Syracuse Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Hold Accused Priests Accountable

Dozens of clergy members from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, NY, have been accused of sexually abusing minors for decades, causing untold harm to hundreds of victims. If New York clergy have abused you or a loved one, Injury Lawyer Team can help you get justice. As a Syracuse clergy abuse lawyer, we can help you get compensation.

Settlements Recovered by Our Syracuse Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$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.
$14,200,000 Recovery for six young men who were groomed and fondled by a church leader at a religious school. He was hired at the school despite a known record of abuse at other parishes.
$2,800,000 Settlement for abuse that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

Our attorneys understand that coming forward about sexual abuse is overwhelming, which is why we do everything possible to support you with compassionate and transparent legal advice. Our team will assist you in filing civil lawsuits against perpetrators, helping you secure justice and obtain financial compensation while you focus on healing.

We aim to empower those suffering throughout New York State by helping them exercise their legal rights and share their stories. Our law firm will hold those accused of crimes accountable for protecting abusive Catholic leaders while also ensuring you receive compensation for the emotional harm done by the Diocese of Syracuse.

Statistics in the Diocese of Syracuse

The Diocese of Syracuse, like many others across the United States, has faced significant allegations of clergy sexual abuse. The following statistics provide insight into the scope of the allegations:

There have been 411 sexual abuse claims filed by 387 people against the Syracuse diocese.
In 2020 alone, there were 100 claims filed against the Diocese of Syracuse under the New York Child Victims Act, which temporarily suspended time limits for sexual abuse cases from long ago. This caused a slew of allegations, and leaders were held liable.
The Syracuse Diocese filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 amid an onslaught of credible allegations.
After a bankruptcy court judge ruled, the Diocese of Syracuse agreed to pay $100 million in a bankruptcy lawsuit filed by 387 people; this is the largest bankruptcy court settlement the church has agreed to since 2007.
The diocese previously paid $11 million to 79 survivors in 2011.
Bishop-Accountability, a list of individuals credibly accused of sex crimes in all Roman Catholic dioceses, lists 73 individuals from the Syracuse Diocese with credible allegations from young people.

What are the Common Forms of Catholic Church Clergy Abuse?

It can manifest in various harmful ways, such as:

Grooming – Priest sexual abuse may involve months of manipulating a victim until sexual activity occurs.
Child Sexual Abuse – If any sexual act occurred when the victim was under 18, this is considered child sexual abuse. That includes forcing children to watch pornography, fondling them, or assaulting them.
Sexual Assault – Any nonconsensual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth.
Abuse of Authority – A catholic priest exploiting their spiritual position to manipulate vulnerable people, often for sexual purposes.
Sexual Harassment – Stalking, unwanted romantic attention, sexualized comments, and inappropriate touching or fondling are all sexual harassment.

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Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Minors and their parents, adult survivors, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse may all be eligible to file claims. Our law firm can pursue action against the following parties:

Individuals – We can take legal action against the perpetrator for the emotional damage caused by their actions. Additionally, we may take action against individuals who were aware of the molestation but did not stop it.
Diocese of Syracuse and Specific Parishes: We hold the church accountable for failing to protect individuals. Our approach includes applying the doctrine of vicarious liability, which holds organizations responsible for their employees’ actions, and addressing neglectful hiring and supervision practices. Any cover-ups to protect predators may also factor into civil claims.

Establishing institutional liability is crucial to proving a connection between the organization’s actions (or inactions) and the damage. You must demonstrate that the institution knew about it but failed to act or that its policies and practices enabled it.

The Civil Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Claims in Syracuse

In 2019, New York law introduced the Child Victims Act, which extended the civil statute of limitations up to when the victim reaches 55 years old.

The Adult Survivors Act of 2022 provided additional opportunities for adult survivors to seek justice through temporary look-back windows. This act also allows for criminal prosecution of felony sexual abuse cases until the victim turns 28, while misdemeanors can be prosecuted until the victim turns 25.

For adult victims, depending on the specifics of the case, law firms may be able to seek compensation up to 20 years after the incident. Ask your legal counsel if you can still file a claim.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Syracuse Lawyers

Our team handles cases involving sexually abusive behavior in any Syracuse religious institution, which includes the Diocese of Syracuse, Protestant denominations, synagogues, and temples. We may take legal action against pastors, nuns, friars, rabbis, and other religious figures, such as Sunday school teachers.

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Steps to Take if You Have Suffered Sexual Abuse by Catholic Dioceses

If you are a survivor, follow these steps:

Ensure your safety by moving to a secure location away from the perpetrator
Call the police and go to the hospital for an examination
Gather evidence, such as medical reports and communications, as this will be invaluable in obtaining justice.
Contact a lawyer

Vera House assists victims of sexual violence, including those abused by church leaders, and can offer you support.

How Our Syracuse Attorneys Can Help

Injury Lawyer Team offers top-notch legal representation with compassionate, trauma-informed care. We will shield you from third parties and protect your legal rights as we negotiate.

We can assist you in all aspects of a civil case, which includes:

Initial consultation and case evaluation to determine if you have a case
Determining how much money you may be entitled to
Gathering evidence of the priest’s sexual abuse, including any previous actions taken against the perpetrator
Negotiating for compensation with the Diocese of Syracuse
Filing a lawsuit if we cannot secure a settlement through negotiation
Representing you in court

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

You may be eligible for the following types of compensation:

Medical expenses
Out-of-pocket medical expenses like therapy
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life

If the case goes to trial, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.

The amount of compensation you may receive depends on the severity of the child sexual abuse, how old the victim was, how long the individual was harmed, and the extent of the financial losses.

The Injury Lawyer Team has assisted hundreds of victims in obtaining justice for harm caused by the Diocese of Syracuse, which has protected dozens of leaders from consequences for decades. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we can win you financial compensation.

We deduct our legal fees from your settlement, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to heal without worrying about expenses. To schedule your free consultation, contact us at 866-757-6452 or fill out our contact form.

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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.