The deadline for sexual abuse claims against the Baltimore Archdiocese is May 31, 2024. If you do not file a claim before that deadline, you will likely be unable to take action against your abuser and the entity that allowed the abuse to occur.
This deadline is why it is so important to get in touch with our Baltimore clergy sexual abuse lawyers right now.
But didn’t the New Law Passed in 2023 Eliminate the Statute of Limitations?
The law enacted in 2023, called the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, did eliminate the statute of limitations (time limit) for child sexual abuse lawsuits. This should mean that you have as much time as you need to start to come to terms with what happened to you, come forward, and take legal action.
However, in an attempt to get out of paying for its wrongdoing, the Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy days before the new law took effect. The Archdiocese claims it had to file for bankruptcy because it feared it wouldn’t be able to pay all the claims that would come in after the new law took effect on October 1, 2023. Because the Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy, all claims must go through bankruptcy court, not civil court.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore wanted a very strict deadline of February 26, 2024, while the survivors wanted a deadline of June 1, 2024. According to The Washington Post, a federal bankruptcy judge created the May 31, 2024 deadline as a compromise. This new deadline is known as a “bar date.”
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
What does Bankruptcy Mean for My Claim Against the Archdiocese of Baltimore?
The most important thing is that you have much less time than we originally hoped to take legal action. However, our team is prepared to jump into the fight at a moment’s notice.
Bankruptcy also changes how you go about getting justice and compensation. As mentioned above, you must go through the bankruptcy court. This changes the process that you must navigate through:
- You may recover less compensation than you deserve and would have recovered through a civil claim.
- You may be able to remain anonymous.
- You may not need to give testimony about the abuse you endured.
- There may be no media coverage.
- You may experience less stress.
What this doesn’t mean is that you don’t have options. Our team has remained aware of any and all changes to time limits and is prepared to file a claim for you.
Does this Deadline Apply to All Claims Against All Archdioceses in Maryland?
No. As of April 2024, the bar date only applies to childhood sexual abuse cases against the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
However, we recommend that you act as quickly as you can because many other churches and religious institutions have declared bankruptcy. This could mean that a bar date may be created for clergy sexual abuse claims against other institutions. Acting quickly can help avoid any complications from popping up in your claim.
We can help with claims against any Archdiocese or religious institution. Our team will do everything in our power to abide by any potential deadlines, but we need time to build your case.
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Do I Need a Lawyer for My Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
The law does not require you to hire a clergy sexual abuse attorney to file a personal injury claim or to navigate the bankruptcy court system. However, this is not something you may want to handle alone. You want to work with someone you can trust to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
We are dedicated to seeking justice for those who suffered abuse by those who exploited their trust. While this bankruptcy filing and deadline are a blow to all those seeking closure, we will fight tooth and nail to protect you and ensure your story is heard, if that’s what you want. Our team will:
- Handle all communications with the Archdiocese, your abuser, and their lawyers
- Prepare you for any testimony you may need to give
- Ensure that you are as comfortable as possible during this process
- Answer any questions you may have
- Advise you on the steps you should take
We regularly handle these cases, so we have compassion and an understanding of how difficult this process can be for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their families. We will handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to be as involved as you want. This ensures that you have the time you need to focus on spending time with your family and seeking therapy if that is part of your journey.
While you do what you can to move forward, you can trust us to handle your case. We know it’s hard to trust anyone at this time, but our team truly has your best interests at heart.
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How Much Will a Child Sexual Abuse Attorney Cost Me?
Justice shouldn’t have a price tag. Neither should the legal representation you hire to fight for that justice. Our team wants to ensure that everyone can afford our services. This is why we handle cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay us no upfront fees and only pay attorney’s fees if and when we recover compensation for you. If we do not make a recovery on your behalf, you owe us nothing.
There’s no anxiety about how you’ll afford legal representation when you work with us.
Stay Ahead of the Deadline for Sexual Abuse Claims Against the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Our team will do whatever we can to ensure your claim is filed before the deadline expires. However, we need you to call us as soon as possible so we can get started.
Take some of the burden off your shoulders and place it on ours. Call Jenner Law today for a free consultation.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form