If you were sexually abused as a child by a priest, deacon or any other member of the Catholic Church, you are not alone. We are here to help you. Please fill out our confidential online contact form or call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 and a California Sexual Abuse Lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your possible case. Help is available nationwide. There is no cost to investigate and there are no legal fees unless you receive financial compensation. Making the call is sometimes the hardest step, but it is often a necessary step on the road to healing. Church Sexual Assault Lawyer California
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Please call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or fill out our confidential contact form and a lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your case. California Church Sexual Assault Lawyer
California Church Sexual Assault Lawyer
In 2004, the diocese for suburban Orange County agreed to settle sexual abuse claims of 87 people made against priests and other employees. The settlement of $100 million was reached after two years of mediation for claims of abuse from the 1930s to the 1980s. Among the accused were 30 priests, two nuns, one religious brother, and 10 lay employees. 20 of the claims were against just two priests, Eleuterio Ramos and Siegfried Widera.
Church Sexual Assault Lawyer California
The claims were filed in response to a 2003 California state law that suspended the statute of limitations for one year for plaintiffs in institutional sexual abuse cases. As a result of the settlement, personal files from 15 of the priests involved in the suit were released. The papers revealed that abusers were shifted into different parishes once allegations were reported to the diocese. This approach has been copied in several states.
California Church Sexual Assault Lawyer
One accused priest was sent to a parish in Tijuana, and another priest was offered $19,000 to quietly leave the priesthood. Another abusive priest was accepted into the diocese from another state, and he was sent to treatment in New Mexico once he was again accused of abuse. The documents also show victims and their families were given little to no consideration as the priests were being protected.
Church Sexual Assault Lawyer California
When the amount of the settlement was announced in 2005, current Bishop Tod Brown of the Diocese of Orange issued an apology to the 87 victims. Two previous bishops of Orange were implicated in the coverup, and Bishop Brown was the first to resolve all of the sexual abuse claims against the diocese. Much of the victims’ anger and frustration was focused upon Auxiliary Bishop Michael P. Driscoll who handled the allegations of sexual abuse reported under Bishops William R. Johnson and Norman F. McFarland.
California Church Sexual Assault Lawyer
Once the documents detailing the diocese’s mishandling of the sexual abuse claims, Bishop Driscoll, who, by 2004 was the Bishop of Boise, issued an apology for his role in the scandal. He admitted that the priests should not have been allowed to remain in the ministry, and he also expressed regret for not informing potential victims of the risk of associating with predatory priests.
Church Sexual Assault Lawyer California
At the time of the settlement, this was the largest settlement to come from sexual abuse cases against the church. It was also the first such settlement in California. Approximately half of the sum was paid by liability insurance, and the diocese reduced costs to enable payment of the settlement without having to close parishes or declare bankruptcy. Currently, all eyes are on Pennsylvania as many experts believe this will be the next state to make changes to its laws.
California Church Sexual Assault Lawyer
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