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Father James R. Nickel served in multiple jurisdictions during his ministry, including the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Diocese of Winona, the Diocese of Fall River, and the Diocese of Nassau, Bahamas. He later served with Damien Ministries in Washington, D.C. Nickel died on January 20, 2008.
In October 2014, Nickel was included on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’s list of accused clergy and on the Diocese of Winona-Rochester’s list of priests with credible sexual abuse accusations. In April 2012, the settlement of at least one claim involving Nickel was announced. Two additional lawsuits were filed in December 2014 alleging the sexual abuse of boys in the Fall River Diocese during the 1970s and 1980s. In April 2017, the Diocese of Fall River settled for $880,000 with eight men who alleged abuse as boys by Nickel. In January 2021, the Diocese of Fall River included Nickel on its official list of credibly accused clergy.
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.
Nickel’s inclusion on multiple diocesan credibly accused lists reflects a documented pattern of allegations spanning several jurisdictions and decades. For survivors of his abuse, this history of institutional acknowledgment may be relevant to understanding their legal options.
Depending on the specific circumstances of their abuse, survivors may have civil remedies available to pursue accountability — both for Nickel’s individual conduct and for any institutional failures in oversight that may have allowed abuse to continue across multiple assignments and locations. An attorney can help evaluate whether a civil claim may be viable based on the facts of each individual case and applicable law.
For many survivors, civil proceedings have offered a sense of validation and have supported their path toward healing. Legal action may also create a documented record of both the misconduct and the institutional response, contributing to broader transparency and prevention of clergy abuse.
If you believe you may have been abused by James Nickel, contact Herman Law today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Eligibility to bring a civil claim depends on the specific facts of your case and applicable law.
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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