Church/Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Florida
Our lawyers at Horowitz Law have been representing survivors of clergy abuse for more than 20 years. In nearly every state across the United States, they advocate for sexual abuse survivors by Roman Catholic priests and other clergy.
Sexual abuse by a member of the clergy is a breach of trust at the highest level. Our attorneys are among the most experienced lawyers in the country in representing persons who have been sexually abused by priests from the Catholic church and clergy of many other faiths.
Taking On Some Of The World’s Most Powerful Religious Institutions
Since 2000, Horowitz Law attorneys have handled thousands of clergy sexual abuse cases involving various religious institutions, including:
- The Roman Catholic Church
- Baptist churches
- The Episcopal Church
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
- Judaism
These cases have involved incidents in religious schools, in churches/parishes, in seminaries, during religious counseling, during retreats, in schools, in the confessional and during other activities sponsored by religious institutions. Our clients include religious school students, altar boys and girls, and parishioners and congregants of all ages.
The Experience To Handle Complex Sexual Abuse Cases
Horowitz Law attorneys have prevailed on complex issues in clergy abuse cases involving the statute of limitations, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the legal issues surrounding the disclosure of “confidential” records that the Catholic Church has tried to conceal for decades. In fighting these battles, Adam Horowitz and our team have become familiar with the church’s unique hierarchy, record-keeping policies, terminology and defense tactics. Most importantly, our lawyers have become familiar with the unique pain experienced by survivors of clergy sexual abuse and the effects that it has on their faith, their relationships with family members and their mental health.
Church Sexual Assault Frequently Asked Questions
Sexual abuse by a clergy member is a devastating breach of trust. Our attorneys understand the courage it takes for survivors to come forward and know how overwhelming the legal process can be. They are here to listen to your story and answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, please see our lawyers’ answers to frequently asked questions about clergy sexual abuse, below.
Am I Eligible For A Church Abuse Lawsuit?
If you were sexually abused or exploited by a member of the clergy or a lay employee of America’s Catholic dioceses and religious orders, strict time limits may govern your claim. Depending on the state where the abuse occurred, you could have as short as one year to file a lawsuit. In the case of a religious entity’s bankruptcy, your time limit might be much shorter. Do not delay in contacting one of our attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your legal options today.
What Are Clergy Abuse Settlements?
First of all, we at Horowitz Law know that no one contacts us to “get rich quick.” You are seeking justice and healing from those who are responsible for your hurt. For us, the money we obtain for our clients is a symbol of holding those responsible for abuse accountable for their bad decisions. Having said that, monetary settlements can vary depending upon many factors, including the nature of your abuse, your age at the time of the abuse, how long the abuse lasted, what the church leaders knew about the danger to you, and how you have been impacted by your abuse. It will also depend upon a potential defendant’s assets, including insurance coverage. Our attorneys are among the most experienced in the country when it comes to navigating the complex nature of negotiating settlements for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your legal options today.
How Many Catholic Priests Have Been Abusers?
At Horowitz Law, we have documented over 4,000 alleged priest and diocese abusers, which can be found by clicking on the lists of Catholic dioceses at the bottom of this page. However, hundreds of clergy abusers are identified every year throughout the country. In Florida, all seven Catholic diocese have been homes to priests that sexually abused children.
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:
Arizona
Arkansas
California
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles
- 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
Colorado
Connecticut
- 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
Maine
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
- Archdiocese of New York
- Diocese of Albany
- Diocese of Brooklyn
- Diocese of Buffalo
- Diocese of Ogdensburg
- Diocese of Rochester
- Diocese of Rockville Centre
- Diocese of Syracuse
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Diocese of Allentown
- Diocese of Erie
- Diocese of Greensburg
- Diocese of Harrisburg
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Diocese of Scranton
Vermont
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
Get Help From Our Sexual Abuse Lawyers To Take On Religious Institutions
Our lawyers at Horowitz Law represent children and adults who are survivors of sexual abuse by priests, ministers, rabbis, deacons, nuns and other clergy members in civil lawsuits. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse or sexual assault at a church or other religious organization, please contact us at 954-641-2100 or send us an email.