Clergy Abuse Settlements

We trust our religious leaders to have our best interests at heart and be there for us throughout life. Unfortunately, there have been many instances where this trust has turned to the sexual abuse of children and adults. There have been numerous sexual abuse allegations within many branches of the Catholic Church in the United States, Australia, and Ireland, among others.

The clergy sex abuse lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team help victims abused by clergy file sex abuse claims against the Catholic Church and other religious organizations that enabled the systemic abuse of young children. 

Settlements Awarded in Clergy Abuse Cases

Many Catholic church settlements are confidential. Therefore, knowing exactly how much money the Catholic Church paid in settlements can be difficult. However, some public examples of settlements available from Catholic dioceses across the country can give you an idea of how much to expect. 

In 2004, the Archdiocese of Newark paid out $1 million for the alleged abuse of 10 clergy abuse victims [6]. No specific clergy members were named in this Catholic Church settlement. The abuse occurred to children decades prior.

In 2024, a federal bankruptcy judge approved a plan for the New Jersey Catholic Diocese to pay an $87.5 million settlement to the 300+ victims of clergy sex abuse involved in its Roman Catholic diocese [7]. 

This settlement for clergy abuse had been in the works for two years through the federal bankruptcy court. It represents a substantial settlement agreement for the abuse survivors that have come forward.

Many of these Catholic Church settlements have been very large. There’s no way to know for sure how much you can recover. Without all of the data on past abuse settlements, it is impossible to know what the average clergy abuse settlement is. 

However, your lawyer can give you a better idea based on the severity of your case and its impacts, the available evidence, and the outcomes of similar cases.

Clergy Abuse Settlements Recovered by Injury Lawyer Team

At Injury Lawyer Team, we understand the profound impact that clergy abuse can have on survivors, and we are dedicated to helping you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. 

• $14,200,000 – Priest grooming and handling
• $4,100,000 – Deacon assault and rape
• $3,000,000 – Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood
• $2,475,000 – Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse
• $2,250,000 – Religious school priest teen sexual abuse
• $1,500,000 – Case filed against a deceased priest

Our team has extensive experience handling clergy abuse cases, navigating the legal complexities to hold the responsible institutions accountable. We have a proven track record of securing significant settlements for our clients, and we approach every case with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. 

When you choose Injury Lawyer Team, you’re choosing a dedicated legal team that will stand by your side, providing personalized support every step of the way.

Types of Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse

Victims of clergy abuse often suffer serious mental and physical injuries. Compensation for these injuries can be recovered in the settlement amounts offered through the civil court process. Different types of damages can be recovered in abuse settlements. 

Economic Damages

Many clergy abuse settlements have claims for economic damages, such as medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages, and property damage. Your clergy sexual abuse lawyer will help you assess your past and future economic damages, including potential legal fees, to ensure your settlement covers all of your expenses. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages provide sex abuse survivors with compensation for their pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress disorder, and emotional trauma. 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are uncommon but utilized as a way to punish the parties responsible and ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future. In clergy sex abuse lawsuits, it might be more likely to have punitive damages added to your case as the particular religious organization in question may have looked the other way on multiple clergy sex abuse victims. 

History of Child Sexual Abuse Cases in the Roman Catholic Church

The 2018 grand jury report on Catholic churches in Pennsylvania revealed decades of sexual abuse against children by Catholic clergy members, Catholic bishops, and other church leaders. This led some states to begin investigating the Catholic Church community in their own states to press criminal charges. 

Accused priests have been in the news for much longer. The first reports of clergy sex abuse in the United States took place in the 1980s [1]. These clergy sex abuse cases may have been going on for much, much longer. There are writings from the Dutch scholar Erasmus that indicate Catholic clergy have been sexual abusers as early as the 1500s. 

Child Abuse Cases Against Other Religious Organizations

A survey of victims of clergy abuse revealed that while 61.8% of the abuse claims were against Catholic institutions, 38% occurred in other institutions [2].  Anytime there is privacy and an imbalance of power, it is an environment ripe for abuse. 

There have been other religious organizations that victims pursue legal action against. This includes:

• The Jewish Orthodox community in New York [3]
• Anglican churches across the United States [4]
• The Mormon church [5]

Long-Term Effects of Clergy Abuse

Clergy sex abuse victims face many problems after being sexually abused by a clergy member. It can have lasting ramifications on a victim’s life. They may suffer their entire lives from anxiety, depression, and trauma. In many cases, they may end up struggling with substance abuse as a way to deal with everything that has happened to them. 

Many survivors do not come forward for many years and struggle in secrecy.

Statutes of Limitations for Clergy Abuse

The statute of limitations is the time you have to file a civil lawsuit against the person who harmed you. This varies from state to state. Often, for acts committed against minors, the statute of limitations can be tolled to start after the victim turns 18, the age of majority. 

Many states have made significant changes to how long victims of childhood sex abuse have to file a claim. Some states, like Maryland, have eliminated them. In others, state lawmakers have extended it considerably. The best way to know how long you have to pursue justice is to speak to an experienced attorney.

Eligibility to File a Clergy Abuse Claim 

Sexual abuse victims and their families can pursue legal action against the clergy members, church officials, and religious organizations involved in their clergy sexual abuse claims. As adults, many victims file lawsuits on their own behalf. 

Federal, state, and local government organizations have also brought forward numerous sexual abuse claims. While these are not civil lawsuits, the religious organizations involved often have to settle claims through these criminal charges. This may mean victims of clergy sexual assault have multiple ways to take legal action and obtain justice.

Contact a Clergy Abuse Lawyer Today!

Fill out our contact form or call toll-free at 866-757-6452.  

Resources: [1] The Ohio State University, [2] Bravehearts, [3] The Jerusalem Post, [4] The Roys Report, [5] Reveal News, [6] Snap Network, [7] NJ.com