California Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Sexual abuse has been a longstanding problem in California churches and nationally. Thanks to recent changes to California state law, victims have a renewed opportunity to take legal action against the Church and their abusers. If you were abused by a clergy member, our California clergy abuse lawyers can help you take a stand, tell your story, and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
Quicklinks
- Why You Should Trust Herman Law With Your California Clergy Abuse Lawsuit
- Is Clergy Abuse Common?
- Are Any Clergy Abuse Lawsuits Pending Against the California Catholic Diocese?
- What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit?
- What Compensation Can I Recover in a California Clergy Abuse Lawsuit?
- Call Our Trusted California Clergy Abuse Lawyers for a Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
If you have been sexually abused by a California clergy member, you don’t have to suffer in silence or bear the burden of your experience alone. You have the right to take legal action and fight to hold your abuser personally and financially responsible for the harm they inflicted. The California clergy abuse attorneys at Herman Law are ready to stand beside you and fight to maximize your financial recovery.
Herman Law is the nation’s leading advocate for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation in California and across the United States. Our award-winning California trial attorneys have a demonstrated ability to win meaningful results for our clients. We hold religious institutions, members of the clergy, and other abusers accountable—recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for our deserving clients in the process.
If you have been exploited, now is the time to stand up, tell your story, and fight back. Our sexual abuse attorneys in California are here to help you make the most of your case. Call our law offices, conveniently located in Woodland Hills, California, to get started. Your first consultation is free.
Why You Should Trust Herman Law With Your California Clergy Abuse Lawsuit
What happened to you is unforgivable. And while money will not turn back time or heal all wounds, it can give you a sense of justice and relief. Filing a clergy abuse lawsuit can also help put a stop to the clergy’s abusive conduct and protect future victims.
Our clergy sexual abuse attorneys are here to help you make things right. We have handled thousands of sexual abuse cases and taken on formidable adversaries, including the Catholic Church and other religious institutions.
When you choose our law firm to represent you in a clergy abuse case, you are telling the diocese that your allegations are serious and that you won’t settle for a penny less than you deserve.
Our team will take care of every aspect of your clergy abuse lawsuit, including:
- A prompt and thorough investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct
- Deposing and examining witnesses and parties with information relevant to your case
- Consulting with leading experts on sexual abuse and clergy misconduct
- Uncovering a history or pattern of abuse or misconduct
- Anticipating victim-blaming strategies designed to hurt your clergy abuse case
- Preparing your case for trial if you aren’t offered a reasonable settlement offer
We are skilled and tough negotiators who will do everything in our power to get the church or diocese to offer a meaningful settlement so that you can move forward with your life.
However, we will not compromise the integrity of your legal representation to make a quick deal. We thrive in the courtroom and welcome the opportunity to bring clergy members and the church to court so we can passionately try your case before a jury.
We are here as your biggest advocates and most passionate supporters. Our team will stand behind you, help tell your story, and fight to get the results you deserve. Call our California law offices to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more.
Is Clergy Abuse Common?
A study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that more than 4,300 priests and deacons in the Catholic Church were accused of child sexual abuse between 1950 and 2002. These allegations involved 10,667 children and represented roughly 4 percent of all ordained priests in the United States at the time.
Despite a publicly declared zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse in the church, the list of clergy members publically accused of child sexual abuse continues to grow. As of 2023, the clergy abuse database contains the names of more than 5,800 clergy members.
Many of these clergy members belong to the Catholic Church, but other Christian churches are represented, as well. You can find a complete list of California priests credibly accused of abuse in our California predator priest index.
Are Any Clergy Abuse Lawsuits Pending Against the California Catholic Diocese?
The Catholic Church and other religious institutions have paid out nearly $4 billion to survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
Thanks to rollbacks on California’s statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims, other victims have begun to step forward, and litigation involving the Church has continued.
According to the LA Times, at least 2,000 lawsuits have been filed alleging sexual assaults involving clergy members in San Diego and throughout the state. This includes at least 850 lawsuits against the Catholic Church in Los Angeles and Orange counties and more than 1,000 lawsuits against dioceses located in Northern California.
Beginning January 1, 2023, additional victims will have the opportunity to file lawsuits for clergy sexual abuse. Adults who claim to have been sexually abused by another adult can take legal action through the end of 2025.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit?
In 2019, California lawmakers passed AB 218, or the California Child Victims Act, which relaxed the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse lawsuits. Under this law, victims of clergy sexual abuse received a renewed opportunity to file a lawsuit against their abusers.
- Victims of clergy abuse have until the age of 40 to bring a civil lawsuit for damages.
- Survivors of childhood sexual abuse have five years from the date they remember the abuse to file a lawsuit.
AB 218 also provided a three-year look-back window for victims whose claims had expired under the old statute of limitations. The opportunity to file a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit under the look-back period expired on December 31, 2022.
Sometimes, people repress memories of traumatic events in their lives—particularly in childhood. Once you unearth memories of child sexual abuse by a clergy member, it is important to reach out to an experienced California clergy abuse attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
While the statute of limitations has been extended, time is still limited to take action and demand financial justice for the suffering you have endured. Herman Law is always available to take your call and provide the help and guidance you need during this difficult time in your life.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a California Clergy Abuse Lawsuit?
Victims of clergy abuse can experience a wide range of injuries and trauma. Sexual abuse, especially in childhood, can fundamentally change how a victim experiences life.
By filing a clergy abuse lawsuit in California, you can fight to hold the diocese responsible for the costs, trauma, and suffering you have endured. Under California state law, both economic and non-economic damages can be awarded.
Economic damages address financial costs related to clergy abuse, such as medical bills, therapy, lost income and wages, and disability.
Most victims of sexual abuse experience extreme emotional distress and trauma. However, these types of injuries aren’t easily valued in terms of dollars and cents. Noneconomic damages are awarded as compensation for personal, hard-to-value consequences like PTSD, reduced quality of life, loss of consortium, embarrassment, anxiety, and mental anguish.
Punitive damages can also be awarded, particularly in cases where it is clear that the Church intentionally concealed evidence of abuse or failed to take actionable steps to prevent it. Under AB 218, courts can compel defendants in clergy abuse lawsuits to pay up to three times the value of economic and noneconomic damages for cases in which the childhood sexual assault was covered up.
Call Our Trusted California Clergy Abuse Lawyers for a Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
As the victim of clergy sexual abuse, you have the right to take legal action. Don’t underestimate the impact that being abused as a child or as an adult has had on your life. You trusted a member of the clergy, and they took advantage of you in a vulnerable situation, changing your life as a result.
Thanks to relaxed deadlines to take legal action in California, you have the opportunity to make things right. The experienced California clergy sexual abuse lawyers at Herman Law are here to help you take a stand, tell your story, and fight for justice today.
We are leaders in clergy abuse litigation for a reason. We have gone toe-to-toe with the Church and other powerful institutions, winning millions for our clients in the process.
We are here to be your fiercest advocates and your most passionate supporters. Contact our law offices in Woodland Hills, California, to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our compassionate legal team is standing by to help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read full disclaimer here.
