The true scope of sexual abuse committed by clergy members remains difficult to measure, but it is undeniable that such abuse has been both widespread and deeply traumatic. If you or a loved one has experienced clergy abuse, know that you are not alone. An experienced Culver City clergy sexual abuse lawyer can help you take legal action and recover compensation.
At Arias Sanguinetti, our Culver City sexual abuse lawyers are committed to standing up for survivors. We offer supportive, experienced legal representation and are prepared to pursue justice on your behalf. Contact us today to arrange your free and confidential case evaluation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Culver City Clergy Abuse Cases?
Survivors often believe that the only person they can hold responsible is the individual clergy member who committed the abuse. However, many cases reveal that these acts were enabled or covered up by religious institutions that should have acted to prevent them.
Civil lawsuits provide a powerful avenue not only to hold perpetrators accountable but also to shine a light on the broader systems that allowed abuse to occur. In Culver City and throughout California, multiple parties can potentially be held liable, including:
- Priests
- Deacons
- Bishops
- Archbishops
- Individual churches
- Religious orders
- Local dioceses
- Larger archdiocesan authorities
Our experienced Culver City personal injury lawyers can help you identify all liable parties and take legal action to secure compensation and justice.
By taking legal action against the institution, survivors can help expose patterns of misconduct, challenge systemic failures, and prevent future abuse. Filing a claim isn’t just about seeking financial compensation. By filing a civil lawsuit, you are also demanding transparency and long-overdue accountability.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Clergy Sexual Abuse
California has implemented several legal reforms designed to support survivors of childhood and adult sexual abuse. These reforms provide extended windows to file lawsuits, recognizing that survivors often need years, if not decades, before they are ready to come forward.
Under Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), individuals who were sexually abused as minors have until the age of 40, or within five years of discovering that the abuse caused them harm, to file a lawsuit. This expanded statute of limitations reflects the long-term psychological impact of sexual trauma and the difficulties survivors face in reporting abuse.
Assembly Bill 452 (AB 452) further eliminates the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse that occurred on or after January 1, 2024. This means that survivors of recent abuse can take legal action at any time without facing a deadline.
Legal Deadlines for Adult Survivors of Clergy Abuse
For adult survivors—those who were 18 or older at the time of the abuse, California law typically allows 10 years from the date of the abuse or three years from the discovery of related harm to file a civil claim.
Additionally, AB 2777 created a temporary lookback window, giving survivors of adult sexual abuse whose claims were previously time-barred an opportunity to file lawsuits until December 31, 2026.
Understanding how these laws apply to your specific situation can be challenging. Our Culver City clergy abuse lawyers can help you determine your eligibility and ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate legal window.
Culver City Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Types of Damages a Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorney Serving Culver City Can Help You Obtain
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may be entitled to several types of financial compensation. While no amount of money can undo the trauma you’ve endured, pursuing damages can help address the harm and support your healing process.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are awarded for measurable, financial losses related to the abuse. These losses may include:
- Medical bills (including physical and psychological treatment)
- Ongoing mental health therapy or counseling
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity due to the lasting effects of abuse
Non-Economic Damages
The emotional and psychological impact of clergy sexual abuse is often devastating. Survivors may struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trust issues, or an inability to form close relationships.
These intangible harms fall under non-economic damages and are often a significant part of clergy abuse settlements. Your pain and suffering, including emotional distress and mental anguish, along with your loss of quality of life, deserve acknowledgment.
Punitive Damages
In extreme cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These are designed to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior by other individuals and institutions in the future. Our team of clergy abuse attorneys serving Culver City can help assess the full scope of your damages and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
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Our Clergy Abuse Lawyers in Culver City Only Collect Payment If We Win
We believe that financial barriers should never prevent survivors from seeking justice. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any upfront legal fees, and we do not charge by the hour.
Instead, our legal team is only paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing. This approach ensures that every survivor has access to top-tier legal representation, regardless of their financial circumstances.
When compensation is recovered, either through settlement or court judgment, our fee comes from the recovered amount, never directly from your pocket. This means you can focus on your recovery with the peace of mind that your financial situation is protected.
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Why Choose Our Culver City Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys?
Choosing the right legal representation can make a significant difference in your journey toward justice. At Arias Sanguinetti, our attorneys bring decades of experience in representing survivors of sexual abuse, particularly in complicated clergy-related cases. We are deeply familiar with the unique legal, emotional, and procedural challenges that arise in these matters.
When you work with our Culver City legal team, you’ll receive:
- Confidential and understanding legal support
- Thorough investigation into your claim
- Aggressive pursuit of accountability and compensation
- Access to resources and professionals who understand trauma and healing
We know how hard it can be to step forward. We are here to listen, support, and guide you every step of the process.
Take the First Step Toward Justice by Reaching Out to Our Clergy Abuse Attorneys in Culver City Today
If you or someone you care about has experienced clergy sexual abuse in Culver City or anywhere in Southern California, the time to act is now. Let us help you reclaim your voice and hold those responsible accountable for the pain they caused.
Reach out to Arias Sanguinetti today for a free consultation. With over 300 years of combined experience, we can provide you with the support you need. Call our office or fill out our secure online contact form. We are here to help you pursue justice, healing, and the compensation you deserve.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
