Clergy Abuse Lawyer Springfield MA | Injury Lawyer Team

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 impacts for the rest of their lives.

If you or a loved one have been sexually assaulted by a clergy member, you need a Springfield clergy abuse lawyer who understands. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have ample experience with such cases and will protect your rights, seek justice, and fight for the maximum compensation settlement on your behalf.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have experience, compassion, and a proven track record for securing substantial settlements for our clergy abuse victims. Our drive and dedication make us more than capable of handling these cases with the sensitivity and professionalism they deserve.

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

Prevalence of Catholic Church Sex Abuse in Springfield

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

• The Springfield Diocese has discovered 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.

Notable Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests in Springfield

Over the years, there have been several notable cases of clergy sexual abuse in Springfield, Massachusetts. [1] 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-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.

Common Forms of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Clergy Members

Clergy sexual abuse 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 a victim and their family to make it easier for the clergy member to facilitate sexual abuse.
• Inappropriate Touching includes unwanted touching like 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.

The Profile of Clergy Abuse Victims

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

• Most victims are between the of 10-14, 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 from single-family households.

Everyone reacts differently to clergy abuse, and the consequences 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 like 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.

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 around 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.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Claim

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 lawsuit 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.

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

As your Springfield clergy abuse lawyer, we’ll need to make sure that we establish liability. Liability in these types of cases can involve 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. We 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.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Springfield

You have to be aware of the statute of limitation in place in Massachusetts for filing a civil lawsuit 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 component to know about this 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.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Experienced Attorneys

Our attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have experience handling clergy abuse cases of many kinds. Some of these include:

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

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Clergy Abuse

If you’ve been a victim of clergy abuse, there are steps you might want to consider taking:

• 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 abuse.
• Seek support from your loved ones or through survivor resources in Springfield, such as the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 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.
• Investigate your claim and collect any evidence to prove liability and fault.
• Tailoring a legal strategy that’s specific to your case.
• Filing the civil lawsuit and handling all the documentation that comes with it.
• Handling all negotiations and communications with opposing counsel.
• Fighting your case in court if we can’t settle outside the courtroom.

The Cost of Hiring Our Springfield Clergy Abuse Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, 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 for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Survivors of child sexual abuse by a clergy member may 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 a Springfield Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!

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.

Related Practice Areas

• Massachusetts Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
• Massachusetts Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Boston Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Cambridge Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Lowell Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Worcester Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Resources: [1] Roman Catholic Diocese

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.