Am I Eligible to File a Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

You are eligible to file a Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuit if someone under their employ abused you or if you were abused by a person associated with the church. This includes priests, nuns, teachers, youth leaders, and even support staff such as custodians. 

It is heartbreaking and confusing when the people you trusted the most hurt you so badly. The Church had an obligation to protect you, and they failed. Then, instead of punishing your abusers, they may have tried to hide what happened, hoping your story will never be told. 

That is unacceptable. Our Atlanta Catholic Church sexual abuse lawyers are ready to hold your abusers and the Catholic Church accountable for the hardships you have suffered. Contact us today for a free consultation and tell us what happened. 

How Can an Attorney Help Me?

When their actions come to light, your abusers should face criminal charges. In addition to what they did to you, they may have hurt others as well. They need to pay the price for their actions in criminal court. 

The state prosecutes criminal charges, and defendants can face prison time and potential fines. However, you can also pursue a personal civil lawsuit as well. Your civil case will focus on recovering financial compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

A large jury award not only helps you get the financial help you need to move forward with your life. It may also be what it takes to get the Church’s attention and force change. While every case is different, some of the ways your attorney can help include:

Investigating Your Allegations

We believe you, and we will stand up for your rights. Our attorneys can investigate your story to uncover evidence of what they did to you. This may include medical records, witness statements, or expert testimony. 

Assessing Your Damages

We can calculate your damage and determine the maximum compensation you are owed for your suffering. We will use this number as a baseline in our lawsuit and any resulting negotiations. 

Representing You in Court

It takes courage to stand up and face your oppressors, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’ll be there with you every step of the way. In front of the judge and jury, we fight to expose what the Church did to you.

Handling Negotiations

The Catholic Church may not be eager to go to trial and instead may attempt to negotiate a settlement. If that is acceptable to you, we will negotiate on your behalf to get the money you need to begin the healing process.

What Damages Can I Recover for a Catholic Church Sex Abuse Case?

Each case is unique for everyone eligible to file a Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuit. You may be able to recover economic damages related to your abuse, such as:

• The cost of medical care
• The cost of medications
• Lost wages if you missed time from work
• Future medical care needs

However, with sexual abuse cases, the majority of the damage often comes in the form of mental, social, and emotional issues. Your attorney may be able to recover compensation for things like:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Your attorney can help you understand which damages you can recover in your specific case.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer?

Most personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee basis. That means we’ll take our fees out of your final award. You don’t pay anything until we win. Doing business like this ensures our services are available to everyone who needs us.

The Catholic Church will respond to any allegations against them with a team of powerful lawyers. You deserve to have the same, regardless of your financial situation. 

What is the Statute of Limitations for Catholic Church Sex Abuse Cases in Georgia?

It takes courage, but it is important to pursue legal action as soon as possible. Doing so preserves your rights and gives you the chance you deserve to hold your abusers liable for their actions. 

For victims who were abused as adults, the statute of limitation for filing civil actions against the Catholic Church in Georgia is two years from the date of the abuse. This is the same statute of limitations for all personal injury cases.

For childhood victims of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church, the statute of limitations extends until their 23rd birthday. However, for abuse that occurred on or after July 1, 2015, victims may have an additional two years if they discover previously unknown damages caused by abuse. 

Fight Back Against Catholic Church Sexual Abuse

You are eligible to file a Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuit if you were abused by anyone employed by or associated with the Church. Many people feel conflicting emotions such as anger, shame, and guilt when trusted religious leaders have abused them.

That’s natural, and you may have a long way to go until you come to grips with what happened. But the fact that you are considering legal action against your oppressors shows how strong you are. We are here to fight alongside you and hold the people who hurt you accountable.

At John Foy & Associates, we have recovered over $1 billion in awards and settlements for our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.