Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Fr. Joseph Agostino in Brooklyn
Being a victim of sexual abuse can be a traumatizing experience that could affect a person for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, dozens of people have been victimized by priests and other clergy members that may have never faced justice. Father (Fr.) Joseph Agostino is one priest that should be held accountable for his sexual abuse of members of the church. If you were a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of Fr. Joseph Agostino, you should consult with an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse attorney today.
At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we are devoted to providing victims of sexual abuse with the legal representation they need to pursue their case against their abuser. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential case, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706, or contact us online.
Allegations Against Fr. Agostino
Father Joseph Agostino was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1983. For over two decades he worked at the St. John the Baptist parish. This parish had a school and a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program that served hundreds of students at the time Fr. Agostino was employed by the parish.
In 2003, Fr. Agostino was accused of sexual abuse by a male that may have attended one of the schools in the Brooklyn parish. However, there was deemed to be insufficient evidence of Fr. Agostino’s crimes. In 2009, the male again accused Fr. Agostino of sexual abuse while also providing new evidence that stated that the male was a minor at the time of the abuse.
In response to these new allegations, the Brooklyn diocese removed Fr. Agostino from the ministry for a time. Fr. Agostino no longer works in the Brooklyn parish,
It is currently unclear about the number of allegations against Fr. Agostino. However, it is clear that the State of New York has made a concerted effort to make it easier for victims of sexual abuse to pursue legal claims against their abusers. To learn more about filing a lawsuit for sexual assault, continue reading and speak with an experienced New York personal injury lawyer today.
Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Cases in New York
As a result of the hundreds of child abuse allegations against priests and clergy members of the Brooklyn Diocese and across New York, the New York Child Victims Act (CVA) was passed. Passed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on February 14, 2019, the CVA extends the statute of limitations for plaintiffs in sexual abuse cases.
The statute of limitations is a law that determines the amount of time that a person has to file a particular type of lawsuit with the court. If the plaintiff is unsuccessful in filing their case within the time limit, the court will bar the plaintiff’s claims. Due to the CVA, the statute of limitations for sexual abuse civil lawsuits in New York was increased until the victim reaches the age of 55. The CVA also provides for the victim to not only file a lawsuit against their abuser but also to file against the diocese or institution that employed the abuser.
Additionally, if a victim’s sexual abuse claim was barred by the statute of limitations prior to the CVA being passed, the CVA provides another solution for those victims. Specifically, the CVA gives victims one year to file their claim against an abuser. This one-year period does not begin to run until six months after the CVA was passed. This means that you have a year to file your case after August 14, 2019. As the six-month delay period has already ended, you should consider meeting with an experienced attorney to consider filing a sexual abuse claim.
The CVA was passed by New York as they recognized the difficulty victims of sexual assault faced when coming forward with allegations against their abuser. Our firm also recognizes the widespread impact that sexual abuse can have on a person’s life, and we are here for you. We can speak to you about your legal options regarding your sexual abuse claim.
Work with an Experienced Brooklyn Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was a victim of Fr. Agostino’s sexual abuse, contact an experienced Brooklyn sexual assault lawyer today. The skilled legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP have over three decades of combined legal experience litigating a wide range of personal injury cases, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706.