Dearborn Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Victims of sexual abuse often experience anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness for years after their assault or molestation. If you’re struggling with the impacts of abuse perpetrated by a clergy member, taking legal action may help you get the closure and support you need to work through your trauma.

The sexual abuse attorneys at White Law PLLC represent victims who want to come forward and hold their abusers responsible for the pain and suffering they’ve caused. A Dearborn clergy sexual abuse lawyer can help you prepare your lawsuit, meet important filing deadlines, and demand that you receive the resources you deserve.

Clergy Sexual Abuse Conviction in Dearborn, MI

In October 2022, a Michigan priest was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. He served at several parishes in the state, including Sacred Heart in Dearborn. Unfortunately, the crime he committed is one of many, as hundreds of assault allegations are brought forth every year. 

If you’re a victim of egregious sexual misconduct, you are not alone. There are hundreds of others who’ve suffered the same injustices as you. In fact, a recent investigation has identified over 800 parishioners who’ve experienced abuse in the Catholic church.  

If you feel that it’s time to take a stand against your abuser, a Dearborn clergy sexual abuse attorney from our firm can help you take legal action. They’ll assess the economic and emotional losses you’ve endured and fight for the compensation you’re owed. 

Compensation You Might Receive With the Help of Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys

While no amount of compensation can turn back time and reverse the pain that you’ve experienced, the money you receive from a lawsuit can help you afford counseling services and pay for any monetary losses related to your assault.

Each abuse case is different. To make sure you receive a fair verdict, our clergy sexual abuser lawyers in Dearborn, MI, can evaluate your unique situation and determine which damages you’re entitled to. If you win your case, you may receive compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Cost of professional counseling
• Pain and suffering
• Mental distress
• Diminished quality of life

At White Law PLLC, our attorneys go above and beyond to help victims of sexual assault get the help they need to recover from their emotional trauma. In addition to fighting for your compensation, our team can also assist you in locating important support services and sexual abuse survivor’s groups. 

Parties That May Be Held Liable for the Abuse You Endured

If possible, a clergy sexual abuse attorney in Dearborn, MI, will hold your abuser liable for the emotional damage and financial loss they inflicted on you. However, if they are financially unable to pay damages or have deceased, there are several other parties you may pursue compensation from, such as:

• The Diocese: Your diocese may be held liable if it failed to remove a known abuser from their position or neglected to turn them in to the police.
• A bishop: Our sexual abuse lawyers may take action against a bishop if they knowingly hired a priest with a past of sexual misconduct and assault.
• A mandated reporter: A mandated sex abuse reporter is a type of social service worker who is tasked with reporting suspected abuse in their communities. If a mandated reporter was aware of your abuse and failed to notify the appropriate authorities, they may be held accountable.
• Church administrators: Sadly, church administrators often cover up clergy sexual abuse and move priests from church to church to help them avoid public backlash and criminal charges. If we find that a church administrator aided your abuser, a clergy sexual abuser attorney from our firm will take action against them. 
• The Vatican: Your attorney may be able to seek damages from the Vatican for failing to reprimand misconduct, assist sexual abuse investigations, and put regulations in place to stop assault and molestation from occurring in the first place.  

A Proposed Bill Could Make It Easier for You to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Claim

Currently, Michigan Legislature § 600.5805 gives victims until their 28th birthday to file a sexual assault lawsuit. Sadly, this statute of limitations has prevented hundreds of legitimate claimants from taking their abusers to court.

Due to the statute’s restrictive nature, legislators have proposed a new bill that would extend the amount of time you have to file a suit. If Michigan’s bill is signed into law, you’ll have until your 48th birthday to submit a lawsuit.

If the statute of limitations barred you from bringing a sexual abuse claim against a priest or member of the clergy, there might be hope for your case. If the filing deadline extension bill is passed, a clergy sexual abuser attorney from our team in Dearborn can help you bring your abuser to justice. 

Your Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Will Offer Compassionate Counsel

Although our attorneys are fierce litigators in the courtroom, they take an empathetic approach to client counsel. They understand how hard it can be to speak about a traumatic experience like sexual abuse. That’s why they’ll always remain compassionate when advising you and listening to your personal testimony.

They’ll never push you to speak about an incident that you feel uncomfortable talking about. When you’re ready to tell your story, they’ll be here to listen to you, offer effective counsel, and advocate on your behalf in a court of law. 

Contact a Sexual Abuse Attorney in Dearborn Today

If you were sexually assaulted or molested by a clergy member in a position of power, you might be experiencing a wide range of negative emotions and mental health issues. At White Law PLLC, we’ve represented countless sexual misconduct victims just like you, so we understand how difficult it can be to recover from abuse. 

Contact our firm today to get the resources, support, and damages you need to recuperate from your abuse. If we agree to take on your case, a Dearborn clergy sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will do everything they can to deliver a favorable verdict.