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Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Bishop Timothy J. Harrington served in the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, until his retirement in 1994 and death in 1997. On March 29, 2005, a civil lawsuit was filed alleging that he sexually abused a boy between the ages of 11 and 15 on three separate occasions. The alleged abuse included genital fondling, anal penetration, and oral copulation. In response to these allegations, the Diocese reviewed its records and stated that it “found no basis of credibility to the claims.” This particular claim was not included in the $4.5 million settlement the Diocese reached in November 2008.
Although Bishop Harrington had passed away years before the lawsuit was filed, the gravity of these allegations underscores the lasting impact on those who come forward with claims of clergy abuse and the importance of acknowledging their experiences. Individuals who may have been affected by the conduct alleged in this lawsuit, or by the Diocese’s handling of abuse reports, are encouraged to explore potential legal avenues for justice, support, and recognition of the harm they may have endured.
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.
Allegations involving Bishop Harrington, while disputed by the Diocese, illustrate the significant challenges individuals face when reporting sexual abuse many years after the fact. Civil litigation may provide a way to hold institutions accountable for failures in supervision, prevention, or response. Massachusetts law may allow survivors to pursue civil claims related to negligence, institutional cover-up, or failure to act on credible reports of abuse — even when the accused has since passed away. An attorney can evaluate whether a claim may be viable based on your specific circumstances.
Beyond potential financial compensation, civil proceedings may create a formal record of survivors’ experiences, contributing to institutional transparency and broader awareness of systemic failures. Some survivors find that taking legal action provides an important sense of agency and validation — an opportunity to have their experiences formally recognized and to contribute to accountability within the institutions that were meant to protect them. The pursuit of civil remedies, even decades after the events, may empower survivors and help prevent future harm to children in institutional settings.
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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