Clergy Abuse Lawyer Erie PA | Injury Lawyer Team

A 2018 Grand Jury Report found that child sexual abuse was more prevalent in the Catholic Church than many had previously thought. The report included multiple claims of young children being sexually abused by the priests or dioceses they trusted for decades. [1]

It also uncovered multiple Pennsylvania dioceses, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. If you have been a victim of clergy assault, you need to seek legal assistance. Injury Lawyer Team is here to help Erie victims navigate the court system and recover the compensation they deserve.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

When it comes to sensitive legal matters, such as those involving sexual abuse, you need a legal team with expertise and compassion. Injury Lawyer Team has a proven track record of helping Erie victims seek justice and compensation through a civil lawsuit against the church.

$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

With our extensive experience, our Pennsylvania clergy abuse lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of clergy sexual abuse. We understand the profound impact of these traumatic events and are committed to supporting survivors as they pursue the compensation they deserve for the harm they’ve endured.

Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Erie

Catholic priests and other church leadership have been sexually abusing children and other clergy members for decades. Here are a few surprising Erie, PA, clergy abuse statistics to know:

• The Pennsylvania Attorney General conducted a Grand Jury Report in 2018, finding that 301 priests in six states had sexually abused over 1,000 children [1].
• The 900-page report included multiple reports of abuse, including an Erie, PA, priest who had assaulted at least a dozen young boys. The report also found a total of 41 predator priests in Erie, PA, alone [2].
• The Catholic Diocese of Erie has paid out over 31.35M, with $16.6M for victims of decades of sexual abuse in the church [3].
• Based on settlement claims, more than 90% of the credible allegations received against the Pennsylvania dioceses occurred before 1990 [3].

Names of priests continue to be added to the list, with additional reports each year. It’s predicted that potentially thousands more survivors will continue coming forward as more abusers are listed.

Notable Catholic Church Abuse Cases and Accused Priests

Over 62 Erie priests have been named abusers based on the list. Here are a few notable Catholic Church abuse cases in Erie, Pennsylvania:

• David Poulson: The Attorney General of Pennsylvania charged a Catholic Priest of the Erie Diocese with the sexual abuse of two young boys. The diocese reportedly knew of the sexual abuse but failed to report it. Poulson was sentenced to two years and settled one of the claims [4].
• Michael P. Allison: Allison was accused of molesting several young minors. He was added to the list in 2024.
• Donald Bolton: Bolton was convicted after the parents of two young girls came forward to report the sexual abuse. He was charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors, completed three years of probation, and entered into a treatment program.
• Sean P. Kerins: Kerins was suspended after inappropriate communication with a minor, where he was investigated and included on the Pennsylvania Grand Jury list.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Claim

Filing a clergy abuse claim can help abused victims recover the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, counseling services, or pain and suffering. However, to file a lawsuit, survivors must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Eligibility to file a clergy abuse claim includes:

• Child victims and their parents: Parents can file on behalf of children who have been abused.
• Adult victims: Individuals who were abused or assaulted as adults are eligible.
• Adult survivors: Adults who were sexually abused as minors can also file.

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Proving liability is an important part of a civil clergy abuse case. Pennsylvania law allows survivors to seek compensation from the religious institution, clergy member, or through vicarious liability.

Individual liability may be on predator priests accused and convicted of sexual abuse. Clergy members who commit acts of abuse can face both criminal charges and civil liability. Institutional liability occurs when the diocese is negligent in hiring or supervising.

Clear evidence of the diocese’s negligence to the abuse must be formed to seek justice.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim in Erie

Pennsylvania law requires sexual abuse survivors to report and file the claim within two years from the date of the alleged abuse. However, a recent Pennsylvania legislature change allows those abused after January 1, 2019, to file a civil claim against their perpetrator until their 55th birthday.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Erie Clergy Abuse Lawyers

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to seeking justice, whether against a Catholic diocese, the priest, or another religious organization.

The Catholic Church has been under strict investigation since the Grand Jury report. However, abuse has also occurred in other Pennsylvania religious organizations.

We also handle cases involving clergy abuse and cover-up in many Pennsylvania dioceses, including the Diocese of Harrisburg, the Diocese of Scranton, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

Here are a few steps to take as a survivor of sexual clergy abuse to ensure your safety and well-being:

• Report the Abuse: Report the abuse as soon as possible to protect the survivor.
• Collect Evidence: Holding abusers accountable requires evidence. Time-sensitive evidence may also be necessary for your civil lawsuit.
• Consult With a Lawyer: Our law firm offers a confidential case evaluation, which allows you to explore your legal options.
• Seek Support: Local support through the United Way of Pennsylvania or Erie Gives can help victims deal with the psychological impacts of sexual abuse.

How Our Erie Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our legal team offers a confidential consultation to explore your options free of risk. If you decide to work with us, you can expect our team to complete a thorough investigation and gather the necessary evidence.

Once we build a strong case, we’ll file a lawsuit against the proper party. From here, we’ll walk you through the negotiation or trial process. Settlements are common in cases of sexual abuse, especially against the diocese. However, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer.

The Cost of Hiring an Erie Clergy Abuse Attorney

Injury Lawyer Team work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing if we don’t win your case.

Compensation for Clergy Abuse Victims

Compensation for medical expenses, counseling services, and emotional distress may be available to sexual abuse survivors. How much you receive will depend on the details of the abuse, how long ago it occurred, the damages, and the evidence available for your sexual abuse case.

In cases of gross misconduct, punitive damages may be rewarded to punish the offender and deter similar behavior in the future.

Contact Our Erie Clergy Abuse Attorneys Today!

If you or a loved one has been affected, let us help you navigate this challenging time and pursue the justice you deserve. Reach out to us today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation, or fill out our contact form.

Related Practice Areas

• Pennsylvania Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
• Pennsylvania Clergy Abuse Attorney
• Allentown Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Philadelphia Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Pittsburgh Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Reading Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] Erie Reader, [2] NPR, [3] GoErie, [4] Pennsylvania Attorney General

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.