Church leadership should make their congregation feel safe, but many abuse their power. Sexual assault and abuse are far too common in Catholic Dioceses, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are prepared to help you seek justice and recover compensation in Worcester.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are dedicated to helping survivors reclaim their power and get compensation for what they went through.

$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 have extensive experience handling clergy sex abuse cases from several Catholic Diocese, including Worcester. We’ll take on your civil case, fight for the maximum compensation, and protect your rights.

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Prevalence of Clergy Sex Abuse in Worcester Diocese

Catholic Dioceses nationwide have been seeing a sexual abuse problem, but here are some statistics on clergy sex abuse within the Diocese of Worcester:

The Worcester Diocese released a list of 41 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. [1]
There were 209 allegations of sexual abuse in Worcester between 1950 and 2022.

Notable Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Cases and Accused Priests

Notable cases or allegations of clergy abuse in the Diocese of Worcester include the following:

Norman R. Jalbert: He was a guidance counselor at Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School and was accused of sexually assaulting two students, but possibly up to six.
Gerard P. Walsh: He was working as a chaplain with the Massachusetts State Police when a man gave the Worcester County DA a written confession about sexual abuse by Walsh. [2]

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse Perpetrated by Clergy Members

Sexual abuse can take on many forms, but the most common forms are:

Sexual Assault: Non-consensual sexual acts ranging from fondling to rape.
Verbal Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate sexual comments.
Grooming: Building trust with a minor’s family to make abuse more accessible.
Exposure: Showing oneself to a minor or making them expose themself.
Exploitation: Using a position of power to coerce sexual favors.
Inappropriate Touching: Non-consensual touching, usually disguised as affectionate gestures.

The Profile of Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

Anyone can be a victim of clergy abuse, but some individuals are more commonly abused. Most people who experience clergy abuse are children between the ages of 10-14. Boys are generally targeted more than girls, and those who are seeking parental guidance or intensely trust religious leaders are prime targets for predators.

The consequences or injuries of abuse include:

Crisis of faith.
Substance abuse.
Mental health issues.
Increased risk of self-harm or suicide.
Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships.
Sexual dysfunction in adulthood.
Academic or professional setbacks.

Common Signs of Clergy Abuse Among Children

Early intervention is essential when stopping and preventing child sexual abuse. Some signs to look for include:

Sudden behavioral changes like aggression or withdrawal from loved ones.
Bruising, bleeding, or pain in private areas.
Nightmares, bet wetting, or insomnia.
Anxiety or fear surrounding religion or specific religious leaders.
Decrease in school performance.
Lack of interest in things they previously loved.

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Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim

In Worcester, several people are eligible to file a clergy sexual abuse claim:

Adult victims of sexual abuse or assault.
Adults who were sexually abused or assaulted as children.
Children who have been sexually abused or assaulted with their parents filing on their behalf.

Liability in Clergy Member Abuse Cases

Adult and child sexual abuse claims require us to prove liability. There’s the individual perpetrator liable for their actions. They can face civil lawsuits and criminal charges. In many cases, we can also hold institutions like the Catholic Church liable. We can hold institutions liable for the following:

Negligent hiring or supervision.
Failing to investigate or report abuse.

We can sometimes hold institutions liable on the grounds of vicarious liability. This means they can still be liable even if they’re not negligent.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing Civil Claims in Worcester

If you or a loved one want to or will eventually want the option to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser, understanding the statute of limitations in Worcester, Massachusetts, is necessary so the choice isn’t taken from you.

As of 2014, Massachusetts extended its statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual abuse and assault. For those who were sexually abused in childhood, they have 35 years to file the lawsuit. The clock on the statute of limitations doesn’t start until the minor turns 18, so they have until they turn 53.

There’s also the discovery rule that states the clock on the statute of limitations can be paused if someone’s repressed memories of the abuse.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Experienced Attorneys

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have experience fighting cases against abusers in various settings. Some of the types of cases we handle are:

Historic cases of abuse thanks to the extended statute of limitations.
Cases across different religious institutions like Protestant and Catholic churches.
Abuse by all kinds of religious leaders.
Cases involving institutional cover-ups.
Abuse at Worcester-specific institutions like St. Peter’s Parish and St. John’s Church.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, there are some steps you might want to think about taking:

Make sure you get yourself somewhere safe and away from your abuser.
Visit the hospital for a rape kit and to be assessed for injuries.
Document everything you can about the sexual abuse.
Preserve as much evidence as you can.
Seek support from friends and family or local resources like Pathways for Change.
Consult with an experienced clergy abuse attorney in Worcester.

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How Our Worcester Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Coming forward about sexual abuse isn’t easy, but that’s why Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to helping you in any way we can. We can help clients by:

Giving a safe place for a free consultation.
Looking into your case and gathering evidence.
Creating a legal strategy that suits your case.
Filing the lawsuit against all responsible parties.
Negotiating with opposing counsel to come to a fair settlement.
Fighting for your rights in the courtroom if necessary.

The Cost of Hiring a Worcester Clergy Abuse Attorney

While we work on your clergy abuse case, you don’t need to worry about legal fees. We want you to focus on healing, so we have a contingency fee. Our attorneys’ payment is dependent on whether we reach a settlement in your case.

Compensation Awarded to Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Money can’t erase the abuse you went through, but it can be helpful as you heal and rebuild your life. We can help survivors seek compensation for:

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

How much your settlement will be varies depending on factors like:

The severity and duration of the abuse.
The strength of the evidence.
The financial status of the institution.
The overall impact the abuse had on your life.

Contact a Worcester Clergy Abuse Lawyer Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If clergy members have sexually abused you or a loved one, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will help you seek justice and financial compensation. We’ll fight to protect your rights and seek the maximum compensation for what you went through.

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

Resources: [1] Worcester Diocese, [2] Worcester Wall of Shame

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.