Sexual abuse at the hands of a religious leader is among the most despicable crimes that occur in our society. If it has happened to you or your child, it is understandable if you experience overwhelming emotions and confusion. You have been egregiously betrayed by someone you trusted.
While we will never claim to understand what you have been through, we can help. An Atlanta Seventh-day Adventist church sexual abuse lawyer can fight for you and hold your abusers accountable. We will work to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our Atlanta clergy sexual abuse lawyers at John Foy & Associates have over 350 years of combined experience fighting for people in need. Contact us today for a free consultation and tell us your story. Put The Strong Arm to work for you.
How An Attorney Can Help
While your abusers will hopefully face criminal charges for their actions, there is value in holding the church accountable in civil court. The church can blame specific bad actors for breaking the law, but a civil trial can shed light on the culture that allowed it.
You might not feel like you’re brave enough to make that happen. Our Atlanta sexual abuse lawyers will be there for you to battle on your behalf and make sure the church understands what has happened to you or your child on their watch.
Some of the ways we may be able to help include:
Give You a Voice
You will be heard. When you partner with a skilled attorney, you have an advocate ready to fight for your civil rights and hold the people who hurt you or your child accountable. We have the experience and the knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve.
Investigate Your Case
We are going to find out what happened and who is responsible. Sexual abuse in the church may happen at the hands of clergy, but other perpetrators may include employers, volunteers, and youth leaders.
Assess Your Damages
We will calculate your damages, which may include economic expenses such as medical bills. In cases of sexual abuse, there is a good chance we can recover damages for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Represent You in Court
We will file a civil suit against the church in court. We will prove the damages you suffered and fight for the award you deserve. While money will not heal your emotional suffering, public charges force the church to be accountable.
Negotiate a Settlement
If you are nervous about a court case, there is a chance it never gets that far. The church may be eager to settle out of court, and we won’t let them off the hook easily. We’ll negotiate for the compensation you deserve after everything you or your child have been through.
How Much is a Church Sexual Abuse Case Worth in Georgia?
The award or settlement you may receive because of the abuse you have suffered will depend on a range of factors, and it is impossible to estimate without a thorough review of your case.
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers can assess your damages and arrive at a number that reflects the heartache you’ve endured. This may include:
Economic Damages
Your economic damages have specific costs associated with them. In cases of sexual abuse, this may include the cost of:
- Medical appointments
- Therapy sessions
- Medications
Our Seventh-day Adventist church sexual abuse attorneys in Atlanta can look at your expenses and determine whether or not they can be included in your damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Often, the hardships suffered by victims of sexual abuse are unseen. These are the emotional, social, and psychological damages you have endured because of your abuser, and they are every bit as real as physical injuries or financial damages.
Your Atlanta Seventh-day Adventist church sexual abuse attorney will fight to show the non-economic damages you have the right to claim due to the ordeal you’ve been through. This could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
It is important to be honest with your attorney and explain as best you can how the abuse has impacted your life. This will help us understand the amount of the award we can work toward.
Punitive Damages
If your case goes to court, you may be able to receive punitive damages for your suffering. Punitive damages are awarded in extreme cases, and they are intended to punish the defendant and dissuade them and others from behaving similarly in the future.
Punitive damages are rare, but in cases such as sexual abuse they may be more likely. The potential for a massive punitive judgement may also encourage the church to settle out of court.
Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse in Atlanta
Sometimes, survivors of sexual abuse don’t tell other people while they are enduring it. This is especially true of children who may be confused and frightened by what is happening to them. In Georgia, the door remains open for those victims to file charges when they become adults.
Survivors of childhood sex abuse have until they turn 23 to file civil charges against the church and their abusers. For adult survivors, the statute of limitations is two years. However, there can be exceptions to these limitations in some cases.
One reason to hire a Seventh-day Adventist church sexual abuse lawyer in Atlanta is to ensure that you understand and adhere to these deadlines and don’t miss your opportunity to file a case.
Atlanta Roots, Nationwide Reach.
Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
Contact an Atlanta Seventh-day Adventist Church Sexual Abuse Attorney
We put our trust in the religious community to guide and protect us, but sometimes that trust is violated in the worst imaginable ways. If you or someone you care about has been a victim of sexual abuse, it can be hard to know what to do next.
You may not feel strong enough to face your abuser. Let us be your strength. Our Atlanta Seventh-day Adventist church sexual abuse attorneys are ready to fight for you and hold people accountable for what they did.
At John Foy & Associates, we have been advocating for victims since 1999. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.
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