The damages a survivor of clergy sexual abuse can seek depend on the specifics of their experience. However, they can typically recover anything from medical bills to pain and suffering. Our Baltimore clergy sexual abuse lawyer can investigate your case and determine the damages you can recover.
Medical Bills
Sexual abuse survivors may require counseling, prescription medications, and mental health support for the rest of their lives. You should not be responsible for covering these costs.
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
Lost Wages/Lost Earning Capacity
If you are unable to work due to the effects of the sexual abuse you suffered, we will fight for those lost wages. You can recover any wages for any time you need to take off.
You can also recover compensation if the effects of your abuse require you to take a lower-paying job or retire.
Pain and Suffering
Childhood sexual abuse sets up survivors with a lifetime of pain and suffering and mental anguish. Many survivors are unable to trust people, have lost faith in their church, and may be unable to form relationships—romantic or otherwise.
You deserve compensation for the emotional and physical pain you suffered. We will fight for all your non-economic damages.
Any costs you incurred due to the abuse you suffered are compensable. If possible, you should keep copies of all your receipts and bills in a folder in a safe place. If you are comfortable doing so, you could also keep a “pain journal” detailing how the abuse you suffered affects your daily life.
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Who You File Against Can Impact What You Recover
The Archdiocese of Baltimore (and several other churches and religious institutions) filed for bankruptcy in September 2023. A bankruptcy limits what claimants are able to recover. You may recover less through the bankruptcy court than you would through a civil claim. Our team can help you determine what you are able to recover in your clergy sexual abuse case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Should I Join a Class Action?
We won’t recommend that you join a class action as the abuse you suffered and its effects are personal to you. We want to ensure that you are treated as an individual, not just a member of a group. We will fight for YOU and YOUR justice. At Jenner Law, our goal is this: to give you the personalized attention that you deserve.
How Does the Maryland Child Victims Act Affect My Case?
The Maryland Child Victims Act raises the damages cap for survivors of clergy abuse. Before the law was passed, the damages cap was $400,000 for cases against government entities. The damages cap has been raised to $890,000. The cap for non-economic damages in cases against private entities has been increased to $1.5 million.
Other states may have laws that make it easier for survivors to recover what they need.
How Long Do I Have to File My Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits. This means that survivors can take legal action even several decades after their abuse.
However, the Archdiocese of Baltimore (and many other religious institutions) filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid taking responsibility for the abuse they allowed. At a December 2023 meeting in Baltimore bankruptcy court, the court ordered that any survivors filing a claim against the Archdiocese of Baltimore will only have until May 31, 2024, to take action. This is the case’s “bar date.”
You need to act quickly to ensure you get the justice you deserve. Once you contact us, we’ll handle everything on your behalf.
Note: While the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy filing does not affect clergy sexual abuse cases against other entities, you still want to act quickly, as dozens of Catholic churches and other religious institutions have recently declared bankruptcy.
If you are filing outside of Maryland, your state may have statutes of limitations you must abide by or a look-back period allowing you to seek justice years after your abuse. Our team can help you determine whether you have time to file a case.
Who Can I Hold Liable for the Abuse I Suffered?
The Maryland Child Victims Act changed the definition of child sexual abuse. The law now enables survivors to sue abusers and anyone who “allowed or encouraged” the abuse. This could mean you might hold any of the following liable:
- A clergy member
- Religious leaders
- A teacher
- A family member
- An Archdiocese or other religious institution
- A school
Our child sexual abuse attorneys will investigate to determine all potentially liable parties.
Resources for Child Sexual Abuse and Clergy Abuse Survivors
You may feel like you have nowhere to turn. We have created a list of resources to get you the help you need:
- 1in6
- The American Psychological Association’s Psychologist Locator
- Hidden Water
- The Lamplighter Movement
- Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
- MaleSurvivor
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) (SNAP has several resources)
We also have several clergy abuse FAQs that can give you the information you need about holding an abuser or religious institution liable.
Can I Afford a Lawyer for My Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
Yes. We handle cases for sexual abuse survivors on a contingency-fee basis. This means that we don’t accept retainers or upfront fees. Our clergy sexual abuse attorneys only get paid for our time if we win your case. We will go over this fee agreement with you so there are absolutely no surprises when you work with us. We want you to be able to trust us and know that we have your best interests in mind.
You take on no financial risk when you work with our team.
Our Team Will Fight for Justice for You
You have had your trust betrayed in the worst possible way. The people who were supposed to protect you injured you in unimaginable ways. You can trust us to help you tell your story in a compelling, confidential way.
Call Jenner Law today for a free consultation. We can discuss what you might be eligible to recover through a clergy sexual abuse claim and what you can expect from the process.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form