Illinois clergy abuse attorneys cannot undo the psychological and physical effects endured by sexual abuse victims. They can, however, seek justice on behalf of the victims and hold clergy members accountable for their actions. The lawyers of Dolan Law Offices are sensitive to the needs of clergy sexual abuse victims and work tirelessly on their behalf to obtain a full and fair verdict or settlement.
In order to obtain a fair verdict or settlement, a Chicago clergy abuse attorney must present a personal injury case that will allow a sexual abuse victim to collect damages pursuant to Illinois law. Specifically, the attorney must prove that:
1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. A clergy member owes a duty of care to his parishioners and to any child who is in his care, whether it is for counseling, a religious service or religious education.
2. The defendant breached that duty of care to the plaintiff. If a clergy member breaks the law by engaging in sexual activity with a minor or otherwise assaulting a minor then the clergy member has likely breached his or her duty of care.
3. The defendant’s actions caused the plaintiff harm. The plaintiff will need to prove what harm he or she suffered as a result of the clergy member’s actions. The harm could be physical, psychological or a combination of both.
4. The plaintiff suffered and is entitled to damages. If the first three criteria are met then the plaintiff is entitled to damages.
Remember, minor children may not consent to sexual acts with an adult in the state of Illinois. The age of consent in Illinois is 17. Therefore, sexual acts between an adult and a minor under age 17 are presumed to be nonconsensual by law. Illinois law provides different penalties for perpetuators of sexual acts against minors depending on the age of the minor and the circumstances of the crime.
The pain and suffering that clergy abuse victims have suffered cannot be erased. Many victims have suffered in silence for decades with memories of their abuse. The clergy abuse lawyers of Illinois understand the psychological damage that can be done when a clergy member abuses a child. Parents and congregants are more aware of the possibility of abuse today than in the past and are actively trying to protect today’s youth. At the same time, they understand that they have a responsibility to past victims of abuse.
Illinois Clergy Abuse Attorneys
Dolan Law Offices represents victims who have been sexually abused by clergy members throughout Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area, including Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County, and the towns of Aurora, Addison, Chicago Heights, Joliet, Hillsdale, Plainfield, Rolling Meadows, Des Plains, Schaumburg, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Wheaton, Waukegan, Inverness, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Elgin, Bartlett, Itasca, Bloomingdale and Oak Park.
Please contact us today for a free consultation. The Chicago clergy abuse lawyers of Dolan Law Offices will not collect a fee from you unless your case results in a monetary verdict or settlement.
