CHURCH ABUSE/PRIEST ABUSE
Sexual abuse is a terrible experience to suffer through for any person.
This experience becomes even more frightening when it is committed by a member of the church that you believed had your best interests at heart.
Sexual abuse by Catholic priests should not be permitted under any circumstances. If a catholic priest sexually abused you or a family member, contact an experienced NYC sexual abuse attorney today.
At Oliveri & Schwartz, our attorneys understand how an experience of sexual abuse can drastically affect your life, and we are here for you. Our firm is dedicated to helping you hold sexual abusers and their enablers accountable for their actions. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact Oliveri & Schwartz at 212-987-1100.
Liability in Sexual Assault Cases with Catholic Priests
Many of us attend churches or send our children to catholic school completely unaware that the clergy members that work in these institutions could be committing heinous crimes. The last thought a parent wants to have is that their child was sexually abused by a priest that was supposed to care for them. Unfortunately, dozens of sexually abusive catholic priests have been discovered just within the State of New York.
While it may be painful to confront, a plaintiff in a sexual assault case must provide evidence to show that a catholic priest abused them. This evidence can come in many forms, as most instances of abuse occur out of sight of others. For example, if a child was injured as a result of sexual abuse, this may be used as evidence against the abuser.
It is important to note that a priest may not be the only party that can be held liable for committing sexual abuse. For example, if the diocese had an accusation or some form of knowledge that a priest was abusing children, they can be held liable for not taking steps to prevent the priest’s actions.
Additionally, if a priest was employed by an educational institution to teach or care for children, the institution may also be held liable for a sexual assault committed by the priest. If the priest committed sexual assault against a person while working for an institution, this could fall under vicarious liability.
This legal doctrine makes an employer liable for actions that an employee took while working within the scope of their employment. This means sexually abusing during school hours can make the priest and the school liable.
Sexual abuse is a serious crime that can affect a person for years. The long-term psychological effects of sexual abuse can alter many aspects of a person’s life. To learn more about filing a lawsuit against a priest and the organization they operate under, contact an experienced NYC sexual assault attorney today.
When to File a Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse by Clergy Members
The New York Child Victims Act (NYCVA) makes two important changes for victims of sexual abuse. First, it allows a sexual abuse victim to sue an abuser for their injuries up until the victim reaches the age of 55. Second, it reinstates claims of abuse that were previously barred by the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations regulates the amount of time that a person has to file a particular type of lawsuit. The reinstatement of the statute of limitations by the NYCVA gives a sexual assault victim up to one year to file a claim against their abuser.
Additionally, the statute of limitations for this one-year deadline does not begin to run until six months after the passing of the NYCVA. This means plaintiffs have until August 14, 2020, to prepare for the possibility of filing a lawsuit.
If a member of the clergy sexually abused you, you should speak with an experienced attorney to discuss your case.
Oliveri & Schwartz is committed to fighting for those who were taken advantage of by members of the church that they trusted. We understand how hard it is to speak about sexual abuse, and we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for the trauma you suffered.
Contact Our Experienced NYC Sexual Assault Lawyers to Discuss Your Case
If you or a family member was the victim of sexual assault at the hands of a member of the church, contact an experienced NYC sexual assault lawyer today.
The New York sexual abuse lawyers at Oliveri & Schwartz possess over 37 years of combined legal experience, and we would be proud to stand with you in your time of need.
To schedule a free legal confidential consultation, contact Oliveri & Schwartz at 212-987-1100.
