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 you or a loved one have been sexually abused by priests or other clergy members, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you get justice.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Our clergy abuse attorneys understand that coming forward about sexual abuse is overwhelming, which is why we do everything possible to support victims 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.

$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

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

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Clergy Abuse 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 clergy abuse statistics provide insight into the scope of the issue:

There have been 411 sexual abuse claims filed by 387 people against the Syracuse diocese [1].
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 [2].
The Syracuse Diocese filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 due to the onslaught of credible allegations against its clergy [3].
After a bankruptcy 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 Catholic Church has agreed to since 2007 [4].
The diocese previously paid $11 million to 79 victims in 2011 [5].
Bishop-Accountability, a list of individuals credibly accused of sex crimes in all Roman Catholic dioceses, lists 73 individuals from the Syracuse Diocese who sexually abused young people or adults [6].

Common Forms of Clergy Abuse

Clergy abuse 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 abuse occurred when the victim was under 18, this is considered child sexual abuse. That includes forcing children to watch pornography, fondling them, or assault.
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.

Liability in Clergy Abuse Cases

Child victims and their parents, adult survivors, and adult victims 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 priests may also factor into civil claims.

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

The 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 for child sex abuse 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. The Child Victims 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 justice up to 20 years after the incident.

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Types of Cases Handled by Our Syracuse Clergy Abuse 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 priests, pastors, nuns, friars, rabbis, or other religious figures like Sunday school teachers.

Steps to Take if You Have Suffered Sexual Abuse by a Clergy Member

If you are a victim of clergy sexual assault, 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, like medical reports and communications, as this will be invaluable in getting justice.
Contact a lawyer

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

How Our Syracuse Clergy Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers 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 for compensation.

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 compensation you may be entitled to
Gathering evidence of the priest 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 priest sexual abuse, how old the victim was, how long the individual was harmed, and the extent of the financial losses.

Contact a Syracuse Clergy Abuse Attorney Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has assisted hundreds of victims in receiving justice for harm done by the Diocese of Syracuse, which has protected dozens of priests 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 (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

Related Practice Areas

References: [1] Forbes, [2] CNY Central, [3] CNY Central, [4] Forbes, [5] Forbes, [6] Bishop-Accountability, [7] National Library of Medicine, [8] Child USA, [9] Child Abuse & Neglect, [10] 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.