Springfield, MA Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Sexual Assault Victims Get Financial Compensation

Clergy abuse is an unthinkable thing that no one should have to go through, but unfortunately happens far too often. The impacts of clergy abuse on the survivor can vary, leaving lasting psychological and sometimes physical implications for the rest of their lives. If a clergy member has sexually assaulted you or a loved one, you need a Springfield clergy abuse lawyer who understands.

Injury Lawyer Team has dedicated clergy sexual abuse lawyers with ample experience in such cases and will protect your rights, seek justice, and fight for the maximum compensation settlement on your behalf.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we have experience, compassion, and a proven track record for helping clergy sexual abuse victims and securing substantial settlements for our clergy abuse victims. Our drive and dedication make us more than capable of handling child sexual abuse claims with the sensitivity and professionalism they deserve.

Our attorneys are on a mission to not only deliver justice by holding clergy members accountable but also assist sexual abuse survivors in pursuing legal action and facilitate the healing that sexual abuse survivors need. We do this by seeking compensation for the clergy abuse, which can help ease the financial burden while they heal, and it also holds their abuser accountable in civil court.

Settlements Recovered by Our Springfield Clergy Abuse Lawyers

As clergy abuse attorneys, we have a proven track record of handling clergy sexual abuse claims. Our team believes in holding religious institutions accountable. These are a few of the clergy abuse claims we’ve won:

$1,222,000 Clergy sexual abuse claims settlement for an adult man who was sexually assaulted while attending a church-sponsored summer camp.
$14,200,000 Recovery for six young sexual abuse survivors who were groomed and fondled by a priest at a religious school. The priest was hired at the religious institution despite a known record of abuse at other parishes.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was abused as a child. This case was settled during litigation, despite the church’s repeated attempts to dismiss it on the grounds of an expired statute of limitations.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.

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Prevalence of Catholic Church Sex Abuse in Springfield

Throughout Springfield, the issue of clergy abuse claims has been troubling. Some unsettling clergy abuse statistics about clergy abuse in this city are:

The Springfield Diocese has discovered that over 40 clergy members have been credibly accused of abuse since 1950.
The former leader of the Springfield Diocese between 1950 and 1977, Bishop Christopher Weldon, has been credibly accused of clergy sexual abuse.
The Springfield Diocese has paid millions in settlements in the last two decades.

Springfield clergy abuse lawyers are prepared to use sexual abuse claims to hold clergy members accountable.

Are There Notable Clergy Abuse Cases and Accused Catholic Priests in Springfield?

Over the years, there have been several notable cases of clergy sex abuse linked to catholic dioceses in Springfield, Massachusetts. Of the dozens of clergy members accused of sexual abuse, here are some of the most well-known cases:

Christopher J. Weldon: Credibly accused and sued for abusing and raping altar boys between the ages of 11 and 16. It was also alleged that he was part of a ring of priests who gang-raped boys.
Richard R. Lavigne: Arrested and charged with abusing five boys and convicted of sexually assaulting two boys. He was sentenced to four to six years in jail, ten years’ probation, and suspended from the Diocese. He was also the prime suspect in the murder of an altar boy, Danny Corteau, in 1972.

What are the Common Forms of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Religious Institutions?

Clergy sexual abuse can lead to emotional injuries and manifests in many ways. Some are more obvious than others, but even what might not seem like abuse can be. Typical forms of sexual misconduct by clergy members include:

Sexual Assault: Any direct and non-consensual sexual acts, ranging from unwanted touching to rape.
Grooming: Building trust with clergy abuse victims and their families to make it easier for the clergy member to facilitate sexual abuse.
Inappropriate Touching includes unwanted touching, such as kisses, hugs, or fondling. It’s often disguised as affectionate gestures when it’s more sinister.
Verbal Sexual Abuse: Making sexual comments or propositions to anyone under 18.
Exposure: Showing oneself to a minor or making the minor expose themself.
Exploitation: Using their position of power within the church to coerce sexual favors.

Consult our Springfield clergy abuse lawyers

What’s the Profile of Clergy Abuse Victims?

Anyone can be a victim of clergy abuse committed by religious leaders, but certain people fit the profile of individuals predators tend to target:

Most victims are between the ages of 10 and 14, but anyone of any age can be a victim of clergy sexual abuse.
Those who have a strong and almost blind trust in religious authority figures.
Boys and girls can be sexually abused, but clergy abuse is more common among boys.
Children who are seeking parental guidance or are from single-family households.

Everyone reacts differently to clergy abuse, and some who have suffered abuse report that the consequences, including medical costs and injuries sustained, will vary from person to person. Some of the consequences and injuries they can sustain include:

Substance abuse issues as a coping mechanism.
Increased risk of suicide or self-harm.
Severe emotional trauma, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Crisis of faith or spiritual connection.
Academic or professional setbacks.
Sexual dysfunction in adulthood.
Difficulty forming healthy and lasting relationships.

What are the Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Child Victims?

Recognizing what clergy abuse looks like and potential signs that someone is dealing with it is critical to early intervention and, potentially, stopping a cycle of abuse:

Anxiety and Fear: Specifically, when mentioning specific clergy members or anything related to religion.
Suicidal or Thoughts of Self-Harm: Extreme emotional distress that manifests in harmful behaviors.
Sudden Behavioral Changes: Aggression, regression to young behaviors, or withdrawal from family and friends.
Inappropriate Sexual Knowledge: Knowing more than they should about sex for their age.
Unexplained Physical Symptoms: Bleeding, bruising, or pain, specifically in private areas of the body.
Sleep Disturbances: Having nightmares, insomnia, or wetting the bed.
Changes in School Performance: A sudden decrease in grades or interest in school activities.

Outside of understanding the statute of limitations on sexual abuse in Massachusetts, there are several categories of people who are eligible to file a clergy abuse claim:

Children and their parents or guardians can file a civil suit with the adults acting on their behalf.
Adults who have been victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Adults who suffered clergy abuse when they were children.

As your Springfield clergy abuse attorney, we’ll need to establish liability. Liability in these cases can involve both the individual perpetrator and the institution that facilitated the abuse.

Individual liability applies to the person committing the acts. They can be sued for financial compensation and, in some cases, face criminal charges.

Institutional liability is a little different. A Springfield clergy abuse lawyer might be able to hold the institution liable in your clergy abuse case on the grounds of:

Negligent hiring and supervision practices.
Failing to investigate or report the suspected or alleged abuse.
Vicarious liability means they can be held responsible even if not directly negligent.

To prove institutional liability, we’ll work to establish a connection between the sexual abuse and the institution’s inactions or actions. This could mean proving that the church knew about the allegations but refused to remove the clergy member.

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The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Springfield

You have to be aware of the statute of limitations in place in Massachusetts for filing a civil suit for sexual abuse. This allows survivors to take the time they need before filing or protects those who might not realize they were sexually abused’s rights to file at a later time.

In 2014, Massachusetts extended its statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. Victims who were sexually abused as children have 35 years to file a civil lawsuit. A key point is that the statute of limitations doesn’t start until they turn 18, meaning they have until they turn 53 to seek compensation and justice.

There’s also a discovery rule that states the statute of limitations can be paused if the victim has uncovered repressed memories of the abuse. When the abuse occurred plays a significant role in whether you can seek justice.

These laws and limitations can be complex and change at any time. Clergy abuse victims should work with an experienced abuse lawyer. Abuse lawyers are always up to date on the latest laws regarding sex abuse cases. We can let you know how these laws impact your case. Experienced attorneys will ask when the abuse occurred and explain how this affects your claim.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Experienced Law Firm

Our abuse lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team have experience handling clergy abuse cases of many kinds and fighting for fair compensation. Some of these include:

Sex abuse that occurred in specific religious institutions like St. Michael’s Cathedral and Holy Name Parish.
Clergy abuse cases that involve institutional cover-ups.
Sex abuse by pastors, priests, and other religious leaders across denominations.
Historic Catholic church cases of clergy abuse by leveraging the extended statute of limitations.
Cases involving different religious institutions, such as the Catholic Church, Baptist churches, and others, in Springfield, MA.

Our clergy abuse lawyers handle child sexual abuse cases against everyone from one church member to large religious establishments. No case is too big or too small. Experienced attorneys will help you seek justice against religious leaders, sex abuse in the Catholic church, or a civil claim against one Catholic clergy member.

Consult a clergy abuse attorney

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Clergy Abuse

If you’ve been a victim of clergy abuse, consider taking steps such as getting a free case evaluation.

If you’re able to, get yourself somewhere safe and away from your abuser.
Visit the hospital for a possible rape kit or to be assessed by a professional, no matter how minor you think your injuries are.
Write down everything you can about the sexual abuse, including dates, times, and locations.
Preserve any evidence that you can, like communications or physical evidence related to the clergy abuse. Evidence can help you prove that the incident with the Catholic church happened, which is vital during the legal process.
Seek support from your loved ones or through survivor resources in Springfield, such as the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests or Victim Assistance from the Diocese of Springfield.

How Our Springfield Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

As your Springfield clergy abuse lawyer, we’ll help you by:

Offering you a free consultation to share your story and hear your legal options. We’ll explore whether you should seek financial compensation against the Catholic church, how the legal process works in sex abuse cases, and your options to seek justice during your free consultation.
Investigate your claim and collect any evidence to prove liability and fault. Clergy abuse lawyers will interview other members of the Catholic church, such as religious leaders, abusive priests, other victims of sexual abuse, and anyone in a church leadership position. We’ll use statements from church leaders to build a stronger case.
Tailoring a legal strategy that’s specific to your case. While we shoot for a settlement, pursuing legal action is always possible, and we make sure our clergy abuse lawyers are prepared. We’ll look at the evidence, such as proof of sexual contact, text messages with religious leaders, and medical expenses.
Filing the civil lawsuit and handling all the documentation that comes with it. Once we have sufficient evidence, an experienced lawyer will submit the proper documents to file your claim. We handle all the legal paperwork so you can focus on the healing process.
Handling all negotiations and communications with opposing counsel. You won’t have to talk to them about medical expenses or the clergy abuse. Instead, clergy abuse lawyers will handle that for you.
Fighting your case in court if we can’t settle outside the courtroom. Abuse lawyers are prepared to go to trial. We won’t stop fighting tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve.

The Cost of Hiring Our Springfield Clergy Abuse Lawyers

At Injury Lawyer Team, we operate on a contingency fee basis. We’ll work tirelessly for our clients to obtain a great settlement, but we don’t want you to worry about any legal fees during that time. You won’t owe us anything unless we settle your case.

Compensation and Legal Options for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Survivors of child sexual abuse by a clergy member may seek financial compensation and be entitled to compensation. Types of compensation we can obtain in your clergy sexual abuse case are:

Medical and therapy costs.
Emotional distress.
Punitive damages.
Pain and suffering.
Lost wages.
Loss of enjoyment of life.

Sexual abuse claims are all different, and the amount you might receive depends on factors such as:

The strength of the evidence.
The severity and duration of the abuse.
The financial resources of the institution.
The long-term impact it had on your life.

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

Religious organizations should be a safe place for people to go to for spiritual guidance, but without accountability and potential criminal conviction, clergy sex abuse within these religious organizations happens more than it should. If a clergy member has sexually abused you or a loved one, Injury Lawyer Team is committed to helping you recover financial compensation.

If you’re ready to take legal action, contact us today for a confidential case evaluation at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our 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.

Springfield Clergy Abuse Lawyer