Sexual abuse at religious institutions has been a serious issue for decades. It occurs at established religious institutions. And it occurs at cults masquerading as religious institutions, such as those that prey on young people at colleges or universities.
Survivors of abuse deserve compensation. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get, especially if you attempt to handle it on your own. Our associated attorneys at Lake Legal can seek justice on your behalf. Call us today to get started.
You survived a terrible crime. You shouldn’t be left paying the costs, especially those that come with fighting for the justice you deserve.
Our associated attorneys handle religious sexual abuse cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you don’t pay a single cent to get started. You don’t pay a retainer or hourly fees. You only pay your attorney if they recover compensation in your case.
You face no financial risk when you enlist the help of a sexual abuse attorney.
We know that no amount of money will change what happened to you. However, a claim or lawsuit can hold your abuser and any parties who allowed the abuse liable. It can also possibly protect others from suffering abuse from the same person or institution.
The compensation you recover can also allow you to get the care you need. You can pay for therapy and also cover lost wages if your abuse leaves you unable to work.
A lawyer will fight for every dollar you need. This could include any of the following:
Once a lawyer has investigated your case, they can help you determine what damages to seek as you hold the defendant accountable.
There have been dozens of settlements between religious institutions and sexual abuse survivors, including:
You took the most important step by getting help. An attorney can handle the rest. A sexual abuse lawyer will:
In some states, you can hold both the abuser and the entity that allowed the abuse to occur liable. An attorney will investigate your situation and identify all potentially liable parties.
Your attorney will protect you from your abuser and the institution that allowed your abuse to occur. They will handle all communication with them, ensuring that they do not reach out to you.
A lawyer will determine every expense and loss your abuse cost you. If you decide to handle this on your own, you risk missing recoverable damages.
Holding a religious institution accountable can be difficult. Our associated attorneys know how to build a case that allows you to hold the institution that allowed your abuse accountable.
We know that coming forward about your abuse is likely one of the most difficult things you have ever done. Our associated lawyers will do everything in their power to support you during this time.
Getting the justice you deserve is the most important part of an attorney’s job.
All personal injury cases have statutes of limitations. A statute of limitations is a deadline for when a person needs to file a lawsuit. How long you have to file a sexual abuse lawsuit depends on the state you live in. To give abuse survivors the time they need to come forward, some states have eliminated statutes of limitations on child sexual abuse, while others have lengthened their statutes of limitations or created “lookback” periods for survivors who suffered abuse decades ago. A lookback period is a short period of time where survivors can file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has already expired in their case.
A lawyer can help you establish how long you have to take action. We recommend that you contact our team as soon as you feel comfortable to protect your rights—even if it has been decades since your abuse occurred.
Who you can hold liable depends on several factors:
Some state laws allow you to hold both your abuser and the organization they worked for liable. This could include the specific church, temple, or other entity or an entire diocese or other group.
Investigations into sexual abuse at religious institutions have shown that cover-ups are rampant in these circles.
Religious institutions were often aware of abuse that was occurring, and instead of protecting the children who trusted them, they either ignored the accusations or transferred the abuser to a different location. This allowed the abuse to continue and gave the abuser a new group of victims. It also prevented families from receiving the justice they deserved. If an attorney can prove that a religious leader knew about your abuse and did nothing to stop it, the leader or institution may be liable.
An attorney may be able to help you hold any of the following liable:
It can be very frustrating attempting to hold an abuser liable, especially because it often takes decades to gain the courage to come forward. In many of these cases, abusers have died. However, that does not mean you cannot seek justice. Once one of our associated attorneys at Lake Legal have heard your story and investigated, they will have a better idea of who might be liable.
You deserve justice. We want to help you get it. See how a lawyer can help you fight during a free consultation. Remember that you don’t pay anything upfront to get started.
Call Lake Legal today for a free consultation.
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