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Father James H. Coffey served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, including an assignment at Sacred Heart Parish in Lynn, Massachusetts from 1946 to 1949. A civil lawsuit was filed against the Archdiocese alleging that Coffey sexually abused a young boy in 1949. According to the complaint, the victim was approximately 10 years old at the time and was a parishioner at Sacred Heart in Lynn, where Coffey was assigned. The abuse allegedly took place inside Coffey’s jeep in or around the Lynn Woods Reservation in Lynn, Massachusetts.
The lawsuit was settled in June 2023. While civil settlements do not constitute admissions of liability or findings of guilt, the resolution of this claim reflects that legal accountability for clergy abuse may remain available to survivors even when significant time has passed since the alleged harm occurred.
Coffey’s position as a parish priest gave him direct access to children and families who trusted him as a spiritual leader and authority figure. That trust was allegedly exploited to harm a vulnerable child. The 2023 settlement — reached more than seven decades after the alleged sexual abuse occurred — is one example of survivors seeking civil accountability for conduct alleged to have taken place long ago.
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 of sexual abuse by Father James H. Coffey may be able to pursue civil claims in connection with his alleged conduct during his assignment at Sacred Heart Parish in Lynn. The Archdiocese of Boston settled a claim related to that assignment in June 2023, more than seven decades after the alleged abuse is said to have occurred.
Civil litigation may compel the Archdiocese to produce internal records and personnel files related to Coffey’s assignment history, potentially clarifying what, if anything, officials knew or documented regarding his conduct or access to children during his ministry. The circumstances of the alleged sexual abuse occurring within a parish setting where Coffey held a position of pastoral trust may be relevant to questions of institutional oversight and supervisory responsibility.
For survivors, civil proceedings may provide compensation for therapy, long-term psychological harm, and emotional distress. They may also produce a formal record of institutional accountability. If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Father James H. Coffey, you may have legal options available. We encourage you to contact Herman Law to discuss your potential claim in a confidential consultation.
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.
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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