When you attend church, you trust that the clergy respects you and is there to enhance your experience. But with the rise of clergy sex abuse in Michigan and several other states, you need a strong and passionate law firm ready to hold the negligent parties accountable.
If you are a survivor of clergy abuse, our team of lawyers can help you.
Our lead attorney, Jamie White, has proudly and successfully represented victims in nationally recognized sexual abuse cases, including representing hundreds of Boy Scouts of America victims and clergy sex abuse victims. At White Law PLLC, we care about your story and are ready to listen.
If you qualify for a clergy sex abuse case, your Michigan sexual abuse lawyer can begin pursuing justice and compensation from the negligent clergy members and church. A Michigan clergy sex abuse lawyer from our team can help you file your personal injury claim and start your case today.
Why White Law PLLC Is the Right Choice For Your Case
We will conduct a full investigation into your case in order to secure the compensation you are entitled to. After experiencing something as traumatic as sexual abuse, turn to a compassionate Michigan personal injury lawyer who believes in securing justice for clients. White Law PLLC will stand by your side.
Clergy members are supposed to be trusted individuals in the community, which is why sexual abuse committed by the clergy is so abhorrent. At White Law PLLC, our compassionate and experienced team understands that sexual abuse victims deserve compensation and closure for what happened to them. We are here to help when you need a clergy sex abuse attorney in Michigan, and the benefits of working with our legal team include:
- Our firm is nationally recognized for our work helping sexual abuse survivors, and we have more than six decades of combined legal experience handling these sensitive matters.
- You will work directly with your Michigan clergy sex abuse attorney throughout the entirety of your case. We get to know you personally so we can tailor our case strategy to meet your needs.
- We take Michigan clergy sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis per Michigan Court Rule 8.121, which means you will pay no legal fees until we secure the compensation and justice you deserve.
How an Attorney Will Benefit You in Your Sexual Abuse Case
It can be incredibly difficult for survivors of clergy sexual abuse to come forward, particularly if the abuse took place when a person was a minor. Victims may be reluctant to come forward or fear that they will not be believed. Your clergy sexual abuse lawyer in Michigan is going to stand by your side throughout this entire process. We will understand the laws related to these civil claims and work to ensure you are cared for by trusted medical and healthcare professionals.
If you or someone you know
endured clergy sex abuse,
contact White Law PLLC today.
Defining Clergy Sexual Abuse
People often confuse the terms sexual assault and sexual abuse. Sexual assault is sexual contact or behavior without someone’s consent, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). In contrast, sexual abuse is when someone does sexual acts to someone without their consent to gain superiority or power over them, according to the Michigan Department of Education.
The term sexual abuse is also used when the person being abused is a child or vulnerable. So, clergy sexual abuse is when a clergy member suggests or performs sexual acts without consent to hold or gain power over someone. Common examples of clergy sexual abuse include:
- Sexual assault
- Showing pornographic images or videos
- Asking inappropriate sexual questions
- Unwanted touching, such as hugging
- Making sexual jokes
- Exposure of the genitals
Clergy Sexual Abuse In Michigan
Over the last few decades, it has become apparent that clergy of various denominations and faiths have been the perpetrators of sexual abuse. In most cases, clergy sexual abuse cases revolve around acts committed on children under the age of 18. In June 2018, the Public Acts 180 and 181 were passed by the Michigan legislature under Senate Bill 871.
These laws extended the amount of time that individuals who were sexually abused before they turned 18 had to file civil and criminal charges against their abusers. The time limit was extended from 10 years to 15 years, or before the victim turns 28, whichever date comes first. With help from a powerful legal advocate, you can fight for the justice you deserve.
If you were a child when the abuse occurred or are not sure if you have a valid case, your clergy sexual abuse attorney in Michigan is here to reassure you. We can give you a free case review, where we will determine if you qualify for a case. Then, we will be by your side every step of the way to ensure you are awarded the fair compensation you are entitled to.
How Michigan Handling Clergy Sexual Abuse
Michigan has been actively investigating clergy sex abuse for several years and made its first clergy abuse conviction in 2019, as described by the Michigan Department of Attorney General. In addition, the Attorney General, Dana Nessel, has been exceptionally active in speaking about the issue and demanding justice for survivors of clergy sex abuse. According to a statewide clergy abuse investigation report, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office’s Clergy Abuse Investigative Team has uncovered a total of 454 priests accused of sex abuse, 811 survivors, and 11 clergy members who were charged.
In addition, the investigative team has found that Grand Rapids has the highest number of accused clergy members and survivors, with 105 priests and 207 survivors. As a compassionate Michigan clergy sex abuse law firm, we are proud to be helping Michigan further tackle the clergy sex abuse that has been going on for too long and has caused immense pain to the community. Let us help you demand justice for your suffering.
You can contact our clergy sex abuse
lawyers today and rest easier with
experienced attorneys tackling your case.
How Much Time You Have to File a Clergy Sex Abuse Claim in Michigan
Our team wants you to obtain the compensation you qualify for, and the first step to doing so is to file a clergy sexual abuse claim against the liable parties. Michigan’s statute of limitations gives you three years to file a claim from the day the abuse occurred under MCL §600.5805. However, if you suffered clergy sexual abuse when you were a child or minor, according to Michigan Compiled Law §600.5851b in Michigan’s Sexual Assault Benchbook, you can file your claim anytime before your 28th birthday.
It is important to note that many states are beginning to change legislation to open up the statute of limitations. We believe that this will be the case for Michigan as well, so please contact our law firm, even if it has been over three years since the abuse occurred or you are older than 28. Our legal team may still be able to help you with your claim.
Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuits Require Compelling Supporting Evidence
We encourage you to file your clergy sexual abuse claim as soon as possible to make the legal process easier and to allow us to begin compiling evidence to build a strong case. We will inform you of any evidence we need and whether it’s time-sensitive. Our Michigan clergy sex abuse law firm can help you file your claim on time so you receive the correct compensation amount. When we file your claim, we will gather valuable evidence to support your claim, such as:
- Clergy member’s DNA if the abuse occurred recently
- Medical records
- Therapist notes
- Church records, if accessible
- Photos of your injuries
- Security camera footage of nearby businesses
Compensation You Can Recover as a Survivor of Clergy Sex Abuse
After a clergy member has sexually abused you or a loved one, we understand that your losses are greater than any dollar amount. We know that no amount of money can make up for your pain, but it can help you afford the resources you need to heal. A Michigan clergy sexual abuse attorney from our law firm can help you recover damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses for psychological counseling, physical therapy, surgeries, medications, and medical equipment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress and trauma
You Could Also Recover Punitive Damages in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case
Punitive damages are meant to punish the negligent party and discourage them from repeating the actions by making them pay additional damages per MCL §445.911. A case is eligible for punitive damages when an attorney can prove the defendant intentionally hurt someone. Unfortunately, in the context of clergy sexual abuse, most, if not all, sexual abuse is intentional.
Your case may be eligible for punitive damages if your case goes to court. Churches and clergy members certainly have the money to pay for punitive damages, but it can be difficult to get them to pay.
But your Michigan clergy sex abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC is not afraid of a challenge. We are ready to do everything we can to get you the compensation you deserve for your pain.
How to Recover the Fair Compensation You Deserve
While law enforcement officials will determine whether criminal charges should be filed, you can take justice into your own hands by pursuing a legal claim against your abuser and others who facilitated the abuse you or your child endured. In some cases, this may mean filing a lawsuit directly against clergy members or the church. However, this is not the only way in which you may be able to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
It may surprise you to learn that the church may have purchased church molestation insurance. According to Captive Review, this type of insurance coverage is designed to provide compensation to victims of sexual abuse in church facilities. While filing a claim with the insurance company may allow you to receive compensation for a portion of your losses, it is unlikely this settlement will provide enough compensation to meet your needs.
The insurance company will only need to pay out up to the policy limits. If the church only purchased the minimum amount of coverage offered, this may not be enough to cover the total value of your losses. When this happens, going on a trial may be your next best option.
Helpful Resources for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Assault
We understand that after you have suffered sexual abuse, you may not want to talk about it immediately. After all, you do not want to risk bringing back unwanted trauma. For this reason, our legal team has compiled a list of helpful resources to inform you of your rights and support you:
- Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan
- Sexual Assault & Abuse
- Report Abuse | Protect | Archdiocese of Detroit
- Resources for Survivors
- Report Abuse – Diocese of Grand Rapids
If you have any questions about clergy sexual abuse or the legal process, we are ready to answer them. Choose our law office for dedicated legal representation against the clergy. If you were sexually abused by a clergy member you trusted, it may be time for our White Law PLLC to step in to pursue compensation.
Contact a Michigan Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or somebody you love has been the victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by a member of the clergy, seek legal assistance from White Law PLLC today. We are going to conduct a full investigation into your claim in order to secure the compensation and closure you deserve. Our team has 100+ years of combined experience advocating for the rights of clergy sex abuse survivors, and we are ready to put our skills to work for you.
When you need a Michigan clergy sexual abuse attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by completing our online contact form or calling our office. There is no time to wait. Our nationally recognized sexual abuse team is not going to rest until we ensure you will be okay.
You have the right to reach out to
a clergy sex abuse attorney and
discuss your right to legal action.
