Westland Clergy Sex Abuse Lawyer

The issue of clergy sex abuse is a painful reality that has affected many communities across the country. If you or a loved one has been a victim of such abuse, you may be wondering what legal options are available to you.

 A Westland sex abuse lawyer with our firm can help you understand the steps you can take to hold your abuser accountable and recover compensation for the losses associated with this traumatic experience.

White Law PLLC has worked with hundreds of survivors of church sex abuse and we have seen the impact it can have. Our firm is proud to provide guidance and support throughout the legal process and help you to secure justice and compensation for your losses and pain.

Sex Abuse by Clergy Happens in Many Different Religious Institutions

Child sexual abuse affects all kinds of institutions and religious organizations are no exception. In 2002, Church officials commissioned the John Jay Report to uncover the scope of the issue following initial reports of molestation and exploitation.

The results were staggering: over 11,000 allegations were made against more than 4,000 individual priests, though it is likely that there are still thousands of unreported cases.

What’s worse is that the tragedy has reached almost every kind of organization within the sector; not just Catholic churches but many other denominations have also been found to harbor abusive clergy members who used their positions to prey upon children. 

Many such religious leaders have been accused of sexual abuse of minors:

• Orthodox Judaism / Yeshivas
• The Boy Scouts
• Episcopalian Churches
• Protestants
• Lutheran Church
• Southern Baptist Church
• The Catholic Church and Diocese
• Mormons / The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The Church of Scientology
• Anglican Church

If you were sexually abused by a clergy member or religious leader of any institution, you can take legal action. Speaking out against your abuser can help you to begin healing and send the message that these acts won’t be tolerated. A clergy sex abuse lawyer in Westland can help you take a stand.

Who Can File a Civil Lawsuit Against a Church for Sex Abuse?

Survivors of both child and adult sexual abuse, in addition to those who were abused as minors, may be able to file a civil claim against the abuser or any other person or entity legally liable for the damage. 

White Law PLLC provides survivors of sexual abuse and assault with the tools they need to take legal action. Our team understands how difficult it can be for victims to seek justice and is dedicated to providing a safe and confidential environment where they can evaluate their legal options. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim Against a Clergy Member in Michigan?

It’s a common misperception that if someone was mistreated as a child a long time ago, they can’t do anything about it today.

We advise speaking with one of our Holt clergy sexual abuse lawyers because of the complexity and flexibility of these statutes. If it’s been more than three years since the abuse occurred or you’re above the age of 28, we may still be able to help.

In Michigan, a victim of clergy sexual abuse has three years from the date of injury or until they become 28 to file a claim for damages. Clergy sexual misconduct allegations in Michigan are subject to the time limits outlined in section 600.5851b of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

Is It Possible to Sue a Deceased Priest?

If the priest is no longer alive, the action can be filed against his estate. Victims of sexual abuse by priests can initiate civil lawsuits against the Catholic diocese or church where the abuse occurred to hold the church and its officials accountable.

Such institutions may have documentation of what happened and why they allowed it to happen even if the offender is no longer alive.

Clergy sexual abuse victims are strongly advised to retain competent legal representation with substantial expertise in these types of lawsuits in order to obtain compensatory damages for their suffering.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?

A Westland clergy sex abuse attorney can help victims recover from the immense pain and suffering of sexual abuse through a number of compensation possibilities. Damages include losses that have been incurred as a result of the abuse, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Present and future therapy expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages due to missed work due to healing or emotional trauma
• Non-economic damages for things like mental anguish due to the assault

Economic losses don’t begin to cover the full scope of losses associated with sexual abuse cases. However, victims may seek compensation for non-economic damages, including mental anguish from the assault.

The legal system recognizes this type of ongoing emotional distress that can be caused by clergy sexual assault, setting precedence to allow larger awards for non-economic damages. A Westland clergy sex abuse case lawyer with our firm will fight vigorously to maximize your settlement so you move forward with your life with as much financial stability as possible.

Contact a Clergy Sex Abuse Law Firm in Westland Today for a Confidential, Free Consultation

White Law PLLC is a trusted resource for clergy sex abuse survivors seeking justice in Michigan. We have decades of combined experience in taking on complicated and sensitive cases requiring the utmost care and legal expertise.

We firmly believe that survivors must be heard, respected, and treated with dignity. This is something we strive to provide to each client every single day.

We invite individuals looking for professional assistance from respected attorneys to contact us today; we provide free consultations where we evaluate your case closely with sensitivity and respect. Our lawyers will fight for justice so you can feel empowered once again.