Victims Come Forward to Report Sexual Abuse By Catholic Priests in New York
Coming forward to report sexual abuse by a clergy member in New York is a difficult decision to make. Reporting sexual abuse that occurred when you were a child is even more difficult because it brings to the forefront feelings and fears that you may have been repressing for decades.
However, more and more victims are confronting their abusers by reporting their conduct and filing claims against them and the religious institutions that protected them. In New York, hundreds of Catholic priests have been accused of sexually abusing children throughout the last several decades. Many of the victims have elected to file lawsuits against the priests and the church to recover monetary damages.
If you were abused as a child by a Catholic priest in New York, call Alonso Krangle, LLP. You will receive a free, confidential evaluation of your clergy sexual abuse case. We understand the importance of discretion, and you can be sure that the information you disclose will remain confidential. Alonso Krangle understands the impact that sexual abuse has on the lives of the victims and is here to help you begin the process of holding your abusers accountable. Doing so may result in the closure and justice you deserve.
The New York Child Victims Act Gives You Time to Sue Catholic Priests For Sexual Abuse
The Catholic church has already paid millions of dollars to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Victims of sexual abuse in New York now have additional time to seek significant monetary compensation from the church and their abuser.
Since the extent of sexual abuse by Catholic priests was uncovered and more and more stories emerged, New York passed the Child Victims Act (CVA). This law, passed in January 2019, dramatically extends the amount of time that victims of child sexual abuse may pursue legal remedies in civil court.
Under the CVA, victims who were sexually abused as children in New York, by priests, clergy members, or anyone else:
- Can file a lawsuit up until the age of 55, regardless of how many years ago, the abuse occurred.
- Has one year to file a lawsuit no matter what age they are.
The CVA means that hundreds of adults who were abused by Catholic priests in New York will have time to seek remedies in a court of law. It is widely known that victims of child sexual abuse often repress their memories of what happened. The shame, guilt, and confusion that sexual abuse causes, makes it extraordinarily difficult for children to come forward. This difficulty often continues well into adulthood. For those sexual abuse victims who have yet to process their abuse, there is now time to do so and pursue available legal remedies.
Compensation May Be Available For Victims Of Clergy Abuse in New York
Since the CVA extends the time to file lawsuits against Catholic Priests and the Catholic church (and other religious institutions), it is important to know what damages may be available should you decide to pursue a claim. It is no secret that sexual abuse causes severe emotional trauma and other ailments that can last a lifetime. What are some common injuries caused by priests when they sexually abuse a child in New York?
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sexual dysfunction
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Self-harm
- Unhealthy friendships/relationships
- Shame
- Guilt
- Unstable employment
- Gambling
- Debt
- PTSD
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Inability to concentrate
- Disruption of education
These are some of the injuries caused by clergy sexual abuse. They can result in thousands of dollars in treatment, therapy, counseling, and medication.
What Damages are Available in New York for Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse?
Pursuing a lawsuit against your abuser allows you to collect money to cover some of the costs associated with your injuries. You may be able to collect damages for:
Medical Expenses:
These can include out of pocket expenses for psychological counseling, drug rehabilitation, prescription medication, and any hospitalizations or medical treatments that you have needed because of the sexual abuse.
Emotional Distress:
One thing is clear: Victims of sexual abuse by priests in New York suffer from psychological distress. The trauma from sexual abuse, as demonstrated on the list above, is severe. This mental anguish is considered in the valuation of your damages.
Other:
Each sexual abuse claim is different, and the amount of compensation will vary. Some additional considerations may include- loss of income, loss of enjoyment of life, and whether the abuse was particularly egregious. Also, if the abuse was hidden, there may be additional compensation available.
Contact Us for More Information About Collecting Compensation for Clergy Sexual Abuse in New York
Alonso Krangle, LLP takes pride in helping victims pursue justice against Catholic priests who abuse children in New York. We will gladly provide you with a free evaluation of your sexual abuse claim, with the understanding that anything you disclose will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Call our New York Clergy Sexual Abuse lawyers at 516-350-5555 today to learn how you can obtain justice against the priest who abused you and the church that protected him.
I was involved in an accident and needed a good Personal Injury Attorney. A friend referred me to David Krangle of Alonso Krangle LLP. After my initial phone conversation with David, I was confident that I found the right Attorney. David was not only extremely thorough, he kept me updated on every stage of my case. Most importantly, he was always available for questions and followed-up promptly. In most cases, the same day. Since there was a 3-hour time zone difference, I was very appreciative from a client stand point.
With his expertise and guidance, I had a successful outcome. I felt very fortunate that David and his wonderful staff represented me.
If you ever find yourself in need of expert legal advice and guidance. I highly recommend you contact David Krangle of Alonso Krangle LLP. You’ll be in good hands!