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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Brother Francis E. Dailey, also known within his religious order as Brother Cosmas, was a member of the Xaverian Brothers, a Catholic religious congregation whose members served in educational and ministry settings. He joined the order in 1900 and over the course of his career served in assignments across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky, New York, and Maryland. He died on November 17, 1961.
Decades after his death, allegations concerning his conduct came to light. The Xaverian Brothers publicly named him on their list of accused members released on July 12, 2019. The disclosure noted that an allegation had been reported in 1999 of sexual abuse occurring between 1951 and 1955 in Danvers, Massachusetts. The order’s public acknowledgment reflected a determination that the allegation met its threshold for disclosure — a reasonable possibility that the offense occurred — even though a full investigation was not possible because the allegation came to light after his death.
With decades of dedicated advocacy, we have held abusers and institutions accountable, helping survivors secure justice and the resources to move forward.
For over two decades, we have focused solely on advocating for survivors, combining legal skill with compassion to guide them toward justice and healing.
We are honored to have guided thousands of survivors through the legal process, offering support, advocacy, and the resources they need to reclaim their lives.
Survivors who were sexually abused by Brother Francis E. Dailey may be able to pursue civil accountability even though the accused is deceased. Depending on the circumstances, Massachusetts law may permit claims against religious orders and affiliated institutions in cases where negligence allowed abuse to occur or go unaddressed. An attorney can evaluate whether a civil claim may be viable based on the specific facts of your situation.
Civil litigation may examine how the Xaverian Brothers supervised personnel, documented complaints, and responded to concerns involving members who had access to minors. Where institutions failed to act on warning signs or did not implement adequate protective measures, they may bear legal responsibility for resulting harm.
Any financial compensation obtained through civil action may help support long-term therapy, trauma treatment, and other recovery-related needs. Many survivors carry psychological and emotional effects for decades, and civil recovery may be one important component of accessing healing resources.
Legal proceedings can also create an avenue for institutional transparency. Personnel files, correspondence, and internal reports may be subject to disclosure, helping survivors better understand how their abuse was — or was not — addressed at the time. Civil accountability also contributes to broader safeguarding reforms and reinforces the obligation of religious organizations to protect the children entrusted to their care.
Every survivor deserves compassion and acknowledgment. This video explains how civil law empowers individuals harmed by clergy abuse to pursue accountability and closure. Justice extends beyond courtrooms; it allows survivors to reclaim their voice and aids them on their healing journey. Survivors across Massachusetts continue proving that truth carries strength and healing begins with being heard.
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Herman law saved my life. Plain and simple. I am forever grateful for my family at Herman law. They brought me and my family justice and then delivered accountability to a corrupt and broken system. They uncovered the agencies cover up and then confronted my perpetrator, holding him accountable. I am forever grateful and can now live a life enveloped in healing and hope. Thank you Herman law family. Love you guys!!
Our experienced and compassionate team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff have extensive training in working with sexual abuse victims.
These cases are complex; however, our team are experts in these types of cases and will diligently ensure our clients are compensated for full and fair value. We always do our best to help our clients heal by giving them a voice
and helping them seek a measure of justice.
Massachusetts Disclaimer:Herman Law has a multistate practice representing victims of sexual abuse in civil cases. A Herman Law attorney is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Each case is different, and results in prior cases do not assure a similar outcome in future cases. If there is no recovery, no fees or expenses will be charged. Attorney Advertising by Jenny Rossman.
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