When you or a loved one is a victim of clergy sexual abuse, it can affect every aspect of your life and make it difficult to function. However, you have a right to justice, and we will help you hold your abuser accountable.
At White Law PLLC, our clergy sexual abuse attorneys in Grand Rapids, MI, will help you seek justice for the abuse.
During our practice, we have recovered over $1 billion for our clients. We continue to be dedicated to making sure that victims recover the compensation that covers the cost of any medical bills and emotional needs. Call us to discuss your recovery options.
Who Can Be Held Accountable in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
We understand that the trauma of being abused by a member of the clergy who you’re supposed to be able to trust can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help. You may hold the following parties responsible for their actions:
Clergy Members
If a member of a Grand Rapids clergy sexually abused you, you have the right to file a lawsuit against them. This can include actions such as rape, inappropriate touching, and verbal or physical sexual harassment.
Clergy members have a reputation and job to uphold. However, when they use their power to take advantage of others, they must be held legally accountable.
The Church
The church where the clergy member practices can also be negligent. The most common way is for the church to be aware of the abuse and not report it.
In Michigan, clergy members are mandated reporters. However, if they learned about the abuse in a confessional setting, the priest-penitent privilege exempts them from reporting. Sadly, most of the time, clergy members only admit to their abuse in confessions.
Another way the institution can be negligent is by moving the clergy member to a different church. This almost always guarantees that the abuse will continue at the new location.
Church Attendees
The final party that can be held accountable is other people that attend the church. If a church attendee knows about the abuse or even tries to cover it up, you may file a lawsuit against them.
Church attendees aren’t labeled as mandated reporters but have a duty of care to ensure they don’t cause harm. If a person purposely tries to cover up harm, they are directly causing harm by not stopping the abuse.
When multiple parties are involved, it can be difficult to determine who is accountable for clergy abuse. However, a clergy sexual abuse lawyer from our firm in Grand Rapids, MI, will help you identify who is responsible so you may get the damages you need.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Damages You Can Recover in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case
While money can in no way fully compensate for what you or a loved one went through, covering any costs that may come your way might be helpful.
The damages you qualify for depend on the severity of the effects you experience due to the abuse and the number of parties involved in your case. Our attorneys will identify what damages you may access.
Economic Damages
These refer to the monetary losses suffered by a victim as a result of the abuse. A Grand Rapids clergy sex abuse lawyer will help you recover damages for expenses such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Loss of income and future loss of wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Economic damages can have a significant impact on your financial stability and well-being. Seek legal representation to ensure you receive compensation for your tangible losses and can move forward with your life.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address the psychological impact of the traumatic event. Thus, you can recover financial compensation for the emotional, psychological, and social effects the abuse had on your life. Our lawyers may help you recover:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earnings
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
Given the subjective and deeply personal nature of these experiences, intangible losses are more difficult to quantify than economic damages. However, our Grand Rapids clergy sex abuse attorneys will use all available evidence to help relay the full magnitude of the trauma you experienced.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
How Our Full-Service Law Firm Can Help You
Our team of experienced attorneys will help you navigate the legal process and fight for justice. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and will provide compassionate support throughout the process.
We will work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and ensure you receive the compensation and closure you deserve.
Build an Evidence-Based Case
One of the most difficult parts of holding a clergy member accountable for sexual abuse is gathering evidence. However, our lawyers excel in doing so, and we will help you build a strong case with relevant evidence and witnesses to prove your claim.
Depending on the case, we may rely on the following types of proof:
- Witness statements
- Expert witness statements
- Medical records
- Emails or texts
By having documentation of the events, you have a higher chance of getting full compensation.
Fight for Fair Financial Compensation
Our attorneys are passionate about helping you recover financially, physically, and emotionally. We’ve dedicated a large amount of our time to helping victims of clergy sexual abuse, and we know how difficult it can be as a survivor. Our passion drives us to get you maximum compensation.
When you try to hold a clergy member accountable, the church often lawyers up or even tries to hide it. However, our firm will come back even stronger; we can uncover the church’s attempts to cover up the harm the clergy member has done. A clergy sexual abuse attorney in Grand Rapids, MI, will help you fight for justice.
We Have Vast Experience
Having experience with sexual abuse cases is crucial when it comes to seeking justice for survivors. The sensitive nature of these cases requires a deep understanding of the legal process and the emotional toll it takes on the victim.
This experience also helps build a strong case and present evidence to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for their actions. We also have a long history of successful case results.
The lead attorney at White Law PLLC has proudly represented victims in nationally recognized sexual abuse cases, including representing hundreds of Boy Scouts of America victims and clergy sex abuse victims.
File Within the Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a specific period during which you can take legal action. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, you may lose your right to seek justice.
The legislation governing the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases is changing in many states. Our legal team hopes that Michigan will also open up the deadline for these lawsuits.
Victims of clergy abuse may still recover damages beyond the standard three-year deadline or if they are older than 28. Contact our attorneys to discuss your legal options.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Contact White Law PLLC for a Free Case Consultation
The pain of suffering sexual abuse from a clergy member can be life-altering. Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI, at White Law PLLC will help fight for your financial and physical recovery.
Call us or fill out the contact form on our page for a free case legal consultation.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
