Sexual abuse committed by trusted individuals tasked by the Church to provide foundational guidance to their parishioners is one of the most grievous offenses and abuses of power. The lives of victims impacted by these events are forever changed and often plagued by challenges that may have been avoided without the need for coping mechanisms to address the pain. Even with these acts by clergy being condemned by trustworthy sources, many survivors of clergy abuse often carry a sense of fault in what happened to them for the rest of their lives.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by a devastating act of clergy abuse in Bristol, seek the compassionate but relentless support of a Bristol sexual abuse lawyer. Our team provides an unwavering stance with clients who have suffered from the abuse of power by clergy in local churches. A Bristol personal injury lawyer at Aeton Law will fight for the repair and healing you need to move forward, taking control out of the hands of abusers and restoring personal power.
Statute of Limitation on Clergy Abuse in Connecticut
Most often, survivors of clergy abuse are minors of a young age when the sexual abuse occurs. For many reasons, these abusive acts are not revealed until much later in life. It is not uncommon for minors to lack the vocabulary to explain what has happened or the maturity to comprehend, so many survivors stay silent for the following reasons:
- They feel alone and often believe they are the only ones experiencing these acts.
- The fear of the stigma surrounding clergy abuse is profound.
- Many victims think they will not be believed.
- The clergy holds positions of power that families and communities revere.
- Male survivors of abuse struggle with the implications and emotional trauma of abuse by someone of the same sex.
Most personal injury actions in Connecticut have a two-year time limit to pursue a case against a negligent individual. As more information has been revealed over the last few decades about sexual abuse and the overwhelming effects of clergy abuse on victims, it became apparent that more time was needed for action. Individuals experiencing clergy abuse in Bristol have 30 years from the age of 21 to pursue legal action (§52-577d) against Bristol clergy with no limits on action against clergy who have previously been convicted (§52-577e) of first-degree or aggravated sexual assault in Connecticut in Connecticut.
How a Bristol Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help
Bristol clergy abuse cases are unique from other personal injury cases not only in the amount of time allowed to pursue damages but also in their sensitive nature. Talking with others who can corroborate incidents of abuse requires a unique ability and understanding of the impacts of these actions. A Connecticut sexual abuse lawyer advocates for clients who suffered clergy abuse and offers the support clients often need to better understand their case’s validity.
Preserving evidence to establish the strongest case possible is one of the critical roles a clergy abuse lawyer in Bristol will perform for clients. Independent investigations can help solidify the evidence in a case. Because of the wave of reactions throughout a community, Aeton Law provides the unbiased support that is needed in emotionally charged cases to fight for the fair compensation a clergy abuse survivor deserves.
A Bristol clergy abuse attorney can also provide options concerning civil actions if a clergy member is deceased and is accused of abuse. Because it often takes years for survivors to come forward with their stories, clergy members may no longer be alive to face the consequences of their actions. However, there may be steps you can take to recover compensation for their negligence.
Potential Compensation Available to Bristol Clergy Abuse Survivors
Clergy abuse survivors have endured unimaginable atrocities at the hands of the people they should be able to trust most. Because this abuse begins at such a young, impactful age, the abusive actions of a clergy member can change the course of someone’s life forever. Aeton Law has witnessed the shame and guilt that survivors live under and seeks to provide a way to address the injuries of abuse by demanding the following compensation for these damages:
- Any medical expenses resulting from physical and psychological trauma
- Medications used to treat physical or psychological injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of reputation
- Loss of consortium
Contact Aeton Law to discuss the maximum compensation that may be available for clergy abuse. In certain instances of clergy abuse, a clergy abuse attorney in Bristol may be able to secure punitive damages when a case goes to trial. Punitive damages serve as a form of punishment for the gross negligence that occurred and a deterrent for similar intentional misconduct.
Why Choose Aeton Law
With over 50 years of combined experience, the team at Aeton Law provides exceptional trial experience to their clients when a case cannot be settled out of court. While we strive to minimize the length it takes to secure compensation for our clients, we are respected in court and take on the challenges of presenting personal information effectively to a jury to benefit our clients. We also view each client as part of the team, understanding that ultimately, they are in charge of deciding on the best personal action for their case by providing the following services, offering a no-fee guarantee unless we secure compensation:
- Communicating developments in a case
- Keeping clients aware of court dates
- Providing progress reports
- Answering difficult questions openly and honestly
- Provide multiple avenues of contact when an attorney is detained in court
- Create a client portal allowing access to critical information for personal convenience
Aeton Law strives to reduce the stress and overwhelm involved in Bristol clergy abuse cases. You have suffered enough. We want to be part of the solution to the problem and provide every avenue of healing possible.
Work with a Compassionate Bristol Clergy Abuse Lawyer
Immediately experience compassionate representation when you work with a clergy abuse attorney in Bristol at Aeton Law. Our compassion and understanding of our client’s needs do not translate to dismissive behavior of those who have irreparably caused injury and suffering through the abuse of power. Schedule a free consultation to discuss an incident of Bristol clergy abuse, and let us demand the compensation you deserve for injuries that were not your fault.