Tucson Clergy Abuse Lawyer

Helping Sexual Abuse Victims Get Justice

Individuals who experience sexual abuse carry the trauma with them for the rest of their lives. When the abuser is a member of the clergy, someone you should feel safe with, the feelings of distrust and vulnerability are multiplied. A Tucson clergy abuse lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

The team at Injury Lawyer Team will walk you through the legal process to seek compensation for the harm you endured. Compensation doesn’t make up for the harm, but it can help you find closure and cover any losses suffered in the aftermath.

Injury Lawyer Team is dedicated to securing justice and compensation for victims in Tucson. Our experienced legal team has a strong track record of handling these cases sensitively and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.

Thorough investigations by our attorneys ensure all damages, including emotional trauma, are fully addressed. Our Arizona clergy abuse law expertise allows us to handle complex cases and fight for your rights.

Settlements Recovered by Our Tucson Clergy Abuse Lawyers

$2,800,000 Settlement for sexual abuse claims that occurred at a summer camp operated by church officials.
$1,500,000 Recovery for a 55-year-old man against a deceased priest.
$14,200,000 Recovery for six young men who were groomed and fondled by a priest at a religious school. The priest was hired at the school despite a known criminal record at other parishes.
$3,000,000 Settlement for a man who was hurt 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.

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What Is Clergy Sexual Abuse?

It is defined as any sexual harm carried out by a member of the clergy or an employee of any religious institution. The victim is often a member of the congregation, but not always.

How Common is Catholic Church Clergy Sex Abuse in Tucson?

This is a significant problem in Tucson, affecting many people.

In the Diocese of Tucson, over 32 priests were credibly accused of sex crimes or sexual misconduct with a minor.
In the Diocese of Phoenix, 17 priests were removed from ministry for sexual misconduct with a minor.

These numbers are likely an understatement of the true scale of the situation because of the under-reporting of incidents and the tendency for clergy to have multiple victims.

Are There Notable Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases & Priests Accused in Tucson, AZ?

Many Catholic priests in the Diocese of Tucson have been accused or convicted of sexual crimes. Here are some notable examples:

Juan Guillen: Convicted for crimes against three minor boys. He served a ten-year prison sentence and was released in 201. He then skipped probation and is currently at large, believed to be in Mexico.
Fernando Manzo: Accused of sexual misconduct while serving as a priest. Manzo is currently a missing person, believed to be on the run after an investigation was opened.
Michael Teta: Accused of raping multiple boys and soliciting sex from the confessionals and removed from the church in 2004.

What are the Common Forms of Clergy Abuse at the Diocese of Tucson?

This takes different forms, and many times, victims experience multiple types of crimes. Common types include:

Unwanted touching: Touching inappropriately under or on top of clothes.
Taking Inappropriate images or videos: Sexual videos or pictures of the victim.
Undressing: Victims are forced to undress in front of the clergy member, or the clergy member gets undressed in front of the victims.
Showing or providing access to pornography: Watching pornography with the victim, showing it to them, or providing them access to it.
Turning conversations sexual: Inappropriate questions, remarks, statements, or requests of a sexual nature.
Sexual acts: Any sex act performed without consent. Minors cannot provide consent for any sexual acts.

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What’s the Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors?

Boys aged 11-17 are the most common victims of members in the Diocese of Phoenix, followed by adult women.

People hurt by church authorities can experience adverse effects for life, including PTSD, depression, and confusion about their sexuality. They also face difficulties trusting authorities and have a deep sense of guilt or shame about the abuse, even though the victim is never at fault. Our law firm can help.

Are There Common Signs of Child Sexual Abuse?

Because children are the most at risk of clergy abuse, it’s helpful for parents to know what to look for if it is happening. These are the most common physical and behavioral signs.

Behavioral signs:

Poor school attendance or grades
Changes in hygiene habits, such as refusing to shower or showering obsessively
New phobias developing
Wetting the bed or having regular nightmares
Knowledge of sex is inappropriate for their age
Suicidal thoughts or depression
Self-harm
Feeling threatened or uncomfortable by physical touch
Thumb-sucking or other regressive childhood behaviors
Symptoms of PTSD
Becoming overly protective of younger siblings

Physical signs:

Underwear that’s bloody, dirty, or damaged
Increased frequency of UTIs or yeast infections
Swelling, blood, or bruises around the genitals
Painful sitting or walking
Itching, pain, or burning around the genitals

These signs are not always related to abuse, but should be investigated. Proper investigation is critical to a successful case and to preventing false accusations.

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Who Can File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuit?

In general, four parties can file clergy abuse cases.

These are:

Child victims
Parents of child victims
Adult victims of
Adults who were subjected to harm as children

The case must directly affect parties, which is why only the victim or the parents of a minor child may seek justice through a lawsuit.

If a church official has hurt you, there are two ways you can pursue justice. First, you can sue the individual. This is against the responsible priest or clergy member. While this may help you if you’re seeking justice, it’s often better to go after the religious organization the clergy member works for under the legal concept of vicarious liability.

Vicarious liability means an organization shares liability when its actions perpetuated the abuse, or its inaction and negligence failed to prevent it.

Common examples of vicarious liability include when priests are moved to new parishes after abuse allegations rather than being reported to the authorities. The church may be liable in a civil claim alongside the abuser if you can show a connection between the organization’s actions and the abuse.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Tucson

In Tucson, the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit is two years for adult victims. If you are a victim of childhood sexual abuse, you may file at any time before your 30th birthday. These timelines were updated in 2020.

The limitations can range from 7 years to indefinitely, depending on factors such as the victim’s age and the nature of the crime. We can review this information during a consultation to discuss your case.

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Types of Cases Handled by Our Tucson Clergy Sexual Abuse Law Firm

These crimes can happen at any time in any religious institution. Our law firm helps victims file clergy claims against priests, pastors, religious teachers, volunteers, and any other associates of religious organizations. Whether your claim is against the Catholic church, the LDS church, the Protestant church, or another denomination, we’re ready to walk you through the entire legal process.

The first thing you need to do is ensure your safety by getting away from the perpetrator to prevent further harm. Then, it’s essential to document the incident details immediately.

Gather records of any communications you’ve had, especially electronic communications you can screenshot and save. It’s also best to see a doctor to document any physical evidence.

Survivors of sexual abuse in Tucson, Arizona, can also seek support from organizations operating within the state to provide resources and community to survivors. These include:

You can also call the national sexual abuse hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to get connected with resources and support you may need.

How Our Tucson Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Every case starts with an initial consultation. We’ll schedule a time to discuss your case with you and plan the next steps. These include investigating and compiling evidence to bring your case forward. Our attorneys will provide the legal assistance you need to fight for the justice you deserve.

We’ll bring your civil suit against your abuser and their supervising organization. Most of these lawsuits are settled outside of court through negotiations. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, the case will be tried before a court.

The Cost of Hiring Our Tucson Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys (Free Consultation)

Our firm handles civil suits involving clergy abuse on a contingency-fee basis. This means you won’t pay anything out of pocket for our services. We’ll work for you at no cost in exchange for a percentage of the negotiated settlement if the case is successful.

This payment model ensures our team has a strong incentive to pursue the largest possible settlement. We win when you win. You don’t need any money to work with us and get a team of expert lawyers behind you. Quality legal services are within your reach, regardless of your financial circumstances.

Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Victims of clergy abuse can sue to recover costs of medical expenses and psychological care, as well as compensation for emotional distress and damages suffered because of the abuse. While exact compensation will be negotiated during the settlement, we’ll work with you to secure the best possible settlement offer.

Compensation can vary greatly depending on the extent of the abuse, the age at which the abuse occurred, the long-term impact of the abuse, and the severity of the abuse.

Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation

It’s time to secure the justice you deserve if a church associate in Tucson, Arizona, has sexually abused you. A sexual abuse lawyer from Injury Lawyer Team is here to discuss your case during a confidential consultation and help you plan the next steps toward recovery.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 or fill in 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.