Clergy Sexual Abuse

At Fotopoulos Law Office, we are horrified by the stories that have come out in recent years about the sexual abuse of children by priests, brothers, and lay people in positions of authority in the Roman Catholic Church. For many decades, child sexual abuse by members of the clergy has been allowed to continue virtually unchecked. Many credible reports indicate that church officials denied allegations and discredited victims while taking steps to protect priests and other abusers.

The compassionate team at our firm stands united with victims of sexual abuse, regardless of their faith. We help victims and their families hold individual abusers and complicit institutions accountable for the damage they have caused. If you or a member of your family has been sexually abused by a priest or another member of the clergy, we are prepared to help you seek justice.

Statutes of limitation and statutes of repose have historically made it difficult for those who had been sexually abused as children to seek compensation as adults. In the last few years, however, many of the applicable laws have been changed to allow adult victims to pursue compensations for injuries caused by sexual abuse when they were children. Unfortunately, the refusal by church officials to acknowledge the existence of such problems can make recovering damages difficult.

Attorney John S. Fotopoulos is a skilled personal injury attorney with more than 18 years of legal experience. He has also served as a judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County. He and his team realize the obstacles that victims of sexual abuse face. We understand how severe the emotional damage can be from not only the abuse itself but also from years of being ignored and disbelieved. Our compassionate team is committed to uncovering the truth, no matter how terrible that truth may be. From there, we will work hard on behalf of victims to help them heal and move forward with their lives.

Sex abusers must be held accountable for their actions, both criminally and financially. While criminal prosecution may not always be feasible, our firm can help you explore your options regarding civil action. We pledge to do everything we can to hold your abuser responsible while offering support, compassion, and guidance for you at every stage of the process.

At our firm, we represent victims of sexual abuse from all faiths, not just victims of the recent scandal in the Catholic Church. We are equipped to seek compensation for abuse perpetrated by:

• Priests;
• Nuns;
• Music directors;
• Youth leaders;
• Pastors;
• Rabbis;
• Imams;
• Bishops;
• Deacons; and
• Volunteers.

We will also work hard to hold churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious organizations liable for allowing such abuse to continue.

If you or a member of your family has suffered sexual abuse by a priest or member of the clergy, our firm is ready to help. Contact our office by calling 708-942-8400 and schedule a free, confidential consultation today. We serve clients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Alsip, Oak Forest, Joliet, Mokena, Homer Glen, Will County, and Cook County.