Jonesboro has had several abhorrent cases of clergy child sexual abuse, including a heartbreaking case of child pornography. No one should ever have to suffer abuse, which is why we offer compassionate support and skilled legal representation for survivors.

If you or a family member survived abuse by a Jonesboro clergy member, the sexual abuse lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will help you file a personal injury lawsuit and hold abusers and enablers accountable.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record of securing substantial settlements for those affected by clergy sexual abuse. Our expertise and dedication make us uniquely suited to handle these complex cases with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism.

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 mission is to deliver justice and facilitate healing for abuse survivors, ensuring they receive the compensation and closure they need. Our legal team is skilled and deeply compassionate, offering unwavering support and understanding throughout the legal process.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our priority is ensuring survivors of sexual abuse receive the financial compensation they rightfully deserve.

We understand the emotional toll abuse takes. This is why our sexual abuse lawyers provide compassionate, skilled support throughout the legal process. We have recovered millions for our clients, helping them deal with the financial aspects of healing.

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Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Jonesboro

While the prevalence of clergy abuse in Craighead County isn’t known, around 80% of total child abuse cases the Arkansas CACD receives are sexual abuse cases, more than the state average of 70% [1]. National-level statistics show one in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault [2].

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests in Jonesboro

Jonesboro has seen several publicly-known cases of clergy child sexual abuse, with the Diocese of Little Rock being the most transparent with abuser names. Known perpetrators include [3]:

Edward Simpson – Blessed Sacrament, Jonesboro (1962-1963). Deceased.
Robert Dagwell – Blessed Sacrament (1955-1958). Deceased.
Nicholas Fuhrman, OSB – St. Bernard’s Hospital (1996-2002) Barred from active ministry in 2002.
Anthony Waller – First Assembly of God Church in Jonesboro. Serving two life sentences for rape, 50 counts of video voyeurism, and one count of child pornography [4]. There have been additional suspicions [5].

Common Forms of Clergy Sexual Abuse

Any sexual act without consent (or where the victim is a minor and cannot give consent) is considered sexual abuse, including:

Sexual harassment – Any unwelcome advances, comments, and requests to participate in a sexual act;
Sexualized materials – Sending, showing, or creating explicit images, videos, and texts;
Grooming – Manipulating the victim to earn their trust;
Sexual assault – Any unwanted sexual touching, including kissing, groping, and rape.

Eligibility to File a Civil Claim for Clergy Sexual Abuse

People who can file a civil lawsuit include:

Child sex abuse survivors and their parents
Adult victims of sexual abuse or assault
Adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors

Liability in Civil Lawsuits for Clergy Sexual Abuse

Victims of sexual abuse can hold Institutions and individuals liable for any action or inaction that led to the abuse.

Individuals may face:

Criminal charges – They can lead to prison time, fines, and registration as a sexual offender. As personal injury attorneys, we cannot represent you in a criminal case.
Civil liability – A personal injury claim against a clergy member and institution seeks compensation for the consequences of the abuse.

Institutional liability is supported by several legal theories:

Negligent hiring
Negligent supervision
Failure to report abuse
Vicarious liability

However, victims of sexual abuse must establish a connection between the institution’s actions or inactions and the abuse.

Let’s discuss the specifics of your case

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Jonesboro

As of recently, there is no statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases in Arkansas. Also, an open revival window exists for previously expired claims until January 31, 2026. You can discuss with a sexual assault lawyer how the statute of limitations may apply to your case.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Jonesboro Clergy Sexual Assault Lawyers

Dedicated attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provide legal support to survivors in cases of abuse by priests, pastors, and other religious leaders in Jonesboro.

This includes the Catholic Church, all Protestant churches, and other religious institutions or affiliated organizations.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Sexual Abuse

If you’ve survived sexual abuse or assault, take the following steps to ensure your safety, health, and legal rights:

Ensure you are safe – Get away from the perpetrator to safety, seek medical treatment, and talk to a person you trust.
Document the abuse – Start building your case by saving evidence such as clothing, conversation screenshots, and medical bills. Write down anything you remember, especially the dates and locations of the incidents.
Do not share details about your case – To protect your case, keep details private while the process is ongoing.
Seek legal assistance – Contact sexual abuse lawyers from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. You don’t need money to ask for legal help form us.
Use local resources and support networks – You can contact the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Arkansas State Police, and the Northeastern Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center.

How Our Jonesboro Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Victims of sexual harassment and abuse need time to focus on healing. That’s why we take care of the entire legal process, including:

Free, confidential case evaluation – Our sexual abuse lawyers will evaluate your case and explain your legal rights.
Case investigation – This includes collecting evidence such as medical records, communications with the abuser, and witness statements.
Expert consultations – We work with psychologists and expert investigators to strengthen your case further.
Filing a personal injury claim – After we build a case, we file a claim to seek compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Help with legal procedures – We deal with procedural requirements such as deadlines and paperwork.
Negotiating the settlement – We will negotiate the settlement with the opposing side(s). If the outcome is unsatisfactory, we can take your case to court.
Court representation – We present evidence, call witnesses, and advocate for our clients’ rights.

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The Cost of Hiring a Jonesboro Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney

Victims of sexual abuse deserve closure, no matter their financial situation. Our law firm works on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay a set percentage of your compensation if we win your case. You don’t pay anything unless we win.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

A sexual abuse attorney can help you recover compensation for:

Economic damages – For costs like medical bills, therapy, and lost wages if the abuse affected your ability to work.
Non-economic damages – This is compensation for emotional distress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and pain and suffering caused by the abuse.
Punitive damages – These may be awarded to punish the abuser or institution for gross negligence and discourage future misconduct.

While we cannot tell you exactly how much you can expect to recover, compensation amounts generally depend on:

The severity of the abuse
The duration of the abuse
The age of the victim when the abuse started
Evidence of institutional negligence

Contact Our Jonesboro Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

The experienced legal team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to provide victim advocacy and support throughout the legal process. We understand that clergy abuse is a heinous crime, and we are committed to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring they are held liable. We will guide you through the legal system to pursue justice on your behalf.

Complete our online form or call us at (888) 424-5757.

Related Practice Areas

Resources: [1] Tarrant Cares; [2] RAINN; [3] Little Rock Diocese; [4] KATV; [5] K8 News

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.