Clergy sex abuse can have a devastating and lasting effect on survivors. If you or someone you love experienced abuse at the hands of a church leader or other religious figure, you deserve compensation for the physical, mental, and financial harm you have suffered.
Our personal injury attorneys handle clergy sex abuse claims in Avalon Park. We could fight to protect your rights and aggressively pursue your damages in civil court, regardless of whether the criminal court holds your abuser accountable. Let us provide you with compassionate and experienced representation.
Clergy sex abuse claims have occurred across the country, including claims involving the Catholic Diocese of Orlando. But clergy sex abuse is not limited to a specific church or religion. It affects all denominations and involves all types of religious leaders, from priests to pastors to youth ministers.
Often, sex abusers in the clergy use their position of trust and authority within the church to target victims, including grooming children and young adults. They may also use their position to threaten, coerce, or guilt both child and adult victims into compliance or silence.
Because of the power imbalance and complex relationships involved, clergy sex abuse claims in Avalon Park can be challenging. Our lawyers could help you navigate your case with sensitivity and respect. We represent survivors of adult and childhood sexual abuse.
Clergy sex abuse often involves individual abusers and the institutions that overlooked, permitted, or excused their actions. For example, churches and their overarching leadership could be liable for:
Our clergy sex abuse lawyers in Avalon Park are not afraid to stand up to large and powerful defendants, like religious institutions. We could investigate your case and determine if you have grounds for an institutional sex abuse claim for damages.
No amount of money can erase what you have suffered. However, a civil claim for compensation could provide you with a measure of justice and resources to help you heal and move your life forward. Our Avalon Park lawyers could help you seek the following damages in a clergy sex abuse claim.
Sex abuse can cause physical injuries, sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), and unintended pregnancy. Survivors of abuse are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and struggle with alcohol and drug abuse.
We could help you seek compensation for current and future medical costs related to your abuse, including hospital and doctor fees, medical procedures, medications, mental health services, and substance abuse programs.
The mental and physical health consequences of clergy sex abuse could cause you to miss work or make it difficult to maintain employment. This is true whether the abuse occurred in your childhood or adulthood. Our attorneys could help you identify your lost wages and understand how the abuse has affected your earning capacity so that you can seek full and fair compensation for these losses.
Pain and suffering damages compensate you for intangible losses related to your physical health and overall well-being. They may include awards for chronic pain, permanent physical injuries, mental health issues, and reduced quality of life.
The court may award punitive damages in a clergy sex abuse claim, but they do not address your losses. Instead, courts order defendants to pay them as a form of punishment and as a deterrent against future bad behavior.
There are multiple deadlines that could apply to your Avalon Park clergy sex abuse claim, depending on whether the abuse happened when you were an adult or a minor. If your abuse occurred when you were under age 16, there may not be a statute of limitations on your case at all.
The flexibility in deadlines reflects an increased understanding of how hard it is for childhood sexual abuse survivors to come forward. Florida is one of many states that have extended legal timelines for these types of cases. Our attorneys could tell you more and help you take action before it is too late.
The criminal justice system may hold your abuser criminally responsible. But no matter the outcome of your criminal case, our lawyers could help you seek accountability and financial compensation with a civil court claim.
Contact The Umansky Law firm about clergy sex abuse claims in Avalon Park today. We have over 100 years of combined experience, and offer free initial consultations.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
