Priests, ministers, deacons, elders, rabbis, and other clergy are highly respected members of the Sanford community. Congregants rely on these official clergy members to provide them with religious guidance and emotional support.
Unfortunately, some clergy members violate the trust that has been placed in them by abusing people. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone in the clergy, you might be eligible to pursue financial compensation in a lawsuit. Our seasoned civil injury attorneys have successfully helped with many clergy sex abuse claims in Sanford. Our compassionate legal team understands how traumatic clergy sex abuse can be and we work hard to minimize your discomfort during this difficult time.
Sexual abuse by clergy members can take many different forms, including the following:
Our Sanford lawyers have successfully helped survivors prove in lawsuits that sexual abuse from the clergy has occurred and affected their lives. If the alleged offender has been convicted, we could use that conviction as evidence to prove their liability. However, you can get compensated even if there has been no criminal conviction, as the burden of proof in civil claims is lower than in criminal charges.
Clergy sex abuse occurs when clergy intentionally abuse their position by sexually abusing or exploiting a member of their congregation. In addition to sometimes causing physical injuries, clergy sex abuse can lead to debilitating emotional and psychological damages that can affect how an injured person leads the rest of their life. Some people face depression or develop anxiety or post-traumatic stress that can be easily triggered. Others withdraw from life and no longer wish to engage with their families.
Many clergy sex abuse survivors find it difficult to have sexual or even loving relationships with partners. Some children are unable to go to school or their grades suffer, while adult survivors might find it hard to maintain a job. Many sex abuse survivors need to undergo extensive counseling in order to help them lead productive their lives.
Many clergy abuse survivors find the experience to be dehumanizing and debilitating, and some people are afraid to speak out for fear that the clergy will retaliate against them. Others are ashamed and embarrassed about what happened to them and afraid that they themselves have done something wrong, which is far from the truth. This can have damaging effects on the rest of someone’s life. Our caring attorneys in Sanford understand how terrifying it is to bring a claim against the clergy for sex abuse. We handle these lawsuits with sensitivity, discretion, and care.
Our legal team could help hold the clergy member, and the institution they work for, accountable for the emotional, psychological, mental, and physical pain they have caused you. We could help you seek monetary compensation to help cover the cost of your losses, including lost wages, medical bills for your physical care, and bills for your therapy expenses. We could also seek recovery for your non-economic losses, which could include your pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Our team works closely with you, your family, your medical care providers, and your counselors to learn the full effect that the abuse has had on your life, to pursue a damages award or settlement that represents fair compensation.
Clergy sex abuse claims in Sanford are not easy to go through, but they can provide you with an avenue for justice against an offender who used their power to take advantage of you or your child. The Umansky Law Firm will work tirelessly to help you get through the legal proceedings and get the justice you deserve. Talk to our team in a free consultation today.
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