Many Americans are deeply religious, finding solace and comfort in the church. But what happens when that sanctuary is a place of danger? Clergy abuse has been highlighted in the media multiple times over the last decade, and despite being brought to the light it is still far too common.
Those who are abused by the clergy can easily feel as though they have no voice, and the abuse can go on for some time. Making things worse, the church itself often covers up scandal, trying to move clergy members rather than expose their misdeeds. Often, a lawsuit is one of the only ways to truly get the justice that you deserve.
Trust Violated
Any abuse is terrible, and when it happens in a place that is supposed to be a safe refuge it’s even worse. Our clergy is supposed to be our confidants, people that we can trust with our lives. But children are far too often preyed upon by some who are in power, and they feel as though they are powerless to do anything about it.
The church often covers things up, and have deep resources to use to avoid admitting wrongdoing, stop it from occurring, or allowing it to come to light. Because of this, seeking help from a lawyer is often the only option you have.
Why File A Lawsuit?
The main reason to file a lawsuit is simple – to get justice. Far too often people associate lawsuits with a cash grab, but in cases of clergy abuse nothing could be further from the truth. Filing a case lets your voice be heard, brings abuse to light, and makes sure that those responsible pay for their actions.
A lawsuit can be filed even after criminal charges have been filed and even after a criminal trial has concluded – these civil suits are completely separate from the criminal charges in most situations. But, regardless of the outcome of criminal charges, your lawsuit lets your voice be heard and ensures that you are compensated for what you experienced at the hands of the clergy – and that you get the justice you deserve.
The money you receive won’t erase the pain or take away what happened. But it can give you a better financial footing to try to pick up the pieces of your life and move on after abuse occurs – and sometimes that can be incredibly important.
What Will Happen?
In a case of this nature, we begin by investigating and gathering as much information as we can. If a criminal trial is ongoing or has occurred, we use that information to build your case as well. If the trial has yet to happen, we still build your case using witness statements, medical evidence, and more.
Once we’ve built your case, the next step is often negotiating for a settlement. Many personal injury cases never make it to a courtroom – they’re settled using negotiation to ensure that the right settlement amount is reached. We make sure that you get compensation for your pain and suffering.
If a settlement can’t be reached, our team will go to trial for you. We aren’t afraid of standing up to the powerful – including the church – and we have a proven track record and a reputation for getting our clients what they are owed.
Fighting The Powerful
The church has deep pockets and powerful allies. They have a history of doing everything that they can to avoid paying out a dime in settlements, and try to bully around those that have suffered abuse at the hands of the clergy.
This is a huge part of why so many cases go unreported – they make the victims feel powerless, and with so much power on their side it is easy for them to do just that. That’s why the victimized need a powerful ally of their own.
We are that ally. With decades of experience fighting for the rights of our clients, we are here and ready to make sure that you have a voice. If you or a loved one was abused by the clergy and you don’t know where to turn, contact us today. We’ll make sure that you get the justice you deserve.
