Sexual Assault Claims Against Archdioceses & Priests
If you or a loved one were abused as a minor by a member of the clergy (i.e. priests, monsignors, deacons, bishops, brothers, sisters (nuns), etc.), contact Duck Law Firm to discuss your legal rights. You are entitled to compensation that will provide you with the resources to assist you in your recovery.
Law Changes the Prescriptive Period (Time Limitation) for Victims to File Suit
House Bill 492 was passed by the Louisiana Legislature and signed by Governor Edwards. La.R.S. 9:2800.9 will be revised and will go into effect on August 1, 2021. The revision eradicates the deadline for sex abuse victims to seek damages and establishes a three year window where all unresolved claims, no matter how long ago they were made, can be pursued. This is a victory for all victims!
What Is Clergy Sexual Abuse of a Minor?
Clergy sexual abuse is the abuse of minor that is considered sexual in nature, and is committed by a member of the Catholic Church. The term ‘clergy’ in this context includes priests, monsignors, deacons, bishops, brothers, sisters (nuns), and staff.
Abuse of a child, specifically abuse that is sexual in nature, refers to the intentional harm of a minor and can be physical or psychological in nature. Since a minor cannot consent to ANY form of sexual activity, all acts of a sexual nature against a child are criminal. Forms of sexual abuse may include:
The Devastating Effects of Sexual Abuse
Sexually assaulting anyone can cause lifelong devastation that negatively alters the victim’s well-being. Children and adults who have been sexually assaulted can suffer from significant sleeping disorders, ongoing depression, substance abuse, self-injury, and suicide, including suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide). Young children and teenage victims might develop negative eating habits, begin living an over-sexualized lifestyle, or engage in any form of risky behavior.
Louisiana Roman Catholic Church Diocese
In Louisiana, the Catholic Church is the single largest religious group of all faiths statewide. The Archdiocese of New Orleans, six dioceses and their Bishops manage 474 churches and 185 Catholic schools across Louisiana. The Church provides services to hundreds of thousands of registered Catholics living in sixty-four parishes (counties).
While the Roman Catholic Church promotes itself as a safe community to enjoy worship and religious education, things are not always what they seem. In recent years, Church officials have had to reckon with their previous behavior of covering up evidence that predatory priests in their parishes were sexually abusing adults and underage minors.
Many of the horrors associated with the sexual predators caused years of victim shame and humiliation who told survivors to remain silent or suffer the consequences.
Credible Clergy Abuse Disclosure Lists
The various dioceses have disclosed what they label as “Credible Clergy Abuse Disclosure Lists”. These lists do NOT identify all predators, nor do they identify the persons within the Diocese who facilitated, harbored and protected these criminals. The lists are can be located at the following links:
Archdiocese of New Orleans: https://nolacatholic.org/2018-report
Diocese of Lafayette: https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/2136/documents/2019/5/Diocese%20of%20Lafayette%20Clergy%20Abuse%20Disclosure%20List.pdf
Diocese of Lake Charles: http://www.lcdiocese.org/images/pdfs/2021-02-04_List-of-Clergy-Credibly-Accused.pdf
Diocese of Baton Rouge: (Note the Diocese of Baton Rouge has removed their List of Clergy Credibly Accused)
Diocese of Alexandria: https://www.diocesealex.org/category/ongoing-clergy-sexual-abuse-page/
Diocese of Houma: https://htdiocese.org/disclosure-of-names
CHURCH COVER UP
For years, the Church’s manner in dealing with pedophile priests and clergy was to send them for counseling and transfer them to another unsuspecting flock. The Church’s self interest in protecting its monetary assets outweighed their fiduciary and moral obligations to their parishioners and thousands of innocent children. Their conduct is despicable, and they do NOT hold themselves accountable. The only way to deter and vanquish this conduct is through criminal and civil litigation. We have to “turn a light on the roaches and stomp them out of existence”.
HELP is here
First, you should contact your local law enforcement agency and report this crime.
If you want to talk to someone anonymously, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 800.4.A.CHILD (422-4453), any time 24/7.
See: https://www.rainn.org/
Our attorney, Kevin R. Duck has over 26 years of litigation experience. He is licensed in all Louisiana State and Federal Courts as well as the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Duck has been peer reviewed and identified as in the top 1% of all litigators in the United States. Mr. Duck currently represents several victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse.
DUCK LAW FIRM will provide you with the civil legal assistance you need. We have the resources and experience to properly investigate and litigate your case and get the result you deserve. You deserve the BEST and do not settle for less. Contact DUCK LAW FIRM at 877-902-1144 to ensure that you have the best legal representation possible. CALL NOW!
THE PROCESS:
1. Interview Process. Upon contacting Duck Law Firm, a conference will be coordinated with our attorney, Kevin R. Duck to conduct an initial interview. Mr. Duck is experienced in Clergy Abuse Litigation and will conduct a thorough interview that will elicit and retrieve through the interview process the factual information and evidence required to pursue your case. This is not a simple auto accident and not just any attorney will do. Call Duck Law Firm for skilled and experienced representation with Clergy Abuse Litigation cases.
2. Investigation. Duck Law Firm will have skilled investigators conduct a thorough investigation to collect evidence and information that will be instrumental and critical in preparing your suit and giving you the best opportunity to resolve your case favorably through the settlement process or if necessary, at trial. The investigation process includes interviewing witnesses, identifying other victims of abuse, collecting documents, forensic research regarding the perpetrator’s past. This process can be expensive and you need a firm with the resources to conduct a thorough investigation.
3. File Suit. Kevin R. Duck has over 26 years in civil litigation and is a seasoned trial attorney. In order to maximize your recovery and obtain the result you deserve, you need an attorney who can see this matter through from beginning to end. Mr. Duck’s primary source of cases are skilled attorneys who trust him to litigate their cases.
4. Settlement or Verdict. “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” George Washington. We prepare for “WAR” and as a result, more often than not, are able to amicably resolve your suit. But of course, if “WAR” is necessary, then we are well prepared and equipped to finish what we started.
