If you or someone you love suffered sexual abuse in the Church, you could potentially claim compensation and file a sex abuse claim against the Mormon Church. Unfortunately, many cases of sexual abuse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, have recently come to light. Abuse can happen to anyone, including men, women, children, and even the elderly.
If the abuse happened many years ago and you intend to file a historical sex abuse claim, you should consult with a sex abuse lawyer who can inform you whether you still have legal recourse, as time limits for filing civil lawsuits may apply in your state.
Statutes of Limitations in Sex Abuse Claims
Statutes of limitations are state laws that set time limits for civil lawsuits such as sexual abuse claims. The length of time that victims have to sue may vary considerably from one state to another, so it is important to educate yourself about the applicable statutes of limitations in your state.
In recent times, several states have revised their statutes of limitations for sexual abuse cases, in order to give victims the opportunity to fight for justice even if their abuse happened years or decades ago. In recent years, society and the courts started to take into account the long-term physical and psychological effects of sexual abuse on a victim. Some state lawmakers also began to understand why a victim of sexual abuse may not report the offense straight away. As a result, several state laws have changed in recent years.
According to the Associated Press (AP), at least 15 states have recently changed their child sex abuse laws. While some states have extended the timeframe for filing lawsuits for sexual abuse offenses, others have suspended their statutes of limitations for these claims altogether. Some states have also created “lookback windows,” allowing victims to sue no matter how long ago their abuse took place.
This is great news for those who have suffered from sexual abuse, as they may now have legal recourse when they were previously prevented from taking action and holding their perpetrators to account.
Child USA has compiled many of the current state laws regarding child sex abuse. However, if you are not sure whether you can still file a sex abuse claim in your state, contact your sex abuse lawyer for help as soon as you can.
Damages in Mormon Church Sex Abuse Claims
If you had to endure the traumatic and devastating effects of sexual abuse, you deserve justice as well as compensation. In Mormon Church sex abuse claims, you could potentially hold several defendants to account, first and foremost being your abuser.
If the Church knew about your abuse and failed to report it appropriately, you could potentially hold the Mormon Church liable for damages as well. There may be other individuals that you could also sue with your claim. This can potentially open up several sources of compensation.
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the circumstances of your case; however, you could potentially recover economic as well as non-economic damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Costs of psychotherapy and other counseling
- Loss of income
- Awards for pain and suffering
- Awards for loss of life enjoyment
- Awards for emotional distress
Your sex abuse lawyer can help assess your damages. They may also be able to give you an indication about the size of a potential settlement you could receive with a sex abuse claim.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Let a Sex Abuse Lawyer Help You Today
Timely action can be important, especially if your case happened years ago, as you may be running out of time for filing your claim. Also, consider that perpetrators and any potential witnesses might be tough to find after years have passed. Generally, the sooner you act, the sooner your lawyer can start gathering evidence and building your case against your abuser and/or the Church.
We understand that victims of abuse are often hesitant to speak up and fight for justice; however, getting legal recourse can help you get what you deserve and help you move on with your life. Holding a perpetrator accountable may also protect others who may be at risk from a sex offender in the Church community.
Your sex abuse lawyer can initiate your fight for justice with compassion and empathy, always having your best interests at heart. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, so you do not have to worry about incurring any upfront costs. We only get paid if you win your case and recover a settlement.
Find out today whether you can file a sex abuse claim against the Mormon Church. Let us help you get justice. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for a free and confidential case evaluation with one of our team members at (800) 219-9622.
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