We understand that you may not feel ready to come forward and have your identity known in a clergy sexual abuse case. You may be able to remain anonymous when filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit. Each state has different laws in regard to anonymity in civil cases, but most states will permit survivors of sexual abuse to proceed in court filings using a pseudonym.
Depending on the state law, our Maryland clergy sexual abuse lawyers may be able to file your case under Jane Doe or John Doe instead of using your identity. We will determine whether you are able to do this for your case. In any case, we will do everything possible to keep your identity anonymous.
Settlement Agreements May Also Be Kept Secret
If you agree to a settlement, we can include confidentiality of your identifying information as part of the terms. This will ensure that no one sees your name as a plaintiff in a lawsuit or a claim form if filed in bankruptcy court. Our team will help you determine if a settlement agreement is the best option for you.
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
Bankruptcy Filing May Allow You to Remain Anonymous
Dozens of churches and religious institutions filed for bankruptcy recently in an attempt to limit their liability in clergy sexual abuse cases – the Archdiocese of Baltimore in particular. When an institution files for bankruptcy, it typically means that all claims against it go through the bankruptcy court and not the civil court.
While this often limits what damages are recoverable, it means:
- You likely won’t need to testify at trial.
- There will be limited, if any, media attention.
- You can typically remain anonymous.
What Can I Recover from a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim?
Our team can fight for justice and compensation for your expenses and losses. In proceeding to a trial court, we can help you recover:
- Medical bills (past, current, and future), including prescription medications or the costs of therapy
- Lost wages (past and current)
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering (past, current, and future)
- Mental anguish
We will help you determine what damages you can recover. Once we have determined that, we will fight for every last dollar you deserve. Nothing will ever make it right, but compensation can help you cover the treatment you need and the pain and suffering you endured.
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Who Might Be Liable in My Childhood Sexual Abuse Case?
Depending on where you’re filing, you could hold your abuser and the entities who allowed or encouraged the abuse to occur. Parties could include:
- A church
- A clergy member
- A teacher
- A school
- A family member
- A religious leader
Our team will determine who you can hold liable.
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How Can a Lawyer Help and Protect Me During My Sexual Abuse Claim?
Our team of trauma informed lawyers and paralegals will protect you as best we can from this process. We will ensure you don’t need to see your abuser and will keep your identity secret whenever we can. We want you to know that you are in control of this situation. In addition to protecting you, we also:
- Determine all liable parties in your case
- Identify all your damages
- Give you personalized legal attention
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Take your case to court if we believe that is the best option in your case (and if you agree to do so)
Our team is dedicated to helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their families. To make things easier, we handle cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees and only pay us if and when we recover compensation and justice for you.
You face no financial risk, and you can trust that we are fighting as hard for your case as you are.
How Long Do I Have to File a Childhood Sexual Abuse Case?
How long you have to file depends on where you live. For example, the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. This means there is no deadline for filing your case.
However, who you are filing against can also determine how long you have to file a claim. Dozens of churches and religious organizations recently declared bankruptcy in an attempt to get out of giving survivors the compensation they deserve. The bankruptcy filing changes everything about how a survivor can recover compensation.
For example, if you were planning to sue the Archdiocese of Baltimore, you must now go through the bankruptcy court. The court set a “bar date” for when claimants must take action.
Per the Bankruptcy Court, the bar date for survivors bringing claims against the Archdiocese of Baltimore have until May 31, 2024, to file a claim. The sooner you get in touch with our team, the sooner we can take action and protect your rights.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney Cost?
A clergy sexual abuse lawyer costs you no upfront fees. We don’t want you to have another worry on your shoulders. You only pay us if and when we recover compensation and justice for you.
Working with our team comes at no financial risk to you.
Resources for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors
We know that this experience is incredibly difficult and traumatic. We have gathered several resources to help you through this process:
- 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)
You can also review our FAQs about clergy sexual abuse for answers to questions you may have. Our team is also here to give you the answers you need whenever you need them.
Let Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Help You Seek Justice Today
Put your trust in us. We are trauma informed and cognitive interview trainged. We are fully dedicated to you and your recovery.
Call Jenner Law Firm today for a free consultation. See what we can do for you.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form