Saginaw Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer

White Law PLLC is comprised of experienced clergy sexual abuse lawyers in Saginaw, MI who specialize in representing victims of clergy sexual abuse. We know that no amount will undo your harm but we promise to fight to the fullest extent to secure justice and healing through financial compensation. 

The Catholic Church has always held a distinct status inside the legal system. It has remained protected by its own community but avoided the obligation to uphold a duty of care for the people it provides services to. Thankfully, the civil courts are allowing survivors to seek restorative justice against them due to the inconcealable number of abuse allegations.

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse by members of the clergy, our sexual abuse lawyers are here to listen, investigate, and protect your rights. Whenever you are ready to pursue your legal options, our team is available to provide compassionate legal services while on your road to recovery.

How Bringing a Lawsuit Against a Church Works

Employers are responsible for the negligent or careless acts of their employees and the church is no exception. Just because they are a religious group does not mean that they are not liable for the actions of priests or other clergy members. 

Over a 20-year span, several insurance companies have received over 7,000 claims of sexual abuse by church employees, volunteers, or clergy. Private investigations have revealed that settlements were paid out to victims while offenders were simply relocated. 

For those wanting to bring a lawsuit against a clergy member, hiring a clergy sexual abuse lawyer is a critical component of having discreet but rigorous support in obtaining a legal settlement. 

Time Limitation to File a Michigan Clergy Abuse Lawsuit

Due to the conflict of how far back clergy abuse goes, Michigan’s laws expanded the limitations to file a clergy abuse lawsuit. Michigan Compiled Law 600.5851b provides a special statute of limitations for abuse survivors that allows victims to bring a claim forward before their 28th birthday if abuse happened when they were a minor. In other situations, they have three years.

With the help of a Saginaw clergy sexual abuse lawyer, victims that were previously precluded from suing can now receive the opportunity for justice under a customary statute of limitations.

Average Settlement Amounts for Clergy Abuse Survivors

BishopAccountability.org reports that the typical payout for victims of clergy sex abuse is around $268,000. Some survivors, though, have received higher payouts. For instance, the Los Angeles Archdiocese settlement from 2007 paid out about $1.3 million to each victim. 

Comparing that sum to a recent New Jersey settlement, it is far more. In a lawsuit alleging clergy abuse against the Archdiocese of Newark, five plaintiffs together received $400,000 in compensation in 2019.

Settlements in Michigan cases of clergy child sex abuse vary depending on a number of variables, including how long the victim endured abuse and how much was spent on medical care to treat the mental and physical injuries brought on by sexual abuse.

Patterns Discovered in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases

“Grooming” is a common starting point for priest abuse. This strategy is frequently used by child predators to gain the victim’s trust before abusing them. Priests enjoy a high level of confidence from their community as spiritual guides. During the process of grooming, this trust favors predatory priests in a number of ways:

Preying on Potential Victims

As the head of the community, priests form strong bonds with their congregation members. These relationships are abused by predators, who choose vulnerable children as their victims.

Isolation

Priests are frequently entrusted by parents and guardians with the spiritual upbringing of their children. This trust may be used by a predator to isolate a kid victim while seeming to provide spiritual guidance or instruction.

Control

Using their position as “men of God”, victims report abuse of power. Utilizing guilt and control, these predators might compel a victim to prolong the abuse by doing so.

During our initial consultation, survivors will be asked to recount examples of the abuse in efforts to defend you to the fullest extent possible. We will not only assess the details of your claim but will listen to any requests for non-monetary provisions as well. The legal services provided by your Saginaw, MI clergy sexual abuse attorney is meant to provide justice and closure.

Legal Options for Those Abused by a Priest

Survivors of priest abuse can contact White Law PLLC for compassionate and attentive legal support. Our Saginaw clergy sexual abuse lawyers in Michigan are willing to make accommodations to fit your needs as we navigate through this legal process with you. 

No matter when the abuse occurred, you can schedule an appointment to have a free, no-obligation case review where we listen to your experience and provide a full spectrum of legal options that may be available to you.