Fresno Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Sexual Abuse Victims Get Justice Through Clergy Abuse Cases

Clergy sexual abuse has left deep emotional scars on individuals and communities throughout Fresno County. In recent years, the Diocese of Fresno has faced numerous allegations of clergy sexual abuse, underscoring the seriousness of this issue in the local area. A Fresno clergy abuse lawyer can help you hold perpetrators accountable.

The trauma experienced by survivors in Fresno is profound, often requiring not just emotional healing but also legal action to hold perpetrators accountable.

If a member of the catholic clergy has sexually abused you, you need to seek legal counsel. At Injury Lawyer Team, we’re committed to standing with survivors in Fresno and nationwide. Our team provides compassionate legal counsel to help you attain financial recovery and hold responsible parties accountable.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we have built a reputation for successfully advocating for survivors of clergy abuse. We specialize in obtaining substantial settlements for victims, leveraging our expertise to handle these highly sensitive cases with the utmost care and professionalism.

We’re dedicated to helping survivors find closure through justice and fair compensation. Our approach balances legal expertise with deep compassion, recognizing that healing is personal.

Our team supports clients throughout the legal process, working tirelessly to hold sexual abusers accountable. We excel in navigating complex clergy abuse cases while remaining sensitive to the emotional impact on survivors.

Settlements Recovered by Our Fresno Clergy Abuse Attorneys

$2,800,000 Settlement for an incident 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.

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Prevalence of Clergy Abuse in the Diocese of Fresno

The Diocese of Fresno has not been immune to the nationwide clergy abuse scandal. Numerous reports and investigations have uncovered a troubling history of sex crimes in the area.

Statistics indicate that thousands of survivors have come forward across the country, many years after the incident occurred, following heightened awareness and legal reforms.
Several priests in the Diocese of Fresno have been publicly accused in lawsuits for alleged involvement.
Accused priests such as Monsignor Anthony Herdegen have brought the issue of clergy abuse to the forefront in Fresno, sparking public outcry and demands for accountability.

These statistics reflect the broader crisis within the Catholic Church, where hundreds of priests have been accused of sexual misconduct in dioceses across the nation, including the Diocese of Fresno.

What are Common Forms of Clergy Sexual Abuse?

It can take many forms, including but not limited to:

Inappropriate touching: Unwanted and inappropriate physical contact.
Sexual assault: Any form of non-consensual sexual activity, including rape.
Grooming behavior: Manipulative behaviors used by abusers to gain a child’s trust and prevent disclosure.
Emotional manipulation: Exploiting a victim’s spiritual or emotional vulnerability.

Each of these forms of sexual abuse leaves lasting trauma and requires a legal response to ensure justice for survivors. A Fresno clergy abuse lawyer can help.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit to seek compensation. Eligible individuals include child victims and their parents, adult victims, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Regardless of when the incident took place, it’s never too late to seek damages for the hurt. We urge survivors to consult with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer who can guide them through the process of pursuing legal action and compensation.

Liability in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

Legal liability can take two major forms: individual and institutional.

Individual liability involves holding the offending clergy members personally responsible for the incident. In many cases, criminal charges may also be pursued alongside civil claims. This lets you seek accountability while filing a legal claim for monetary damages, such as medical bills or lost wages.

Institutional liability, in this scenario, refers to religious institutions being held responsible for allowing sexual abuse to occur. This often involves civil claims. Institutional liability can be established in several ways, including negligent hiring, negligent supervision, failure to report, a systematic cover-up, and vicarious liability.

By proving that the religious institution’s negligence directly contributed to the situation, survivors can seek financial compensation from both the individual perpetrator and the church.

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The Statute of Limitations for Seeking Compensation in Fresno

Understanding the statute of limitations is crucial for survivors seeking justice. In California, recent legal changes like the California Child Victims Act have extended the timeframe in which survivors of child sexual abuse can file claims.

Survivors previously had until the age of 40, or five years from the time they discovered their injuries, to take legal action. Additionally, a special three-year window allowed survivors of any age to file civil lawsuits against clergy members. However, new legislation has eliminated the previous time limits, and people can file a claim at any time, even if the abuse occurred decades ago. (§ 340.1)

The legal limitations have been significantly extended recently, especially in civil cases. We recommend consulting a specialized sexual abuse attorney to understand your rights and obtain justice through California law.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Fresno Clergy Abuse Attorneys

At Injury Lawyer Team, we handle a wide range of clergy sexual abuse cases, including those involving priests, pastors, and other religious leaders across various denominations, such as Catholic and Protestant churches. Our expertise extends to instances within the Diocese of Fresno and other local religious institutions in California.

If you or a loved one has experienced clergy abuse, there are several important steps to take to protect yourself and seek justice. Prioritize your safety first. Call 911 or your local emergency services immediately if you’re in danger. Next, document the incident, seek legal assistance, and explore available local resources.

Survivors in Fresno can access support through organizations like the Fresno Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

How Our Fresno Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Can Help With the Legal Process

Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to helping those impacted by these crimes. We begin with a free and confidential consultation to evaluate your case and outline your options. After the initial consultation, clergy abuse attorneys will determine if you have a valid claim and whether the statute of limitations applies.

Next, we conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. We then file a civil lawsuit, or claim, on your behalf and skillfully handle settlement negotiations or trial proceedings. Throughout this journey, we advocate for your best interests at every step.

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The Cost of Hiring a Fresno Clergy Abuse Attorney

At Injury Lawyer Team, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any legal fees unless we successfully secure compensation on your behalf.

Compensation and Legal Options for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may be entitled to various types of compensation, including medical expenses, punitive damages, and compensation for emotional distress.

The amount of compensation available in each claim depends on the severity and duration of the abuse, the strength of the evidence presented, and its impact on your life.

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

If you or someone close to you has been affected by clergy sexual abuse, whether in the present or historically in the form of childhood clergy sexual abuse, Injury Lawyer Team are here to support you. Our team is fiercely dedicated to pursuing compensation and ensuring those responsible are held undeniably accountable.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online contact form.

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.