Clergy Abuse Lawyer Silver Spring MD | Injury Lawyer Team

Catholic Churches across the nation have been dealing with allegations of sexual abuse for decades, and Silver Spring isn’t an exception. The impact of clergy abuse has devastated countless lives, causing mental anguish and lasting trauma.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of clergy sexual abuse, it’s important to know that you have the right to seek legal support. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the justice and compensation you need to heal and move forward.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are dedicated to helping Maryland survivors seek justice and financial compensation for the sexual assault or abuse they endured. Our experience and compassion make us uniquely qualified to help survivors share their stories.

$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 commitment to justice is evident in our proven track record of securing substantial settlements for our clients. We offer unwavering support to survivors throughout every step of the legal process.

Prevalence of Clergy Sexual Abuse in Silver Spring

Silver Spring belongs to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and the clergy abuse statistics in this area and throughout the diocese showcase the issue at hand:

• More than 150 Catholic priests were accused of abusing more than 600 children over 80 years. [1]
• The Archdiocese of Washington, which includes Silver Spring, has publicly listed 31 clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse since 1948.

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests

Silver Springs is part of the Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD. Some of the more notable clergy sexual abuse cases in this area are:

• Thomas C. Chelboski Jr.: He started abusing young boys before he was ordained but then removed from ministry in 1990. He was then convicted of sexually abusing two 13-year-old boys in 1991 and sentenced to 22 years in prison and 15 years probation.
• Russell L. Dillard: Two sisters alleged that he kissed and fondled them when they were teenagers. He was removed from the ministry in 2002.
• Howard F. Yeakle: In the 1960s, he sexually abused three brothers and another boy after becoming a father figure to their family following their father’s death. The Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD, publicly named him as accused on the released list.

Common Forms of Clergy Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse comes in many forms, but the most common forms are:

• Grooming: Taking the time to build trust with a child’s family to make it easier to facilitate sexual abuse.
• Exposure: Coercing a minor into exposing themself or exposing oneself to a minor.
• Exploitation: Religious leaders abusing their positions of power to manipulate someone into performing sexual favors.
• Inappropriate Touching: Unwanted touches like hugs or fondling, sometimes disguised as pastoral gestures or affection.
• Sexual Assault: Non-consensual sexual acts ranging from unwanted touching to rape.
• Sexual Verbal Abuse: Making inappropriate sexual comments.

The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Anyone can be a victim of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church or other religious institutions, but there is a typical victim profile:

• Children, specifically those between 10 and 14 years old
• Boys are more commonly abused than girls
• Children from single-family households or who are seeking a parental figure
• Those with a strong faith in religion and authority figures

Some of the consequences of a child who has been through sexual abuse or assault are:

• Substance abuse issues
• Emotional distress like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sexual dysfunction in adulthood
• Challenges with forming trusting relationships
• Academic or professional setbacks
• Increased risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts

Common Signs of Clergy Child Sexual Abuse

Being able to identify the signs of childhood sexual abuse will help stop abuse from continuing or happening to other children. Common signs include:

• Unexpected struggles with school
• Increased fear and anxiety around religion or certain clergy members
• Sleep issues like bed-wetting, nightmares, or insomnia
• Knowing too much about sex for their age
• Sudden behavioral changes like being aggressive, regressing to younger behaviors, or withdrawing from loved ones

Eligibility to File Civil Lawsuits for Clergy Abuse

Certain people are eligible to file a civil sexual abuse and seek compensation:

• Child victims with their legal guardians acting on their behalf
• Adults who were victims of sexual assault or abuse in adulthood
• Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

When it comes to sexual abuse claims, liability doesn’t always fall solely on the individual perpetrator, such as the catholic priest. Individual liability means the perpetrator can be sued in civil suits and also face criminal charges.

In institutional liability, we can hold the Catholic Church and other religious institutions liable for sexual abuse and assault on certain legal principles, such as:

• Failing to report or investigate allegations of sexual abuse
• Negligent supervising, hiring, or retention practices
• Vicarious liability, where they’re held responsible for the actions of their employees

Proving the link between institutional negligence and clergy abuse is key to holding religious organizations accountable.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Silver Spring

The statute of limitations is important to know if you plan on filing a civil lawsuit in Maryland. In Silver Spring and the rest of Maryland, adults have three years from the date the abuse occurred or was discovered to file. For child sexual abuse cases, the Maryland Child Victims Act has eliminated the statute of limitations, meaning children can file at any point.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Silver Spring Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experience securing settlements for clergy abuse cases. Some of these include:

• Abuse at Catholic Church, Protestant Church, or other Silver Spring religious institutions and parishes
• Abuse by pastors, catholic priests, and any other religious leader in the Silver Spring community.
• Cases of institutional cover-ups or failures to protect members from childhood sexual abuse
• Historic cases of sexual abuse

We handle cases involving clergy sexual abuse in dioceses such as the Archdiocese of Washington, which includes Silver Spring and Montgomery County. Our attorneys understand these cases’ unique challenges and sensitivities and provide compassionate, confidential legal representation.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

Here are some steps to take if you are a victim of clergy sexual abuse:

• Ensure your safety by getting away from your abuser.
• Visit the hospital for a rape kit or to be assessed by a doctor, regardless of if you have visible injuries or not.
• Document dates, times, and locations of abuse to strengthen your sexual assault or abuse claim.
• Preserve any evidence, like your clothing, to strengthen your case.
• Reach out to friends and family for support as well as local resources in Silver Spring, like Maryland Rape Crisis and Recovery Centers by Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA).
• Consider hiring an experienced adult or childhood sexual abuse lawyer when you’re ready to seek justice and compensation.

How Our Silver Spring Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Our experienced team of attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is prepared to help survivors of sexual assault and abuse by:

• Providing a safe place for your free consultation.
• Thoroughly investigating your claim and collecting evidence to support the case.
• Strategically planning a legal defense to secure the maximum compensation.
• Filing a lawsuit on your behalf.
• Negotiating a fair settlement.
• Representing you at trial if we can’t reach a settlement outside the courtroom.

The Cost of Hiring a Silver Spring Clergy Abuse Attorney

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us a dime unless we reach a settlement in your case. After that, any legal fees will be based on your settlement.

Compensation Awarded to Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Our legal team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experience seeking various types of compensation for many survivors of clergy sexual assault:

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

Your settlement will vary depending on the specifics of your clergy sexual abuse case. Factors that will influence the amount include:

• The strength of the evidence
• The severity and duration of the abuse
• The overall impact it’s had on your life
• The financial resources of the liable institutions

Contact a Silver Spring Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!

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

Related Practice Areas

• Maryland Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
• Maryland Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Baltimore Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Columbia Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Germantown Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Waldorf Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] APNews

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.