Catholic Church Sex Abuse Lawsuits in Washington State

If you faced Catholic Church sexual abuse in Washington State, you can file a lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to join others in a class action lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Washington. The lawsuit accuses Roman Catholic Church leaders of decades of child sexual abuse. 

If you were abused by a member of the Archdiocese of Washington or any other Catholic Church institution, you have legal options. You may be able to recover damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit or joining a class action case. A Washington sex abuse lawyer can guide your case and help you seek justice. 

Some Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Have Reached Fair Settlements 

If you are considering taking legal action against a church official, you are not alone. Many other sexual abuse survivors have pursued justice for sexual abuse, and many of these cases involved childhood sexual abuse. 

Some of the settlements that have been reached in Catholic Church abuse cases include: 

• The Seattle Archdiocese paid $2.3 million to settle five sexual abuse cases 
• The Diocese of Syracuse in New York paid $100 million to settle hundreds of abuse cases 
• The New Jersey Catholic Diocese paid $87.5 million to settle hundreds of sexual abuse claims 

While there is no guarantee of any specific settlement amount in your case, your personal injury lawyer can help you determine which damages you may recover. 

How to Pursue a Catholic Church Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Those who endured sexual abuse can file a civil lawsuit against their abuser. Some of the steps you should take if you plan to file a lawsuit include: 

Proving Who the Liable Party Is 

In civil claims, you need to prove that another party is the reason you suffered damages. You can do this by collecting evidence. 

Many sexual abuse survivors decide to partner with a law firm that can help them through the legal process. If you hire a firm, your legal team can help you collect the following types of evidence to prove liability: 

• The police report and any other documents from law enforcement 
• Video or photo evidence 
• Statements from lay and expert witnesses 
• Your medical records 

Once you have established fault, you can file a lawsuit against your abuser. In some cases, you could also file a case against anyone who helped to cover up the abuse. 

Determining Your Recoverable Damages 

The purpose of a civil lawsuit is to seek financial justice for the harm you suffered. You can hold your abuser accountable for the abuse by demanding compensation for recoverable damages such as: 

• Medical expenses, including the costs of doctor’s visits, medical tests, or prescription medicines 
• Physical pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress, such as if you now suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety
• Reduced quality of life 
• Loss of enjoyment of life, if any of your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies or activities you enjoy
• Lost income if you needed to take time off work to recover or attend doctor’s appointments or mental health therapy 
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from earning the amount of money you once would have been able to

Your attorney will analyze the details of your case to determine which damages you may recover. 

Filing Your Case by the Legal Deadline 

You must file your lawsuit by the deadline outlined in your state’s statute of limitations. In Washington State, you generally have three years to file a sexual abuse lawsuit, according to RCW § 4.16.340. If you miss this deadline, you may forfeit your chance to seek justice through the legal system. 

There may be exceptions to this deadline, but it’s usually in your best interest to get started on your case as soon as you can. When you contact a law firm, you may want to ask them about the filing deadlines for cases that involve child sexual abuse if this applies to your case. 

Seeking Legal Guidance 

You can manage your lawsuit against a church leader or Catholic Church member alone, but it probably won’t be easy. Filing a lawsuit on your own means you’ll need to recount the details of your case, and you might have to stand up against the liable party on your own. 

Plus, taking on your case by yourself means you may not receive a settlement offer that covers all your recoverable damages. 

When you hire a sex abuse attorney to manage your case, they will: 

• Communicate with the liable party and their legal team on your behalf 
• Represent you in court, if necessary 
• Explain any laws that apply to your case 
• Answer any questions you have about clergy sexual abuse 
• Determine who you can sue, whether it is a Catholic priest or another party 
• Recommend resources for sex abuse survivors 
• Negotiate for a settlement that compensates you fairly 
• Gather evidence to prove your right to compensation

By bringing your case to a lawyer, you have an advocate on your side who is fighting for justice in your case. You do not need to represent yourself against a Catholic Church that might be equipped with lawyers of their own. 

Contact Jackman Law Firm to Learn More About Filing a Catholic Church Sex Abuse Lawsuit in Washington State

Survivors of clergy abuse deserve justice, and the team at Jackman Law Firm is ready to get to work on your case. We can help you file a sexual abuse lawsuit, allowing you to pursue compensation for all your recoverable damages.

When you bring your case to our attorneys, we will manage the entire legal process for you. We may even be able to help you join a class action lawsuit if we believe it is in your best interest. Call us today to get started with a free initial consultation.