The year long look-back window, part of New York’s Child Victims Act, is halfway over, and nearly 40 lawsuits have been filed against Diocese of Syracuse priests and other clergy members. Statewide there have been 1,500 cases filed, according to Syracuse.com.

Look-Back Window Reaches Halfway Mark

When the New York Legislature passed the Child Victims Act in January 2019, it included a one-year look-back window for victims whose cases had expired under the state’s previous statute of limitations for sexual assault cases. The look-back window opened on Aug. 14, 2019, and as of Feb. 14, 2020, approximately 40 plaintiffs had filed suit against Diocese of Syracuse priests and employees.

All but seven of the priests named in the suits are deceased, the newspaper reports, and eight priests account for two-thirds of the total number of cases against the Diocese of Syracuse. The Catholic Church had previously acknowledged all but one of the priests as having been credibly accused. In addition to Diocese of Syracuse priests, a group home worker and a janitor are also named as defendants.

Half of those who filed lawsuits under the look-back window did so using their own names, while the remainder used initials or Jane or John Doe to preserve their anonymity. Most of the abuse allegations are decades old, with the oldest claim dating to 1953. The average age of the alleged victims when the abuse began is 11.

Victims May Have Multiple Avenues to Pursue Compensation

In addition to settlements expected to be paid to victims of Diocese of Syracuse priests, the diocese has already paid millions to others who applied for compensation through the church’s independent victim compensation program. In May 2019, the Diocese of Syracuse paid $11 million to nearly 80 victims. Those who accept settlement offers through the program are required to sign away their right to sue the diocese in the future. While accepting a settlement offer through a victims compensation program may spare victims from a lengthy or painful trial, these sums are often much lower than what victims may be able to recover in a lawsuit.

Victims previously prohibited from filing lawsuits against the Catholic Church or individual priests due to the length of time that had passed since the abuse occurred now have until August to file claims under the look-back window. Additionally, the Child Victims Act extended statutes of limitations for abuse victims, giving them until age 28 to seek criminal prosecution, and until age 55 to bring a civil suit.

If you or a loved one was abused as a child by Diocese of Syracuse priests or other affiliates of the church, you may qualify to hire an attorney and pursue litigation against the Catholic Church. Victims may be able to recover financial compensation for their pain and suffering.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a new bill into law in February that gives victims of sexual abuse by New York Catholic Church clergy additional time to sue the church for monetary damages.

Victims also now have a one-year look back window to file lawsuits if they were previously denied the ability to sue because the previous statute of limitations has passed.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.