Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may be entitled to compensation. Recent settlements include $880 million in Los Angeles and hundreds of millions in other dioceses.

Overview

The Catholic Church continues to face significant litigation for institutional sexual abuse by clergy members. Recent settlements total billions of dollars, with ongoing lawsuits nationwide.

Major Recent Settlements

Los Angeles Archdiocese (October 2024)

$880 million settlement
Resolves 1,500+ claims
One of largest single archdiocese settlements
Total LA payouts exceed $1.5 billion

Other Significant Settlements (2024-2025)

New Orleans: $230 million (September 2025)
Rockville Centre, NY: $320 million (December 2024)
Rochester, NY: $246 million (July 2025)
Buffalo, NY: $150 million (June 2025)
Albany, NY: $8 million (October 2025)

Who Qualifies?

You may be eligible if you:

Were sexually abused by a priest, monk, or church employee
Abuse occurred at a Catholic institution
Are within your state's statute of limitations window
Have documentation or witnesses

State-Specific Windows

Many states have opened or extended filing windows for childhood sexual abuse claims. Windows vary by state and may be time-limited.

Recent Developments

October 2024: LA Archdiocese $880M settlement approved
2024: 32% decline in new allegations vs. previous year
Ongoing: Approximately 39 lawsuits pending against Delbarton School (NJ)
Multiple Dioceses: In bankruptcy proceedings

Settlement Amounts

Individual settlements vary based on:

Severity and duration of abuse
Age when abuse occurred
Psychological and physical harm
Impact on life and career
Jurisdiction and diocese financial status

Verdict Example

October 2025: New Jersey civil trial resulted in $5 million verdict for former student abused by monk

How to File

If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, contact us for a confidential, free case evaluation. Many states have limited filing windows.