Mormon Church Sex Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys
Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
In recent years, many people have come forward to accuse clergy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also called the Mormon Church, of sexual abuse. If you were sexually abused by the Mormon Church, too, you can come to Matthews & Associates for legal counsel and representation that balances professionalism, compassion, and practice experience. We are a trauma-informed legal team that knows just how much courage it takes to speak up against a religious institution as powerful as the Mormon Church, so we will know how to develop your case in a way that respects what you’re going through. With a successful lawsuit, you may be able to hold the Mormon Church responsible for its egregious negligence and wrongdoing, as well as find a way to start putting the abuse behind you.
We represent sexual abuse survivors nationwide. Call (888) 923-7001 now to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.
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How Much Time Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
The first thing you should know about filing a lawsuit against the Mormon Church is that you might have the opportunity to do so even if you were sexually abused many years ago. Depending on where you live or where the sexual abuse occurred, an extensive or special statute of limitations could apply to your case. In many states, people who were sexually abused as children by people in trusted positions of authority, like clergy members or priests, can take legal action years later when they are adults.
Don’t assume that you can’t file a lawsuit against LDS because the sexual abuse happened many years ago when you were a child or teenager. Know the extent of your rights and legal options as a sexual abuse survivor by talking with our attorneys today.
The statute of limitations on your case could be influenced by:
- Where (state) the sexual abuse occurred
- Your age when you were sexually abused
- Any particular “date of discovery” laws that may apply
- Future legislative changes that might affect the statute of limitations
History of Mormon Church Sexual Abuse
Although allegations against the Mormon Church for enabling or harboring sexual offenders who molested, sexually assaulted, or otherwise sexually abused children and churchgoers have picked up in recent years, the situation is not technically “recent.” Based on complaints brought forth by many sexual abuse survivors, LDS bishops and clergy members have been carrying out various sex crimes within the physical and legal boundaries of the church for decades. For this reason, police investigators and sexual abuse attorneys like ours expect there to be dozens, hundreds, or thousands of potential sexual abuse survivors with stories to tell now that more people are speaking up.
Some of the more prominent news stories of LDS sexual abuse in recent years are:
- Rhett Hintze accused of hiding child sexual abuse: As reported by ABC 27 WHTM in early 2024, lobbyist and stake president of seven LDS churches around Pennsylvania Rhett Hintze was arrested and charged for failing to notify law enforcement about multiple credible reports of child sexual abuse happening within the Mormon Church.
- LDS spends lucratively to hide child sexual abuse: As reported by PBS News and other newsgroups in late 2023, financial and legal records throughout the Mormon Church show how it spent heavily to conceal reports of child sexual abuse, as well as to protect the accused from any meaningful justice.
- $2.3 billion lawsuit against LDS: As reported by Yahoo! News in early 2023, a woman who was sexually abused by her stepfather successfully sued the Mormon Church and other defendants for $2.3 billion, which was seen as a symbolic award that will likely be greatly reduced. However, the lawsuit successfully convinced the jury that LDS knew about the abuse carried out by her stepfather yet did nothing to intervene.
- Former Utah mayor arrested on sexual abuse charges: As reported by PBS News Hour in late 2022, Carl Matthew Johnson, a former West Bountiful mayor and LDS bishop, was arrested on child sexual abuse accusations involving acts that allegedly occurred decades ago, with one victim being only two-years-old.
- Oregon man sues LDS: As reported by OPB newsgroup and the Associated Press in early 2021, an Oregon man filed a lawsuit against the Mormon Church for acts of sexual abuse carried out by a member of the church when he was a child. He demanded $5.5 million in various damages, citing that he struggled with depression and suicidal ideation for much of his life due to the sexual violence.
Hearing such stories can be understandably disturbing. However, it is important to realize that stories and lawsuits like those mentioned above show that you are not alone. We hope that knowing that many others are standing up for their rights might encourage you to do the same.
Why is LDS Liable for Sexual Abuse?
In the majority of cases, plaintiffs have alleged that the Mormon Church enabled, encouraged, or harbored sexual offenders who sexually abused them as children or teenagers. In many of those same cases, evidence exists that suggests LDS intentionally overlooked or hid reports of child sexual abuse happening within its religious institution. For these reasons, LDS as a whole has been accused of inexcusable negligence and intentional wrongdoing, which can make it liable for the criminal acts of its clergy members under the law.
Damages in a Mormon Church Sex Abuse Lawsuit
No amount of money can ever undo the pain and trauma you have endured as someone who was sexually abused by a member of the Mormon Church. However, financial damages can help you find stability and possibly get access to treatments that may allow you to start putting some of the trauma behind you.
Based on the details of your unique case, we may be able to sue LDS for damages related to:
- Past and future medical expenses, including therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Lost income (related to social anxiety or other mental health issues)
Importantly, your LDS sexual abuse lawsuit could also be what encourages someone else to speak up and demand justice. The more people who find their voices with our help, the more pressure we can put on the Mormon Church to update its policies and do more to protect its young parishioners from abuse.
See If You Have a Case – Call Now
The laws surrounding child sexual abuse lawsuits can get complicated, especially when the abuse happened years ago, like in many accusations against the Mormon Church. If you were sexually abused by an LDS clergy member or anyone else enabled or employed by LDS, see if you still have legal grounds to file a lawsuit and demand justice. Our attorneys are here to amplify your voice and represent you from start to finish, so you’ll always feel supported by a real team of legal professionals who genuinely care about your recovery and well-being.
Nationwide representation. Individual attention. See the Matthews & Associates difference today. Call (888) 923-7001 for a free, confidential case review.
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David P. Matthews Attorney"When the judge read the verdict in Martha Salazar’s case ($73 Million), and we learned the jury ordered [the medical device maker] to pay Martha, (we) knew they believed every word she said. We realized they knew the defendant was truly guilty."
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Offices in California & Texas
PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND GUIDANCE NATIONWIDE
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Firm Roots
David P. Matthews founded our firm after 16 years as a partner at a prominent Houston law firm.
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ExperienceWe have longstanding experience of representing injured people in serious auto and truck accident claims, workplace injuries, aviation accident claims, dialysis injury claims, and a broad array of medical device claims, from transvaginal mesh to hip replacement surgery injury claims.
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Nationwide RepresentationIn dangerous pharmaceutical drug cases, medical device cases, and several others including FELA lawsuits, and many more, we also represent clients on a nationwide basis.
