Brooklyn Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Catholic Priests
We often believe that a church or a school operated by the diocese is the safest place for our children. However, this trust is shattered if a family discovers that a catholic priest sexually abused a child that was in their care. If a catholic priest in Brooklyn sexually abused you or a family member, contact an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse attorney today.
At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, our firm is ready to help you file a claim against the institution that allowed your child to become a victim to grossly irresponsible catholic priests. Our firm understands how an incident or multiple incidents of sexual abuse can hurt your family, and we are here for you. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706, or contact us online.
Determining Liability for a Sexual Abuse Claim
In New York, dozens of priests have become the subject of sexual abuse lawsuits. The widespread nature of their crimes has shocked families that believed they placed their child in capable hands. Unfortunately, these abused children and their families must deal with the repulsive actions of these priests.
Dealing with a sexual abuse case can be difficult because your child will be forced to relive the abuse when explaining how a priest abused them. While you do not want your child to remember bad memories, it is necessary to ensure you have the evidence needed to prevail in a claim against a priest or the diocese they represent.
To prove a sexual assault case, a plaintiff must meet several requirements. One of the most important elements of a sexual assault case is providing evidence that the diocese or the employer of the priest had the knowledge or should have had knowledge regarding the abusive actions of the priest. For example, if there were allegations that the priest had abused a child and the diocese failed to investigate the allegation, this can be used as evidence of their liability.
Additionally, if the priest was working for a school or other organization when abusing children, it may be necessary to prove that the priest was acting as an agent of the employer when the abuse happened. For example, if the priest abused a child during school hours, this would have happened during the scope of their employment, which can be imputed to their employer.
To learn more about filing a lawsuit for a sexual abuse case in New York, continue reading and speak with an experienced Brooklyn sexual assault lawyer.
Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse by Priest Cases in NY
If you were a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a catholic priest, you should be aware of the New York Child Victims Act that is being used to protect victims of abuse. The New York Child Victims Act was passed on February 14, 2019, and states that civil lawsuits regarding sexual abuse can be filed against the abuser and the organization they represent until the victim reaches the age of 55.
The Victims Act also reinstates legal actions that were previously barred by the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines the length of time a plaintiff has to file a case against a defendant. The Victims Act gives victims of sexual abuse one year to file their claims against an abuser if their claim was previously barred.
Additionally, the one-year filing deadline does not begin to run until six months after the act was passed. This allows a victim of abuse up to August 14, 2019, to consult with an experienced abuse attorney to determine whether they should file their claim.
If you were a victim of sexual abuse by a catholic priest, you should consider meeting with our firm to discuss your case. We understand the stress of speaking about a sensitive topic like sexual abuse, and we are here for you. Our firm can help you ensure that sexual abusers are not permitted to escape liability and continue to harm other innocent children.
Work with Our Experienced Brooklyn Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was the victim of sexual abuse by a catholic priest, contact an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse lawyer today. The legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP possess decades of combined legal experience, and we are prepared to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your options, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 747-9706.