As one of the preeminent law firms litigating child abuse cases in the United States, the personal injury attorneys at Morgan & Morgan understand that many children are reluctant to name the perpetrators that caused them immense harm. Because of the fear of retribution, many children conceal their pain for years, if not for decades before coming forward with accounts of child abuse. When abuse involves a member of the clergy, a majority of children are even more reluctant to come forward with stories of the horrible crimes committed by priests.
Parents that suspect clergy abuse often wonder what they need to do if their child was abused by a priest. Following a few steps that include meeting with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in litigating child abuse cases can help parents get justice for their children. At Morgan & Morgan, we aggressively pursue cases that involve a priest taking advantage of a vulnerable child by committing one or more abusive acts. The Catholic Church retains an incredible amount of influence in the community, but the rash of recent out-of-court settlements indicates the Catholic Church is being held accountable for attracting abusive members of the clergy.
Knowing what to do if your child was abused by a priest can help you receive monetary damages. The large financial coffers held by the Catholic Church have led to numerous lucrative payouts by judges ruling on civil lawsuits. You also can seek injunctive relief, which forces the Catholic Church to implement measures that stop abusive priests from harming children. Judges and juries that hear child abuse cases have the option to award punitive damages to plaintiffs as well.
At Morgan & Morgan, we have a highly dedicated team of child sex abuse attorneys available to help you seek the justice your child deserves. In addition to working with a team of highly-skilled litigators, you also can expect empathic and compassionate responses to help you cope with the outrage that develops because a member of the clergy misused a position of authority to injure a child mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Schedule a free case evaluation to hold a priest accountable for harming your child.