Clergy Abuse Lawyer Elizabeth NJ | Injury Lawyer Team

Hundreds of priests and other religious leaders in New Jersey have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. The abuse dates back decades, with many cases involving young children.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to helping the victims in Elizabeth, NJ. Our compassionate team of attorneys will work with you to help you receive maximum compensation.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

When it comes to cases of sexual abuse, you need a trustworthy and dedicated legal team fighting for your rights. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a proven track record of helping victims and their families secure compensation.

$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 hope that by offering compassionate legal representation to those who need it most, we can help survivors begin facilitating the healing process. A free initial consultation allows New Jersey victims to learn more about our firm and how we can help. Receiving compensation can help you get the closure you deserve.

Prevalence of Catholic Church Sex Abuse in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Here are a few key clergy abuse statistics to know:

• A total of five Catholic dioceses in New Jersey were found to have church leaders credibly accused of sexual abuse [1].
• A 2019 list included 188 priests accused of sexual crimes. Elizabeth, New Jersey, is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, which accounted for 63 abusers (33 of which were already deceased at the time of the report) [2].
• The CDC estimates that as many as one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18 years. In 93% of childhood sexual abuse cases, the crime is committed by someone the child knows and trusts, such as a clergy member [3].

Various clergy members have been credibly accused of childhood sexual abuse dating back many decades.

Two Union County priests who worked at the St. Elizabeth Hospital and the Blessed Sacrament in Elizabeth, New Jersey, were included on the list of abusers. Charles J. Hudson and Daniel (Horatio) Medina were the listed clergy members [4]. Additional accused priests with ties to Union County included James Carey and Jorge Batista [5].

Perhaps one of the most prominent cases in Union County involved Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, one of the highest-ranking American Catholic officials in the ministry.

He was accused of sexual assault by three separate adults, two of which led to confidential settlement offers. The claims also led to his resignation from the ministry. He was ruled incompetent to stand trial [6].

Common Forms of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Clergy Members

Child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church may take on many forms, including the following:

• Sexual Assault: Sexual assault involves physical contact with another person without their consent.
• Sexual Threats or Intimidation: Threats or intimidation of a sexual nature may also be considered misconduct.
• Sexual Harassment: Harassment may include sexual-based behaviors that are verbal, physical, or offensive.
• Child Sexual Abuse: Many clergy abuse cases involve sexual crimes or intimidation against children.

Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims

Children may show various signs indicating that they have been the victim of sexual abuse, including the following:

• Behavioral Changes: Behavioral changes, including a sudden withdrawal, avoidance of activities once enjoyed, or becoming irritable more frequently, could indicate sexual abuse.
• Emotional Difficulties: Children victims of sexual abuse may also notice emotional difficulties, such as crying, anxiety, or depression.
• Physical Signs: Physical signs, such as unexplained cuts or bruises, could demonstrate sexual misconduct.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim

Understanding eligibility can help more victims prepare for filing sexual abuse claims against their perpetrators. New Jersey law allows those sexually abused to file a civil claim for compensation. Parents may file a civil lawsuit on behalf of child sexual abuse victims.

Adult victims who are sexually abused in the church may also take legal action against the church official or religious institution. Some adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the church may also qualify for a civil lawsuit.

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Clergy sexual abuse should never happen, and when it does, someone is to blame. Sexual abuse survivors can seek compensation through a civil claim against the individual or religious institution. Individual liability seeks compensation from the Catholic priest, Sunday School teacher, or other church leader.

Religious institutions may also be to blame when child sex abuse occurs in the church. A spiritual entity that is negligent in hiring, supervising, or reporting clergy abuse can be found liable in a civil lawsuit.

Under vicarious liability, New Jersey law requires the clergy abuse survivor to provide documentation of a clear connection between the religious organization’s negligence and the sexual abuse.

Seeking compensation via legal action from religious organizations requires a good understanding of the state’s laws and statute of limitations. It’s a good idea to work with a law firm familiar with clergy sexual abuse cases in New Jersey.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Previously, New Jersey law dictated that victims of childhood sexual abuse that occurred before the child’s 18th birthday had to file a civil claim by age 20 or within two years of discovery of abuse damages. The law also allowed those assaulted over the age of 18 years to file a claim within two years.

A new statute of limitations was signed in 2019, extending a victim’s civil options. Under the new law, if the abuse occurred before the victim’s 18th birthday, they have until their 55th birthday to file a civil claim or seven years from the discovery of damages, whichever is later.

If the abuse occurred after the victim’s 18th birthday, they have seven years from the date of the abuse or the discovery of harm. Contacting a New Jersey sexual abuse lawyer can be helpful if you have questions about the state’s recent statute of limitations changes.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers handles sexual abuse cases by clergy members, whether against a Catholic priest, pastor, or other religious leaders.

While reports of widespread sexual abuse have been most common in the Catholic church, sexual abuse can and does occur in other religious entities. Our law firm is here to help you seek justice, whether the abuse is at the hands of a Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, or Methodist Church.

We help survivors of sexual abuse throughout New Jersey, including the Diocese of Trenton, the Diocese of Camden, and the Diocese of Metuchen.

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

Here are a few essential steps to take if you suffered sexual abuse:

• Contact the Elizabeth law enforcement agency and file an official report.
• Notify the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
• Document the abuse using any available evidence which may also be important to your civil case.
• Seek legal help from an experienced clergy abuse law firm, such as Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.
• Seek support from other survivors using local resources like the YMCA Union County or New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

How Our Elizabeth Clergy Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Seeking civil liability against a clergy member or institution for sexual abuse is a sensitive matter that requires dedicated legal experience. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is well-versed in clergy abuse in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and surrounding cities. We offer survivors of sexual abuse a free and confidential consultation, which allows them to explore their options.

After accepting a case, our legal team conducts an investigation and collects the necessary evidence to establish liability. Then, we file your claim with the local court.

Whether your case is settled outside of court or requires representation in trial, our law firm is committed to ensuring all abusers are held accountable.

The Cost of Hiring Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers aims to make the civil process as convenient and seamless as possible for Elizabeth’s survivors. In addition to a confidential consultation, we represent survivors on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t owe us anything if we don’t recover compensation on your behalf.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

A clergy abuse survivor may be left with both financial and psychological consequences, which deserve to be compensated. Types of financial compensation that may be available in a sexual abuse case include medical bills or lost wages. Monetary compensation in a clergy abuse case may also include non-economic damages. A survivor should have access to free counseling services, support groups, or other resources they need to heal.

Compensation available in a sexual abuse case varies, depending on the details of the incident, including the victim’s age at the time of the abuse, associated injuries, and the impact of the abuse on the victim’s life.

Contact an Elizabeth Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!

Call Phone (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form.

Related Practice Areas

• New Jersey Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
• New Jersey Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Clifton Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Jersey City Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Newark Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Patterson Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] NJ.com, [2] Norhjersey.com, [3] Northjersey.com, [4] Patch, [5] Bishop Accountability, [6] The Washington Post

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.