Livonia Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

In recent years, investigations into sexual misconduct in parishes across Michigan have identified hundreds of sexual assault and molestation cases. If you’re a victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by a priest, bishop, or another member of the clergy, a Livonia clergy sexual abuse lawyer from our firm can represent you in court.

Coming forth with accusations about a subject as personal and traumatic as sexual assault can be extremely difficult, but the team at White Law PLLC is here to make sure you feel comfortable throughout the entirety of your case. Our Livonia sexual abuse lawyers can offer compassionate counsel and work hard to secure a settlement or court award on your behalf.

Sexual Assault Claims Against Clergy Members in Livonia, MI

Sadly, Livonia is not immune to the misconduct and abuse that affected countless parishioners in Michigan. In recent years, allegations were brought up against a priest who served in a parish in Livonia. The priest, who served in churches throughout the state, was accused of sexually abusing a minor. 

Although he died in 2004, church officials have made it clear that they don’t put a time limit on accusations of sexual misconduct. No matter how long ago the abuse occurred, reporting it can help you and others get counseling and support services. 

If a clergy member sexually assaulted you, a Livonia clergy sexual abuse attorney can help you pursue a claim regardless of whether your abuser is living or deceased. Even if the perpetrator has passed away or cannot pay damages, your attorney may identify another guilty party who can be held liable for your pain and emotional suffering.

Parties that Can Be Held Liable in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

In any given sexual misconduct case, a number of parties can be held responsible for the victim’s economic losses and emotional trauma. Depending on the specifics of your case, a clergy sexual abuse lawyer in Livonia, MI, may take action against the following parties:

Priest

The priest or clergy member who assaulted you will likely be the primary target of your lawsuit. If they’re alive and able to pay damages, whether it’s through wage garnishment or their personal savings, your attorney can take them to court.

Church Administrator

You’ve probably heard about priests being moved from one parish to another after being accused of sexual abuse. However, you might not have heard about the church administrators being held responsible for shuffling predatory clergy members and covering up their crimes.

If an administrative official at your church had a hand in covering up your abuse or helping your abuser avoid public scrutiny, they may be held liable for damages. Our clergy sexual abuse attorneys can investigate the situation and determine if an administrator is at fault.

The Diocese

Similarly to filing a lawsuit against an administrator who covered up an instance of abuse, your diocese can be held responsible for enabling a sexual predator or pedophile. If your diocese failed to remove a known abuser from a position of power and report them to the appropriate authority, your lawyer can file a suit against it.

Mandated Abuse Reporter

Mandated abuse reporters are social service workers or other types of professionals who are also tasked with the responsibility of reporting abuse. If a mandated reporter was aware of your assault and neglected to report it, a clergy sexual abuse attorney from our firm in Livonia may take legal action against them.

How Much Your Sexual Abuse Case Is Worth

While a settlement can’t make up for the pain and trauma you’ve experienced due to your abuse, our sexual abuse lawyers in Livonia can obtain damages to cover the cost of counseling and other forms of sexual assault victim support. If your lawsuit is successful, you may receive compensation for:

• Medical bills: If you contracted a sexually transmitted infection from the abuse you experienced, you might have received medical treatment and prescription medication. These damages can cover the cost of any medical bills related to your sexual assault.
• Cost of counseling: Counseling can be a massive help to sexual abuse survivors suffering from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders. These damages can pay for your counseling sessions if you’ve sought treatment for mental health issues.
• Pain and suffering: Sexual abuse can lead to chronic pain that may affect the victim for years. If you’re dealing with physical pain and suffering due to your abuse, a sexual abuse attorney in Livonia, MI, can pursue these damages.
• Emotional distress: Abuse can take a significant emotional toll on a survivor’s mental health and emotional well-being. These damages can help you cope with the negative health effects you’ve endured. 
• Reduced quality of life: Sadly, many abuse victims are left unable to enjoy their lives to the fullest. If your quality of life has suffered in the months or years following your abuse, an attorney from our team in Livonia can request these damages.

Filing Deadline for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Livonia, MI

If you’re considering pursuing a lawsuit against a priest or clergy member for sexual assault or childhood molestation, you’ll have until your 28th birthday to file a lawsuit. While there are also laws that allow individuals who discover their abuse later in life to take action after turning 28, the current statute of limitations is still very restrictive.

Fortunately, a new bill has been introduced by Michigan House Democrats that could give survivors like yourself more time to submit a suit. If the bill passes and becomes a law, you would have until your 48th birthday to file. If you discovered your abuse later in life, you would have seven years from discovery to submit a lawsuit. 

Whether you’re eligible to file a suit under the current statute of limitations or if you’re waiting for the new law to pass, our clergy sexual abuse lawyers located in Livonia can help you make sure your claim is filed before the state-imposed deadline.

Our Sexual Assault Attorneys Are Here for You

If you’re dealing with lasting trauma and chronic pain from clergy sexual abuse, you might be unsure about how to get the support you need to get better. The attorneys at White Law PLLC understand the struggles you must be experiencing on a daily basis. Our team is committed to helping victims like yourself get access to compensation and other forms of support.

Contact our firm today to see if we can help you file a lawsuit against your abuser. We’ll offer you a free consultation to see if you’re eligible to take action. If a Livonia clergy sexual abuse lawyer from our team agrees to take on your case, they’ll work tirelessly to hold your abuser liable for your pain, mental distress, and other losses.