On May 8, 2023, the Oakland Diocese filed for bankruptcy after being listed as a defendant in more than 330 clergy sex abuse cases.
The Catholic Church has been facing increasing sex abuse litigations since it was discovered that they have been covering up child sexual abuse.
Since laws like California Assembly Bill 218 are extending the deadline for pressing charges against responsible parties, the number of sex abuse lawsuits against the catholic clergy has greatly increased.
Sexual abuse, especially as a child, causes trauma that lasts a person their entire life. If you or your child was sexually molested, you could file a catholic clergy sex abuse lawsuit to seek justice and get compensation for your damages.
Read on to find out how to pursue legal action and how a personal injury lawyer can help.
History of Sexual Assault in the Catholic Church
Several dioceses in the United States and beyond deal with an influx of clergy sex abuse lawsuits.
For many years, the Catholic Church has had to cope with controversies involving the sexual assault of minors by clergy.
The first time this matter got publicity in the US was in 1985 when a clergyman in Louisiana pleaded guilty to eleven charges of child molestation.
The scandal became much worse when a 2002 inquiry by The Boston Globe was depicted in the 2015 movie Spotlight. The film exposed the scope of the assault and how the Catholic Church covered it up.
The investigation caused a global spotlight on the issue of clergy sex abuse, which sparked several follow-up inquiries in other countries beyond the US.
These inquiries confirmed not only children’s sexual assault by clergy but also the measures. Catholic dioceses took to mask the crimes rather than taking the necessary steps to bring the offenders to book.
The Catholic Church Failed to Address Sexual Abuse Committed by Clergy
Inquiries across the US uncovered numerous sexual assault cases in Catholic churches that date back decades and have occurred in virtually every state.
Many survivors have come forward as adults to talk about their experiences. But this problem is not limited to a certain place or period; it is a chronic global issue.
The Catholic Church has known about it for years yet did nothing until its misconduct was exposed.
Inquiries show that numerous Catholic dioceses cover up clergy sex abuse cases by transferring accused priests to new parishes when they are made aware of the crimes.
These priests are often returned to positions that allow them to repeat their atrocious acts. Sometimes, clergy members who were known to sexually abuse minors are transferred to various other parishes.
Catholic Dioceses File for Bankruptcy Following Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
By the end of 2012, the dioceses in these sex abuse scandals paid more than $3 billion in settlement money to abuse victims.
Even today, Catholic dioceses like the Oakland Diocese are handling legal battles and contemplating how much compensation to offer survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
Several of these dioceses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the countless clergy sex abuse lawsuits they face.
Filing for bankruptcy allows a company or institution to reorganize its debts and commitments to repay them while maintaining its operations effectively.
The Oakland Diocese files for bankruptcy in response to clergy sex abuse lawsuits
Considering the overwhelming number of clergy sex abuse lawsuits, the Diocese of Oakland may end up paying millions in settlement to victims of sexual abuse.
The passage of California Assembly Bill 218 waived the statute of limitations on legal litigation against organizations allegedly facilitating sexual abuse, putting the Oakland Diocese under this extreme strain.
But given the high worth of several assets the Church owns, including its real estate, some people think that their filing for bankruptcy is a fraudulent act.
Several Californian dioceses, including the Oakland and Santa Rosa Catholic Dioceses, have filed for bankruptcy. The San Diego and Sacramento Dioceses will likely follow the lead.
The Diocese of Oakland has 84 parishes serving almost 550,000 members in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
The bankruptcy filing, however, does not include the Oakland Diocese’s Catholic Schools since they are deemed distinct legal entities.
Damages in Catholic Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuits
The trauma experienced by victims of Clergy sexual abuse may affect nearly all aspects of their life and continue through adulthood.
Such actions cause considerable pain and tangible damages for which individuals can seek compensation by filing clergy sex abuse lawsuits against a responsible organization.
Some of the damages you can collect in a sexual abuse lawsuit are:
- Medical bills such as medication and therapy costs
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Relocation expenses
Get Legal Help with Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuits!
If you or your loved one is a victim of sexual abuse from Catholic clergy, you can take legal action against the responsible institution.
However, you should realize that the Catholic Church is a large institution with resources and the best lawyers to defend them. You must therefore hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you and fight for your rights.
Legal Giant is a lawyer referral service you can rely on to get the best lawyer for your case. We partner only with experienced lawyers with a track record of success in prior cases.
Our partner attorneys are familiar with sexual abuse laws and lawsuits, hence best suited to represent you in your clergy sex abuse lawsuit.
Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
