For decades, many religious institutions operated under a veil of secrecy, allowing abuse to happen and protecting the powerful instead of the innocent. For survivors, the pain of this betrayal can be profound, leaving deep emotional and spiritual wounds. If you are a survivor of abuse by a priest, pastor, rabbi, youth leader, or any other figure within a religious organization, please know that you have a voice, you have rights, and there is a path toward holding those responsible accountable.
The dedicated Church & Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Horowitz Law are committed to fighting for you. We focus exclusively on helping survivors across the nation seek justice through the civil court system.
Your courage in seeking information is the first step toward reclaiming your power. We understand that this is a difficult journey, and we are here to provide the compassionate and determined legal support you deserve.
Why Choose Horowitz Law for Your Church & Clergy Sexual Abuse Case
At Horowitz Law, we believe survivors. Our entire practice is built around this principle, and our work is dedicated to achieving justice for individuals who have endured sexual abuse. We have decades of combined experience confronting large, powerful institutions and holding them accountable for the harm they caused or enabled.
Our attorneys understand the unique sensitivities and complexities of cases involving religious organizations and are prepared to stand with you every step of the way.
We are proud to offer our clients a system of support that extends beyond the courtroom. When you work with our firm, you gain:
- A Focused Legal Team: Our practice is devoted to sexual abuse litigation, giving us an in-depth understanding of the legal arguments and strategies essential to these cases.
- Comprehensive Resources: We connect our clients with a network of resources, including counseling services, mental health professionals, and forensic experts who can support your case and your healing process.
- Proven Results: Our history of success includes securing one of the largest-ever jury verdicts for a single survivor of sexual assault, a testament to our relentless pursuit of justice.
- Unwavering Support: You will have regular access to our legal team and will be treated with the dignity, respect, and compassion you deserve.
Choosing a legal team is a significant decision. We are committed to earning your trust by providing clear communication, strong advocacy, and a supportive environment where your well-being is always the priority.
Handling Claims Involving Many Roman Catholic Dioceses
The lawyers at Horowitz Law are currently handling sexual abuse cases involving priests and other clergy in the following Roman Catholic dioceses:
Arkansas
California
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
- Diocese of Fresno
- Diocese of Monterey
- Diocese of Oakland
- Diocese of Orange
- Diocese of Sacramento
- Diocese of San Bernardino
- Diocese of San Diego
- Diocese of San Jose
- Diocese of Santa Rosa
- Archdiocese of Miami
- Diocese of St. Augustine
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
- Diocese of Orlando
- Diocese of Palm Beach
- Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
- Diocese of Venice
Louisiana
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Diocese of Alexandria
- Diocese of Baton Rouge
- Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
- Diocese of Lafayette
- Diocese of Lake Charles
- Diocese of Shreveport
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
- Archdiocese of New York
- Diocese of Albany
- Diocese of Brooklyn
- Diocese of Buffalo
- Diocese of Ogdensburg
Pennsylvania
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Diocese of Allentown
- Diocese of Erie
- Diocese of Greensburg
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Diocese of Scranton
Vermont
Washington, D.C.
Holding Religious Institutions Accountable for Abuse
For a long time, many people believed that only the individual perpetrator could be held responsible for an act of abuse. However, the law recognizes that the institutions employing and supervising these individuals also have a duty to protect people from harm. When a church or religious organization fails in that duty, it can be held legally liable in a civil lawsuit. This is known as institutional liability.
Accountability often focuses on the systemic failures and cover-ups that allowed the abuse to continue.
This can include a pattern of:
- Ignoring or dismissing complaints from survivors or their families.
- Failing to report known or suspected abuse to the police as required by law.
- Quietly transferring an abusive clergy member from one parish or community to another, giving them access to more potential targets.
- Prioritizing the institution's reputation over the safety and well-being of its members, especially children.
These actions demonstrate a conscious disregard for safety and contribute directly to the harm survivors experience. A civil lawsuit seeks to expose these failures and demand justice not just from the abuser, but from the entire system that protected them.
Your Path to Justice: The Civil Lawsuit Process
Understanding your legal options is an empowering step. A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal charges. While a criminal case is brought by the government to punish a crime, a civil lawsuit is a legal action you, the survivor, can file to seek financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. This process allows you to tell your story and demand accountability on your own terms.
The journey of a civil case generally follows a structured path, and our team will be there to guide you through each phase.
- Free and Confidential Consultation: The process begins with a conversation. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and we can explain your legal rights and options. This initial meeting is always free and completely confidential.
- Thorough Investigation: If you decide to move forward, our team will conduct a deep investigation into the facts of your case. We gather evidence, such as internal church documents, witness statements, and personnel files, to build the strongest possible case.
- Filing the Lawsuit: We will formally file a complaint in court. This document outlines the allegations against the abuser and the responsible religious institution, officially beginning the legal proceedings.
- The Discovery Phase: This is the formal process where both sides exchange information. It may involve written questions, requests for documents, and depositions (out-of-court testimony given under oath). We handle all aspects of this phase to protect you.
- Resolution Through Settlement or Trial: Many cases are resolved through a settlement, which is a negotiated agreement to avoid a trial. However, if the institution is unwilling to offer a fair resolution, we are fully prepared to take your case before a jury to demand justice.
Our goal is to make this process as clear and manageable for you as possible, ensuring you feel informed and supported from start to finish.
Understanding Statutes of Limitations for Clergy Abuse Across the U.S.
One of the first and most common questions survivors have is, "Is it too late for me to take action?" This concern relates to a legal concept called the statute of limitations, which is a law that sets a specific time limit for filing a lawsuit. For survivors of childhood sexual abuse, these laws are particularly complex because it can take years, or even decades, to process the trauma and feel ready to come forward.
Fortunately, there has been a nationwide movement to reform these laws to give survivors a better opportunity to seek justice. However, the rules are different in every single state, making it a complicated legal landscape. An attorney experienced in handling these cases across the country can help determine the specific deadlines that apply to you.
Key factors that can influence your ability to file a lawsuit include:
- State-by-State Variation: Every state has its own distinct laws governing the time limits for civil sexual abuse claims. As advocacy groups like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) track, these deadlines can vary dramatically from one state to another. A law in California will not be the same as a law in Texas or New York.
- The "Delayed Discovery" Rule: Many states recognize that the true harm of abuse is often not fully understood until much later in a survivor's life. The delayed discovery rule allows the statute of limitations "clock" to start ticking from the moment the survivor reasonably discovers the connection between their past abuse and their current-day injuries (such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD), rather than when the abuse occurred.
- Legislative "Lookback Windows": In recent years, numerous state legislatures have created special "lookback windows" (also called revival windows). These are temporary periods of time that lift the statute of limitations, allowing survivors to file lawsuits for older claims that were previously blocked by the deadline.
Because these laws are so varied and are constantly being updated and interpreted by the courts, you should not assume it is too late to seek justice. The only way to know for certain where you stand is to discuss the specifics of your situation with an experienced attorney who can evaluate the laws in the relevant state and advise you on your options.
The Types of Compensation You Can Pursue
While no amount of money can ever undo the harm you have experienced, a civil lawsuit can secure financial resources to help you on your healing journey. This compensation, legally referred to as "damages," is intended to address the various ways the abuse has impacted your life. It is also a powerful way the court system acknowledges the wrong that was done to you.
In a lawsuit against a religious institution, a survivor may be able to pursue several types of damages.
- Economic Damages: These are meant to cover the specific financial costs related to the abuse. Examples include the cost of therapy, counseling, medical bills, prescription medications, and lost wages if the trauma has affected your ability to work.
- Non-Economic Damages: This is compensation for the profound, intangible suffering you have endured. It includes damages for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and the damage to your ability to form trusting relationships.
- Punitive Damages: In some cases where an institution's conduct was particularly reckless or malicious—such as actively covering up abuse for years—a court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate the survivor but to punish the institution and send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Securing this compensation can provide the financial stability needed to access therapy, education, and other resources essential for moving forward.
We Represent Survivors of Abuse in Various Religious Organizations
Sexual abuse is not a problem confined to any single denomination or faith. It is an issue of power and betrayal that can occur within any hierarchical organization where trust is expected. Our attorneys have the experience to handle cases involving a wide range of religious institutions nationwide. We believe that every survivor deserves justice, regardless of the religious context in which the abuse occurred.
Our team is prepared to take on cases involving abuse connected to:
- Catholic Dioceses and Archdioceses
- The Southern Baptist Convention
- Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Halls
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church)
- Protestant denominations and non-denominational churches
- Synagogues and other Jewish organizations
- Religion-affiliated schools, youth groups, and summer camps
No organization is too big or too powerful to be held accountable for its actions. Our commitment is to survivors, and we will fearlessly confront any institution that has enabled or concealed abuse.
Your Story is Safe Here: Confidentiality and Compassion
Coming forward to talk about what happened takes immense strength. Many survivors worry about their privacy, being judged, or not being believed. At Horowitz Law, we have created a safe and supportive environment where your story will be heard with compassion and without judgment. Your well-being is our foremost concern.
Your first call and consultation with our firm is always 100% free and strictly confidential. You are in control of the conversation. We are here to listen and provide information, and you will never be pressured to move forward until you are ready. As we work together, we are committed to upholding your privacy, including exploring options like filing a lawsuit under a pseudonym (e.g., "Jane Doe" or "John Doe") to protect your identity.
To further support you through this process, we also provide access to crucial resources:
- Mental Health Support: We can connect you with therapists and counselors who have experience working with survivors of trauma. Resources like those provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlight the importance of trauma-informed care.
- Survivor Networks: If you wish, we can help connect you with support networks of other survivors who can offer shared understanding and encouragement.
- Clear Communication: Our legal team will provide you with regular updates and be available to answer your questions, ensuring you always know the status of your case.
We have the utmost respect for your experiences and are ready to help you on your terms.
Church & Clergy Sexual Abuse FAQs
We have compiled answers to some common questions that survivors of religious and institutional abuse often ask.
What if the person who abused me has passed away?
Even if the abuser is deceased, you can still file a civil lawsuit against the church, diocese, or religious organization that employed them. The lawsuit would focus on the institution's role in enabling the abuse, such as through negligent supervision, failure to act on prior complaints, or actively covering up the misconduct. The institution’s responsibility does not disappear when the individual abuser dies.
Will I have to face my abuser in court?
The majority of civil sexual abuse cases are resolved through a settlement before a trial ever takes place. However, the legal process does involve a phase called discovery, which may include a deposition where you provide testimony under oath. Our attorneys will thoroughly prepare you for this and will be by your side to protect your interests. We work to make this process as safe and empowering for you as possible.
How much does it cost to hire a Church & Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no upfront costs or attorneys' fees. We only get paid if we successfully secure a financial recovery for you, either through a settlement or a jury verdict. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. This approach allows every survivor to access high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Will my name and story become public?
We understand that privacy is a major concern for most survivors. In many states, it is often possible to file a lawsuit using a pseudonym, such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe," to protect your identity from being revealed in public court records. We can discuss these and other confidentiality measures with you during your free consultation.
What kind of evidence do I need to bring a case?
Your own testimony is one of the most powerful forms of evidence in a civil case. You do not need a "perfect" memory or physical evidence from decades ago to have a strong case. We can help build your case with corroborating evidence, which may include journals or diaries, letters, emails, statements from friends or family you confided in, and, most importantly, the institution's own internal records that may show a pattern of similar behavior or cover-up.
What if I was an adult when the abuse occurred?
Abuse is not limited to children. Clergy members and other religious figures hold a position of immense trust and authority, and they can exploit that power to abuse adults in their congregation or community. Adults who were abused by a person in a position of religious authority have the right to file a civil lawsuit to hold that person and their supervising institution accountable.
Does a civil lawsuit cover sexual molestation by a member of the clergy or a church volunteer?
Yes. The term sexual abuse covers a broad range of illegal conduct, and this includes sexual molestation. The firm files civil lawsuits on behalf of survivors of sexual assault and molestation perpetrated by priests, pastors, youth leaders, and other figures in a religious organization.
These lawsuits focus on holding the institution—the church, diocese, or other body—accountable for its negligent actions that allowed the molestation to happen, such as failing to screen employees or failing to act on warning signs.
What legal duty does a church or religious institution have to prevent abuse?
Under the law, religious institutions and their governing bodies possess a duty of care, which requires them to take reasonable steps to protect their members, especially children, from foreseeable harm. This duty requires effective policies for background checks, supervision, and reporting known or suspected abuse.
When a church fails in this duty—for example, by ignoring complaints, hiding an abuser’s history, or transferring them to a new community—the law holds the institution negligent and legally responsible for the resulting harm.
It Is Time to Get Justice
While nothing can change the past, you can take a stand for your future. Holding a powerful institution accountable can be a validating and crucial part of the healing process, not just for you but for other survivors as well. It sends a message that secrecy and cover-ups will no longer be tolerated.
The compassionate and experienced legal team at Horowitz Law is ready to help you give voice to your past and demand justice. If you or someone you love is a survivor of abuse within a religious organization, contact our Church & Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers today for a free, completely confidential consultation.