Clifton Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Seeking Justice and Fair Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims in Clifton, NJ

The Catholic Church has been under scrutiny after numerous credible abuse claims accused priests and other religious leaders of sexual abuse. Many New Jersey churches, including those in Clifton, NJ, were at the center of the scandal. A Clifton clergy abuse lawyer from our team is here to offer survivors the support and legal guidance they deserve.

Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to helping the victims of clergy sexual abuse in Clifton, New Jersey. We have the expertise and commitment necessary to recover fair compensation for the trauma you have had to endure.

Our law firm aims to make a difference in each of our clients’ lives, helping them hold abusive church leaders accountable and move toward healing. As an experienced team of Clifton clergy abuse lawyers, we offer victims a compassionate, expert-driven approach to legal services.

Settlements Recovered by Our Clifton Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$2,750,000 Settlement for a woman who was raped by a counselor at a Church operated summer camp.
$2,500,000 Clergy settlement involving a defrocked priest.
$2,000,000 A settlement on behalf of a man who was assaulted by a maintenance worker at a large church.
$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.
$4,100,000 Settlement for a woman who was assaulted and raped by a deacon at a large Midwestern church.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was abused as a child. This case was settled during litigation despite repeated attempts by the church to dismiss the case based on an expired statute of limitations theory.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.
$2,475,000 Settlement for a victim of abuse perpetrated by a volunteer at a Catholic Church on the West Coast.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.
$1,222,000 Clergy abuse lawsuit settlement for an adult man who was sexually assaulted while attending a church-sponsored summer camp.
$1,101,000 Settlement for a woman who was sexually assaulted by a janitor at a Catholic School as a child.

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How Common Is Catholic Church Sex Abuse in Clifton, New Jersey?

Child sexual abuse is far too common in religious organizations. Here are a few clergy abuse statistics to know:

29 priests or clergy members from the Diocese of Paterson, which oversees Clifton, were named in 2019 for sexual abuse in this list.
Hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed against New Jersey dioceses, spanning decades.
In 2019, the New Jersey Catholic Diocese named a total of 188 clergy members who had been credibly accused of sexually assaulting children.
Most of the names on the list of accused priests were added previously, which raises questions about whether the occurrence of childhood sexual abuse in the church has decreased or whether church officials are continuing to cover up accusations.

A few cases involving priests in Clifton have been in the news. James Scott of the Diocese of Paterson was accused of abuse in the 1990s, which led to his removal from the ministry.

Jose Alonso was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage boys. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

A Clifton woman accepted a six-figure settlement after reporting that a former Passaic Catholic High School principal sexually abused her multiple times decades ago.

Another priest was accused of sexually abusing a student over 100 times in the 1970s.

What Are Common Types of Sexual Abuse Claims Against Clergy Members?

Sex abuse in the church can take different forms, including the following:

Sexual Harassment: Any type of unwelcome sexual behavior.
Sexual Exploitation: Behavior that profits from someone’s body for sexual gain or power.
Sexual Texting or Pornography: Inappropriate texts or pornography are considered misconduct.
Stalking or Intimidation: Stalking or intimidation of a sexual nature is also considered misconduct.

A New Jersey clergy sexual abuse lawyer can help you learn more.

What Are the Typical Signs of Abuse Among Child Victims?

Parents can help protect their children from clergy abuse by looking out for the following common signs:

Sleep difficulties
Behavioral changes, such as withdrawal or isolation
Ongoing sadness or hopelessness
Anxiety, especially related to church attendance or gatherings
Fear of adults or other church leaders
Sexual themes in playtime
School difficulties
Unexplained injuries
Reporting other children being abused

What Are Your Legal Rights When Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim?

Working with a Jersey clergy sexual abuse lawyer to file a civil lawsuit against the Catholic priest or religious entity can help survivors recover the compensation they need to move on. If you were the victim of abuse caused by a church leader or clergy member, you may be eligible to file a civil claim.

Parents may file a personal injury claim on behalf of their child. Adult victims who are assaulted in the church may also file a lawsuit against the clergy member or the church. Adults who were sexually assaulted as children may also have other legal options available, depending on the details of the case.

Many adults who survived abuse from a Catholic priest know all too well about the emotional scars the abuse caused. Even if it’s been seven years, you may still have legal options.

When sexual abuse occurs in the church, either the church leader or institution can sometimes be liable. Individual liability seeks compensation from the priest, pastor, Sunday School teacher, or other entity.

Our sexual abuse lawyers can also help seek justice against negligent religious institutions, such as those who fail to properly hire, train, supervise, or report sexual abuse. When filing a personal injury claim based on vicarious liability, sufficient evidence is necessary to prove the negligence directly caused the abuse.

Working with experienced sexual abuse lawyers is a good idea when seeking compensation from a religious institution. Child sexual abuse victims can contact us for a completely confidential consultation.

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How Long After the Abuse Occurred Can Victims Take Legal Action?

The New Jersey legislature (S477/A3648) recently extended the statute of limitations on sexual abuse to seven years following the date the abuse occurred. Under the new statute of limitations law, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse also have until their 55th birthday to take legal action.

Before this, abuse survivors had a much smaller statute of limitations, just two years from the date of the abuse to file a case or two years from their 18th birthday. Make sure to discuss your case with an attorney familiar with the most recent statute of limitations to protect your legal rights.

Are There Mandatory Reporting Laws in New Jersey?

The New Jersey legislature (9:6-1) states that every adult is considered a mandated reporter and is obligated to report suspected abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse cases. It further states that people making a report regarding child abuse victims are protected from liability or discrimination because they made the report.

Are Clergy Members Mandated Reporters According to New Jersey Legislature?

Many states address clergy members reporting sexual abuse cases. For example, some states specify that clergy are not required to make a report if they receive information during confidential communication, such as during confession. Others specifically require clergy to report and state that the laws pertaining to confession do not apply if there is child abuse or suspected child abuse.

New Jersey, on the other hand, doesn’t mention whether clergy and priests are mandated reporters, and doesn’t mention confession. This grey area means that it’s safe to assume clergy are considered mandatory reporters because every adult is a mandatory reporter. This includes when another member of the church is perpetrating sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.

Failing to report suspected abuse and neglect is a crime. Sexual abuse survivors can name those who failed to report the abuse in a civil lawsuit or sexual abuse lawsuits for financial compensation. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation to see what your options are for financial compensation.

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Types of Cases Handled by Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Law Firm

Injury Lawyer Team has decades of experience helping sexual abuse survivors seek justice. Our sexual abuse lawyers will work with you to build a strong case, holding priests, pastors, or other religious leaders accountable for their abuse, negligent behaviors, or sexual misconduct.

While much of the clergy sexual abuse news has been primarily focused on the Catholic Church, our law firm is also capable of handling claims against other religious organizations. Whether the abuse occurred in a Methodist, Baptist, Christian, or any other church type, our law firm has the expertise you need.

Our law firm also handles cases involving dioceses other than those representing Clifton, New Jersey. For example, we handle cases involving the Archdiocese of Newark, the Diocese of Trenton, or the Diocese of Metuchen.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Child Sexual Abuse

Victims can take certain steps to protect their legal rights and overall well-being following clergy sexual abuse:

Seek safety and medical care, if necessary.
Document the abuse, including communications, report claims, or photographs.
Contact Injury Lawyer Team for a free and confidential consultation.
Seek support from local resources, such as the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault or the Survivors Network of those Abuse by Priests (SNAP).

How Our Clifton Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

When you work with a sexual abuse attorney from Injury Lawyer Team, you can expect a straightforward, compassionate approach to legal representation. During a completely confidential consultation, we’ll evaluate your case.

If we decide to work together, we’ll investigate and collect the necessary evidence before filing your claim in the appropriate court.

Some civil claims are settled outside of court, and our law firm will work with you to evaluate any offers you may receive. If you don’t receive a fair settlement offer, our law firm is prepared to represent you in court.

The Cost of Hiring a Clifton Clergy Abuse Attorney

Injury Lawyer Team represents New Jersey victims on a contingency fee basis, which means you never owe anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Compensation for Clergy Childhood Sexual Abuse Victims

Clergy sexual abuse sufferers are often left with financial and emotional consequences. Sexual abuse may lead to medical costs, which may lead to expensive bills.

Counseling may be necessary to deal with trauma or pain and suffering. Punitive damages are also available in some cases and are designed to punish an organization for negligence.

Many factors affect how much a survivor can expect from a New Jersey civil lawsuit involving sexual abuse. Some factors include the age at which the abuse occurred, the extent of any injuries, and whether or not a cover-up occurred.

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to helping New Jersey survivors take civil legal action against their abusers. We offer a free consultation, a contingency fee payment arrangement, and a compassionate and understanding approach to legal representation.

Contact us at or fill out our online form to learn more about legal assistance or how you can recover compensation through a New Jersey clergy sexual assault case.

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.