Compensation program opened for California Roman Catholic sex abuse allegations

In the last several years, the Catholic church has increasingly had to reckon with accusations of decades’ worth of sexual assault and abuse committed by priests and other church leaders within its ranks, all across the country.

This was in large part prompted by a groundbreaking report published by a Pennsylvania grand jury back in August 2018, which revealed the names of more than 300 priests accused of sexual abuse against more than 1,000 children under their care.

The grand jury report has caused a wave of reactions across the country. In the wake of the report, Catholic dioceses all across the country have begun opening investigations, compensation programs, and even releasing lists of priests credibly accused of abuse.

The Roman Catholic diocese in San Diego announced in mid-2019 that those who were abused as children by priests in the diocese could submit Catholic sex abuse allegations to an independent compensation program. Other dioceses in California participating in the program included the Fresno, Orange, and Sacramento, as well as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Payouts from these kinds of independent compensation programs have reached as much as $500,000 and are typically in that six-figure range, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Catholic sex abuse compensation program was designed by Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, who have previously worked on other compensation programs, such as Feinberg’s work on the September 11 victims compensation fund.

“These programs are generally well received by the victims,” Biros told the San Diego Union-Tribune of the various compensation programs that have been opened because of the Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal. “It’s not so much the money for the victims as much as the acknowledgment that two independent administrators believe them.”

According to Biros, the process involved in the compensation program would be relatively quick — no more than 90 days.

“We will evaluate all the documentation and corroborating information we have for clients,” said Biros at the time. “We’ve discussed with the dioceses some of the settlement offers we believe are appropriate, but there’s no limitation and they’ve agreed to abide by our judgment.”

“No amount of money will provide closure to victims,” said Feinberg. “But the program is a small step in helping victims secure some degree of financial security. A claimant who for years, decades, may have been ignored, now has a program where that claim will be acknowledged and validated. Do not underestimate the importance of this.”

Victims were allowed to file claims with the compensation program regardless of when the abuse occurred, even if it took place decades ago, and whether or not they have previously notified the dioceses of their allegations. The compensation fund closed in early 2020, with an initial deadline of Jan. 31, 2020 to register with the program, and a deadline of March 31 to file for compensation.

By January 21, 2020, $3.94 million had reportedly been authorized to give to 39 victim-survivors.

Filing Roman Catholic sex abuse allegations

More and more victims of sexual abuse by a priest are coming forward with their claims, alleging that they were abused by church leaders as children. In some cases, victims also allege that the abuse was covered up by other church leaders for decades.

If you are a victim of Catholic sex abuse in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, or California — even if that abuse occurred years or even decades ago — you may be eligible to file Roman Catholic sex abuse allegations.

Many states have recently expanded their statutes of limitations to allow more time for survivors to come forward with sex abuse allegations. Some have opened look back windows allowing survivors to file litigation no matter how long ago their abuse took place.

The California Child Victims Act was passed in 2019, and gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until age 40 to pursue litigation. It also created a look back window for past abuse that falls outside of the statute of limitations, with a Dec. 31, 2022 deadline — less than three months away.

Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation or the settlement fund, and maximize your potential compensation. While filing a lawsuit can never take away the pain and suffering caused by abuse and trauma, it can at least help by providing monetary compensation, as well as hold those responsible for their actions and inactions.

Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation or the settlement fund, and maximize your potential compensation. While filing a lawsuit can never take away the pain and suffering caused by abuse and trauma, it can at least help by providing monetary compensation, as well as hold those responsible for their actions and inactions.