Clergy Abuse Lawyer Rochester NY | Injury Lawyer Team

Child sexual abuse has been a significant issue in religious orders nationwide, including the Rochester Diocese. Dozens of priests have been accused of using their spiritual authority in the Catholic Church to perpetrate offenses.

Our law firm helps victims of childhood sexual abuse file claims in a personal injury case, using our years of experience to hold Roman Catholic dioceses accountable for protecting abusive priests.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a proven track record of helping survivors seek compensation through civil claims. Our abuse attorneys have successfully negotiated hundreds of personal injury cases nationwide, including those against religious institutions.

$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 compassionate approach helps survivors of sexual abuse feel empowered to seek justice. We will protect your legal rights and assist you every step of the way, giving you the best possible chance of compensation and closure.

Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in the Diocese of Rochester

Clergy abuse statistics from the Diocese of Rochester demonstrate both a widespread culture of child sexual abuse and a refusal to compensate victims appropriately.

• Approximately 485 survivors took legal action against the Diocese of Rochester after being sexually abused by clergy members [1].
• The Diocese of Rochester filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019, only one month after the New York State legislature passed the Child Victims Act [2].
• In July 2024, 439 claimants in the Catholic diocese bankruptcy case voted to approve a $127.3 million settlement [3].
• Negotiations have been stalled by rulings that don’t allow a bankruptcy judge to excuse third parties from responsibility. In the current plan, the diocese’s 86 parishes, considered separate entities, would be protected from liability [4].
• The Diocese of Rochester has been sued in bankruptcy court by one of its insurers, CNA, which would be forced to pay for 335 of the 485 claims for $63.5 million [5].

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests in Rochester

The Diocese of Rochester has faced numerous sexual abuse allegations over the years. Below are some notable cases and accused priests in the Rochester area.

• Rev. Foster P. Rogers – In 1979, this Catholic priest lured a 15-year-old boy into his car and assaulted him. The Rochester Diocese moved him to different parishes for 35 years [6].
• Fr. Matthew Jones – Jones assaulted a 20-year-old man for six months by getting him drunk and engaging in non-consensual sex [7].
• Fr. Eugene G. Emo – Named in 12 separate Child Victim’s Act suits, Emo was registered as a sex offender and transferred six times in 14 years [8].
• Fr. Joseph E. Larrabee – Larrabee molested at least three boys between 1997 and 1991 [9].

Common Forms of Clergy Abuse

Clergy abuse can take various forms, each causing significant harm to victim-survivors. The following list outlines the most common types of violation perpetrated by religious leaders:

• Grooming – A clergy member may manipulate a child to gain their trust and push them toward sexual activity.
• Rape – Under New York Law, this is considered any involuntary penetration of the anus, vagina, or mouth [10].
• Sexual Harassment – This is unwanted sexualized comments, touching, or demands.
• Child Sexual Abuse – Any sexual conduct or molestation, including showing pornography or masturbating in front of a child, can be considered abuse.
• Abuse of Authority – If a priest or other religious authority uses their position to demand sexual favors, this is an abuse of authority.
• Sexual Assault – Nonconsensual touching or sexual contact is considered sexual assault.

The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Studies suggest that the typical clergy abuse victim is a male under the age of 18 [11], though anyone can be sexually abused. 70% of victims do not disclose within five years of the abuse [12], making it difficult to determine who else may be harmed by religious figures.

In addition to issues common to most sex abuse survivors, like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, those abused at the hands of religious figures often face unique challenges, including ostracization from the community and a loss of faith [13].

Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims

According to RAINN, signs that children may have been sexually abused include the following [14]:

• Regressive behavior, like thumb-sucking or bedwetting
• Not wanting to be alone with certain people
• Clinging to parents or other safe adults
• Changes in mood and personality
• Night terrors and insomnia
• Fear of being alone at night
• Avoiding certain places, such as Sunday school
• Age-inappropriate sexual behavior or knowledge
• Wanting to be alone
• Poor school performance

Eligibility to File a Civil Claim

Child victims and their parents, adult victims of assault or abuse, and adult survivors who were abused as children may be eligible to file lawsuits. To discuss your legal options and learn if you may have a legal claim, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Claims filed against individuals can include the perpetrator, who can be sued for financial compensation due to emotional damage, or other clergy who were aware of the harm but did not report the harassment.

The Rochester diocese, or the specific parish, may be held accountable through vicarious liability, meaning they are responsible for the actions of their employees. This responsibility can include negligent hiring or supervising, failure to report, or breach of fiduciary duty, meaning they had a responsibility to protect individuals but failed to do so.

To successfully file a case against Catholic dioceses, an abuse attorney must prove their negligence contributed to ongoing sexual abuse. Such negligence could involve showing that the diocese was aware of the allegations but failed to report them to proper authorities or that they transferred the abuser to another parish instead of terminating their position.

The Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Claims in Rochester, New York

The New York Child Victims Act of 2019 extended the time for civil lawsuits, allowing survivors to file against abusers and institutions until they turn 55.

It also opened a temporary look-back window, which closed on August 14, 2021, permitting survivors of any age to file lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred. The statute was extended for criminal cases to age 28 for felonies and 25 for misdemeanors.

More recently, the Adult Survivors Act of 2022 further expanded options for adult survivors. It established a 20-year statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to certain sex crimes and opened a one-year lookback window that closed on November 23, 2023.

Both acts allow claims against institutions that may have enabled abuse and mandate special training for judges handling these cases.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Rochester Clergy Abuse Lawyers

We handle cases involving clergy abuse in dioceses, such as the Diocese of Rochester in Rochester, NY, and other religious institutions, such as Protestant denominations. We can pursue action against priests, pastors, nuns, friars, and other religious leaders.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

It’s important to act quickly to prevent further harm to a victim. After any assault, take the following steps:

• Ensure the abuser does not have access to the victim;
• Contact the authorities as soon as possible for an interview;
• Gather evidence, like medical records, police reports, and communications;
• Contact our law firm for a consultation.

Survivors in Rochester, New York, can rely on resources such as RESTORE for counseling and advocacy support.

How Our Rochester Clergy Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our law firm will guide you through the entire lawsuit process, including:

• Initial consultation and case evaluation
• Investigation and gathering evidence
• Settlement negotiations
• Filing a lawsuit
• Trial representation

The Cost of Hiring a Rochester Clergy Abuse Lawyer

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we deduct our legal fees from your settlement. You owe us no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win. This arrangement ensures that legal representation is accessible to all survivors, regardless of their financial situation.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors

Compensation for these legal claims can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages

Factors that determine your settlement include the hard financial losses, the severity of injuries, and the length of time that you were abused.

Contact a Rochester Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!

To schedule your confidential consultation, call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

Related Practice Areas

• New York Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
• New York Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Buffalo Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• New York City Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Syracuse Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Yonkers Clergy Abuse Lawyer

References: [1] Catholic Vote, [2] Rochester Beacon, [3] Rochester Beacon, [4] Rochester Beacon, [5] Rochester Beacon, [6] Expert Institute, [7] OSV News, [8] BishopAccountability, [9] BishopAccountability, [10] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [11] National Library of Medicine, [12] Child USA, [13] Child Abuse & Neglect, [14] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network,

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.