Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Oscar A. Gatineau was a priest ordained for the Diocese of Worcester who served in Massachusetts parishes until his death in November 1964. In March 2005, a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of an incarcerated plaintiff alleged that Gatineau sexually abused a boy for approximately one year. The suit further claimed that Gatineau witnessed the plaintiff being abused by another priest without intervening to protect the child.
The same lawsuit alleged that the plaintiff was sexually abused by multiple individuals, including his uncle, two separate bishops, and other priests — all of whom were assigned to either the Diocese of Worcester or the Diocese of Springfield. At the time the suit was filed, the plaintiff was incarcerated in a Texas prison for an unrelated murder. The Worcester Diocese stated that it had investigated the claims and did not find them to be credible. Because Gatineau died in 1964 — decades before the allegations became public — no legal or ecclesiastical proceedings addressed the claims during his lifetime.
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 clergy abuse faced distinctive challenges when the accused priest died before allegations became public. While criminal prosecution is no longer possible, Massachusetts law may preserve civil remedies that allow survivors to seek accountability from the institutions that failed them, depending on individual circumstances. Such claims typically focus not on the deceased priest himself, but on the institutional conduct of the diocese — including how it supervised its clergy and whether it took adequate steps to protect children in its care.
Civil litigation, where available, can allow survivors and their counsel to examine what Church officials knew about abusive clergy, when they knew it, and what steps — if any — were taken to protect parishioners. The discovery process may reveal patterns of institutional knowledge, transfers of problematic priests, and decisions that prioritized avoiding scandal over safeguarding children. Both the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Springfield were named as defendants in the 2005 lawsuit involving Father Gatineau.
When survivors pursue civil claims decades after abuse occurred, they perform a vital public service by compelling religious institutions to confront their history. Compensation that may be available through these cases can help address the long-term harm caused by clergy sexual abuse, and the public record established through litigation can contribute to holding institutions accountable for their failures to protect children.
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.
Attorney Advertising Disclaimer
This is an advertisement for legal services. The content provided is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect current legal developments. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Legal outcomes depend on numerous factors, including specific facts, applicable law, opposing parties, and other circumstances. Do not take action based solely on the information in this advertisement. Every case is different. Any discussion of past results is for illustrative purposes only and does not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. No statement in this advertisement should be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of results. In the absence of a recovery, no fee will be charged to you and you will not be liable for any litigation expenses.
Attorney-Client Relationship & Confidentiality
Viewing this advertisement, contacting our firm, or requesting a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Such a relationship is only formed through a signed agreement with our firm. Any information shared between you and our firm before an attorney-client relationship is established is not confidential, privileged, or protected from disclosure. If you require immediate legal assistance, please contact our office directly.
Responsibility for Content
This advertisement is sponsored by Herman Law Firm.
Data Collection & Tracking
This advertisement may use tracking technology and allow third parties, including Meta, to collect data from user interactions for advertising and analytics purposes. These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies for targeted advertising. To learn more about data collection practices and opt-out options, visit: https://optout.aboutads.info/?c=2&lang=EN.
Call us: 1 866 850 3766 
call us: 1 866 850 3766 
Message Us 
Call Us