If you have a sexual abuse claim against a Mormon Church official, you may wish to find out exactly how much a Mormon Church sex abuse settlement is worth before initiating legal action. However, there is no one amount as sexual abuse cases can differ immensely. The size of a settlement and compensation will depend on the details of your sexual abuse claim, the severity of effects the abuse had on your life, and how many parties you can potentially hold to account for your suffering.
In some cases, settlements can be considerable. In 2001, despite denying liability, the Mormon Church paid out 3 million dollars to a victim of sexual abuse who claimed that the Church had attempted to cover up their sexual abuse. The Church also reportedly paid out settlements to a series of plaintiffs in 2018, who claimed that although they had reported the abuse, the Church did little or nothing about it. Out-of-court settlement amounts generally remain undisclosed.
Compensation You Could Recover
Sexual abuse can have a variety of detrimental effects on the life and emotional health of a victim. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the effects of sexual violence can include psychological, emotional, and physical effects that are not always easy to deal with. A victim may require extensive support and resources.
In a sexual abuse case, you could receive damages similar to any other personal injury lawsuit. This can include compensation for economic as well as non-economic damages. In some cases, you could also receive punitive awards in addition to compensatory awards. If you can prove that the Mormon Church acted grossly negligent in protecting a sexual abuser or failing to report the abuse, punitive damages may be likely.
In a sexual abuse claim, economic awards can include:
- Medical expenses
- Psychological counseling
- Lost wages if unable to work
Non-economic awards can be tricky to quantify as they do not have a specific dollar value or receipts. However, your sex abuse lawyer can help calculate your non-economic damages accurately.
In a sex abuse case, you could receive considerable non-economic awards, especially if the abuse had a long-term detrimental influence on your private life as well as your career. Non-economic awards you could receive can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Reduction of life quality
- Loss of consortium
Any non-economic awards should accurately reflect the emotional scars that sexual abuse has inflicted on you. Some victims have post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and the inability to form long-lasting relationships. Victims deserve compensation for these lasting negative consequences of sexual abuse.
Since compensation amounts can differ widely among cases of sexual abuse, you can speak to a sex abuse lawyer to find out what you could expect in your specific claim. A lawyer can assess your damages adequately and ascertain what your case may be worth.
Out-Of-Court Settlements
Sex abuse cases do not always go to trial. In fact, in many instances, it can be in the interest of the Mormon Church and the abuse victim that a claim remains out of the public domain. This means that your lawyer may stand a good chance to negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the Church and any other liable parties out of court, saving you having to go through a potentially lengthy court case.
However, you may wish to hire a sex abuse lawyer rather than negotiating with the liable parties yourself. They can make sure that all your damages are taken into account, and you do not leave any money on the table. It is important to note that once you accept a settlement out of court, you typically will not be able to find legal recourse. Therefore, it is pivotal to ensure that the settlement is fair and comprehensively compensates you for any expenses and the pain and distress you had to endure.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
A Sex Abuse Lawyer Can Help
If you are curious to find out how much a Mormon Church sex abuse settlement is worth, you should contact us for a free consultation. We will be able to give you an indication of the damages that could apply in your case. It will be important, in the first instance, to find out who you could hold liable in your claim, as well as what your damages are.
If you decide to further your claim, your sex abuse lawyer can be by your side and leave no stone unturned to fight for your rights and an adequate settlement. We can build your case against the defendants, gather evidence, and negotiate an out-of-court settlement. If the parties cannot agree on an adequate settlement, we can take your case to trial.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now to determine whether you have a claim and could receive compensation at (800) 219-9622.
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