Six brothers now in their 40s and 50s are suing a Catholic diocese in California over sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of a priest years ago in what may turn into a landmark child abuse lawsuit.
According to the Legal Intelligencer (subscription required) the brothers brought their request to the California Supreme Court. The brothers have filed an abuse lawsuit against the diocese that they say allegedly knew that the priest, Donald Broderson, had molested children in the past. While the molestations occurred in the 1970s, the brothers were only able to link the incidents to ongoing distress in 2006.
While abuse cases such as this are usually limited by a statute of limitations, California law allows for adults who have connected psychological problems to events childhood events to pursue a lawsuit in some cases.
California laws have also expanded the statute of limitations for child abuse lawsuits many times in recent years.
Broderson was forced to retire amid other abuse allegations in 1993. He died in 2010. Since 2006, various Catholic dioceses and religious orders in California have paid more than $1.1 billion to settle child sex abuse lawsuits.
If you or a loved one have been harmed by an abusive situation, there may be legal grounds for a lawsuit. Speak to Sokolove Law today to learn more about any legal options that may be available.