The Catholic Church has been under scrutiny after numerous credible 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.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to offer Clifton, New Jersey, survivors the support and legal guidance they deserve.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers 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.
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 |
Our law firm aims to make a difference in each of our client’s lives, helping them hold abusive church leaders accountable and move toward healing. We offer victims a compassionate, expert-driven approach to legal services.
Prevalence of 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 [1].
- Hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed against New Jersey dioceses, spanning decades [2].
- In 2019, the New Jersey Catholic Diocese named a total of 188 clergy members who have been credibly accused of sexually assaulting children [3].
- Most of the names on the list of accused priests were added previously, which questions whether the occurrence of childhood sexual abuse in the church has decreased or whether church officials are continuing to cover up accusations [3].
A few cases involving priests in Clifton have been at the center of the news. James Scott of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, was accused of sexual abuse in the 1990s, which led to him being removed 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 [4].
Another priest was accused of sexually abusing a student over 100 times in the 1970s [5].
Common Forms of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Clergy Members
Sexual abuse in the church can take different forms, including the following:
- Sexual Harassment: Any type of unwelcome sexual behavior.
- Sexual Exploitation: Behavior that profits off of someone’s body for sexual gain or power.
- Sexual Texting or Pornography: Inappropriate texts or pornography is considered misconduct.
- Stalking or Intimidation: Stalking or intimidation of a sexual nature is also considered misconduct.
Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims
Parents can help protect their children from clergy sexual 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
Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim
Filing 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 sexual 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 sexually assaulted in the church may also file a lawsuit against the clergy member or church. Adults who were sexually assaulted as a child may also have other legal options available, depending on the details of the case.
Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases
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.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Clifton, NJ
The New Jersey legislature recently extended the statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims to seven years following the date the abuse occurred. Under the new law, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse also have until their 55th birthday to take legal action.
Before this, abuse survivors had 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.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has decades of experience helping victims of clergy sexual abuse 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 abusive or negligent behaviors.
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 Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential consultation.
- Seek support from local New Jersey 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 Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, 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 New Jersey 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
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers 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 victims 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 coverup occurred.
Contact a Clifton Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers 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 (888) 424-5757 or using our online form.
Related Practice Areas
- New Jersey Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
- New Jersey Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Elizabeth Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Jersey City Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Newark Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Patterson Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Resources: [1] Diocese of Paterson, [2] NorthJersey.com, [3] NorthJersey.com, [4] NJ.com, [5] NJ.com
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.
