Clergy abuse is a devastating breach of trust. Many of us consider our religious leaders as authority figures in our lives and deserving of respect. Abusers know the position they hold and take advantage of it to assault their victims and keep their crime a secret for years. Any child sexual abuse is a horrific crime. Victims could hold an abuser and their employer liable for damages to help them recover from the assault.
If you or a family member were a victim of clergy abuse, you have a right to seek compensation. The abuse you suffered was not your fault, and it is your right to file a lawsuit for damages. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm serves the Suffolk County area, and we want to help you. Call our team today at (800) 219-9622 for a free case evaluation. We can pair you with a Huntington clergy abuse lawyer to pursue your claim.
Clergy Abuse Is a Worldwide Problem
New York alone has hundreds of accused clergy members. The problem of clergy abuse, though, is not unique to New York. Victims continue to come forward, pressing cases from around the world of decades-old abuse accusations. Thousands of people have experienced the horror of clergy abuse. You are not alone, and you have a right to seek compensation for what you have endured.
It can take many years before a child can understand and communicate what happened to them. The New York Legislature passed the Child Victims Act, which Governor Andrew Cuomo signed in 2019 to ensure that victims have ample time to bring lawsuits against their abusers.
Often, the organization that employed the abuser could have liability as well if it attempted to hide the allegations or did nothing in response to them. Newsweek reported that as of 2018, the Catholic Church had paid nearly $4 billion in settlements for sexual abuse cases.
Long-Term Effects of Abuse
Sexual assault is an act with long-term consequences for the victim. Even after the abuse stops, the victim must deal with the physical and emotional aftermath. Sometimes, these issues haunt them for the rest of their lives. Some of the problems that victims could face include:
- Depression
- Sexual problems
- Relationship problems
- Guilt
- Shame
- Low self-esteem
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
These effects can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drug abuse. Some victims even attempt suicide. It is difficult, painful, costly, and time-consuming for victims of sexual assault to overcome what they have endured. You have a right to compensation for these hardships. A Huntington clergy abuse lawyer can tell you the next best steps for your case.
Recover Damages
If you have suffered at the hands of a clergy member, you can seek compensation. You can pursue damages to cover medical bills, including psychiatric therapy, lost wages from work, and pain and suffering. It can take a lot to cope with the reality of sexual abuse that you or a loved one suffered. Putting together a case to get compensation for the aftermath of that abuse can seem overwhelming. A clergy abuse lawyer from our team can help you. We know the law in New York, and we can do the work.
New York’s Child Victims Act
It can be exceedingly difficult for a child victim of sexual abuse to tell a parent or guardian what happened to them. Their abuser might lead them to believe that it is their fault, or they could fear telling someone will result in trouble for them. If you were a child victim yourself, you might think it is too late for you to get compensation for what happened. Recent changes to New York law, though, make it possible for you to recover compensation for your injuries.
New York Senate Bill S2440, also known as the Child Victims Act, adjusted the standard statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. Adults who suffered sexual abuse as children can now file a lawsuit even if the abuse happened decades ago. An adult victim can begin a lawsuit no matter how long ago the abuse happened until they are 55 years old. You can discuss your case in detail with a lawyer to understand how this act and other statutes will affect your case.
The abuser could also face criminal charges for assaulting a minor until the victim turns 28. That time limit does not affect your ability to file a civil lawsuit, though.
In addition, New York Senate Bill S7082 extended the time during which victims can file a lawsuit even if a court previously denied their case because of the former statute of limitations until Aug. 14, 2021.
Talk to a Huntington clergy abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to learn more about your legal options. A lawyer can tell you how the Child Victims Act affects you and your case. You do not have to figure this out on your own. Call us today to discuss the details of your case.
Current Victims
Many cases of clergy abuse that have surfaced recently occurred many years ago, but not all of them. Religious organizations worldwide have put measures in place to stop this behavior and provide recourse for victims. Despite that, these acts still happen today across the country. You might want to speak to a lawyer if you believe that your child is the victim of clergy abuse. You can stop the perpetrator from continuing the abuse and affecting other lives.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
You do not need to take on your abuser alone. A Huntington clergy abuse lawyer could guide you through the legal process. You can recover awards for your medical bills, medications, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You and your family have a right to relief.
Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 219-9622. Your initial consultation is free. You will not pay us unless you recover an award. You deserve compensation for the suffering you and your family have endured. Let us help.