If you or a loved one suffered from sexual abuse at the hands of a Mormon Church official, you may want to find out where you can file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Mormon (LDS) Church.
Pursuing legal actions against sexual abusers in the Mormon Church can be a difficult decision, especially if the perpetrator was a Church official. Victims and their families may feel intimidated by unfamiliar and confusing legal requirements and proceedings in a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit. Victims themselves may hesitate to take action because they fear confrontation with the abuser in court or the reappearance of traumatic memories. However, in many cases, a compassionate sex abuse lawyer can help victims and their families with appropriate legal action. They can also minimize any potential negative impact that a sexual abuse lawsuit may have on the victim.
There are two main ways in which you can bring a sexual abuser to justice, namely via criminal and civil proceedings. The government or state typically initiates a criminal court case. Criminal cases serve to enforce laws and punish the sexual abuser with fines and prison sentences depending on the severity of their offenses. A sexual abuse civil lawsuit, on the other hand, is primarily a way for the victims to get justice and compensation.
Filing a Sexual Abuse Case
You can potentially file a claim against your abuser as well as the Mormon Church if you can show that the Church or Mormon Church officials were negligent in reporting or preventing the abuse. In some instances, suing the Church can be your best step for recovering compensation, especially if the abuser has limited financial means.
Filing a sexual abuse civil lawsuit can help you recover monetary awards that can aid your recovery and help pay for counseling and other services you may require as a result of the abuse.
If your sexual abuse case happened a long time ago, it may be a little more complicated to find out if you have legal recourse. However, you could potentially still fight for compensation and justice. Whether you can still file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Mormon Church will largely depend on the statute of limitation in your state.
States of limitations set time limits for personal injury cases such as sexual abuse lawsuits. Until quite recently, this meant that those who suffered sexual abuse many years ago were unable to get justice and pursue compensation. However, there have been some significant adjustments to the statutes of limitations in several states. According to the Associated Press (AP), at least 15 states have recently expanded child sex abuse laws that allow more victims to hold their perpetrators to account.
Time may be of the essence in your case. Contacting your sex abuse lawyer as soon as possible can clarify whether you are still able to hold your abuser to account. Your lawyer can also assist you with filing a sexual abuse lawsuit.
Your Lawyer Can Help You Fight for Your Rights
Sexual abuse in childhood can negatively impact a survivor for the rest of their lives. According to the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, sexual abuse can increase the risk of suffering from psychiatric or medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or mood disorders, and substance abuse problems. A victim may have problems with close relationships and isolate themselves. Filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Mormon Church and Mormon Church officials can help a survivor find closure, justice, and potentially provide compensation for their suffering and monetary damages.
If you are wondering about filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit, you might also worry about consequences, such as the time or financial investment that a court case might bring. This should not stop you from demanding justice, however, as your sex abuse lawyer can work for you and take charge of all aspects of your case.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not charge any upfront attorney’s fees, so you do not need to worry about any financial risks if you decide to work with us. We can help you with your clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in several ways, including:
- Investigating your case pre-lawsuit
- Identifying all liable parties
- Calculating your damages
- Gathering evidence
- Filing the civil lawsuit
- Building your case
- Comprehensive preparation for trial
- Negotiating with the defendant(s)
- Representing you strongly in court
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), in many cases, the parties agree to negotiate a sexual abuse lawsuit settlement. This means that the case will not necessarily proceed to trial. Your sex abuse lawyer can negotiate with the other side and aim for a fair settlement on your behalf.
A pre-trial settlement can be beneficial for sexual abuse survivors, as it typically affords some privacy for all parties. An out-of-court sexual abuse lawsuit settlement also does away with the emotional burden of a trial and the potential of having to face an abuser in court.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will fight to help you hold an abuser to account for their egregious acts. Call us at (800) 219-9622 to learn more about how we can help.
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