California Clergy Sexual Abuse Victim Lawyers

In the last decade, the state of California has repeatedly made headlines repeatedly concerning allegations of clergy sexual abuse. Fortunately, reported incidents have decreased in the last decade due to a “zero tolerance” policy known as the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, a comprehensive set of policies and procedures set forth by the Catholic Church to address allegations of sexual abuse by minors. However, when incidents do occur, offenders and the organizations that support them must be held accountable.

California Clergy Sexual Abuse Settlements

In 2003, victims of sexual abuse were given a one-year window to bring sexual abuse claims that had been previously barred by a statute of limitations. Victims could bring claims regardless of how long ago the incidents had occurred. About 800 claims were brought statewide. Some of the settlements included:

June 2003: The Diocese of San Bernardino agreed to pay more than $2 million to two former altar boys who claimed to be sexually abused thousands of times by a priest at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in San Bernardino in the early 1980’s.

June 2005: The Archdiocese of San Francisco agreed to pay $21.2 million to 15 people who were molested by five clergymen, including one priest who was involved in drafting the 2002 “zero tolerance” policy toward clergy abuse.

June 2005: The Diocese of Santa Rosa announced a settlement of eight sexual abuse lawsuits for $7.3 million.

July 2005: The Diocese of Sacramento agreed to may $35 million to 33 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse.

December 2005: Diocese of Orange agrees to pay $100 million settlement to approximately 90 victims, with payouts ranging from $50,0000 to close to $4 million.

July 2007: Diocese of Los Angeles agrees to pay $660 million to 508 victims.

September 2007: The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego agreed to a $198.1 million settlement of 144 claims of children who claimed they were molested as children. The San Diego diocese paid out the settlement in March 2008. The average payout per plaintiff amounted to $1.3 million.

Advocates for Clergy Sexual Abuse Victims

California sexual abuse attorneys at Estey Bomberger have handled civil actions arising from sexual abuse at the hands of trusted adults, including doctors, teachers, coaches, foster parents, and clergy. The common thread of sexual abuse cases is an inappropriate sexual act, such as molestation, sexual assault or rape, by a person of trust or authority. At the time of abuse, victims typically are innocent, vulnerable, and unaware. In 2010, Estey Bomberger secured a $30 million verdict for a northern California boy who was sexually abused at the hands of his foster father. From experience, we understand the tremendous emotional pain that sexual abuse causes children and their families. Our role is to provide support and advocacy for victims, and hold offenders accountable. If you or a loved one has been sexually abused by a member of the clergy, contact Estey Bomberger today. We are here to help you move forward.