;
- Preserve any evidence that can strengthen your case;
- Seek support from loved ones and local resources like those provided by the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA);
- Consult with an experienced clergy sex abuse lawyer on the legal action to take.
How Our Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
When you’re ready to seek justice, the sexual abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help survivors through the legal process:
- We offer an initial free legal consultation.
- We’ll thoroughly investigate your sexual abuse claim and gather evidence.
- We’ll develop a strategic legal strategy to help make your case.
- We handle all settlement negotiations on your behalf with opposing counsel.
- If necessary, we’ll represent you in court to reach a fair settlement.
The Cost of Hiring a Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
One thing that deters many people from filing a civil suit against their abuser is how they’ll afford the legal fees. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis. With this arrangement, you don’t have to pay us any legal fees unless we reach a settlement. Even then, the fees will be based on a percentage of your overall settlement.
Compensation Awarded to Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will go for the maximum compensation possible in your case. You might be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages like:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses, including therapy bills for mental health care
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
Sexual abuse cases are all a little different, so the amount that you might receive in your settlement will depend on:
- The severity and duration of the abuse
- The financial status of the institutions involved
- The strength of the evidence
- The impact it’s had on your life
- Contact a Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
Contact a Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney Today!
If you or a loved one has been a victim of clergy sexual abuse in Baltimore, you deserve justice. A skilled Baltimore clergy sexual abuse attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide you through the legal process, helping you file a claim and seek the compensation you deserve. Our law firm offers free consultations, so you can discuss your case and understand your legal options.
Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form.
Related Practice Areas
Maryland Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
Maryland Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Columbia Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Germantown Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Silver Spring Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Waldorf Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Resources: [1] WBALTV
