Our law firm is representing survivors of sexual abuse, including victims of clergy abuse, who wish to file lawsuits. If you were sexually abused by a trusted elder, contact our law firm for a free, confidential case consultation regarding a potential civil lawsuit.

New Jersey Law Change gives Sex Abuse Victims Time

The New Jersey state legislature passed a bill in May 2019 which eases the previous time limit set on the filing of sex abuse lawsuits against the Catholic church and other organizations. NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill, which takes effect December 1, 2019. The new bill states that it will “revive any action that was previously dismissed on grounds that the applicable statute of limitations had expired for a period of two years following the effective date.”

Dec. 1, 2021 Deadline to File a Claim

The new bill means means a sex abuse survivor now has from December 1, 2019 until December 1, 2021 to file a case that was previously time barred.
Related: NJ.com: Bill extends sex abuse limitations statute
“I cannot deny victims the ability to seek redress in court for sexual abuse that often leaves trauma lasting a lifetime,” said Governor Murphy as he signed the new bill.

Victims under Age 55 May File

The legislation allows victims to sue the church until they reach age 55, or else within seven years of their first realization that the abuse caused them harm. The current statute of limitations protects only those up to age 20, or else two years after they first realized the abuse caused harm.

Catholic Churches, BSA, Others Liable

While the Catholic Church has been a focal point of debate on the legislation, it would also make other institutions – such as the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) – liable for sex crimes against minors. In addition to clergy abuse lawsuits, our New Jersey attorneys are also handling sexual abuse lawsuits against the BSA.

188 New Jersey Priests Credibly Accused

The New Jersey law change occurred after the state’s five Catholic dioceses released the names of 188 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. The change also came after the February 2019 creation of a victims’ compensation fund.

New Jersey’s attorney general launched a task force in September 2018 to investigate the clergy abuse scandal. The country’s attention re-focused on the unspeakable problem of clergy sex abuse after a two-year grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania revealed at least 300 priests had abused more than 1,000 children over several decades.

New Rights for Survivors: The New Jersey Victims’ Rights Bill

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Victims’ Rights Bill into law on May 13, 2019. Please see how it reforms the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse survivors in New Jersey. (Victims’ Rights Bill)

Report: Sexual Abuse in New Jersey

A report by one law firm includes the names of diocesan priests, religious order priests, deacons, nuns, and religious brothers and sisters associated with Catholic Dioceses in the State of New Jersey. The report includes those accused of sexual misconduct who were assigned, working, or living within these areas:

• Archdiocese of Newark
• Dioceses of Trenton
• Dioceses of Camden
• Diocese of Paterson
• Diocese of Metuchen

The report says the information is derived from publicly available sources, survivors’ lawsuits against the dioceses and religious orders responsible for the alleged offenders, legal settlements resulting from sexual abuse claims. The report also cautions that anyone named should be considered innocent until proven guilty. Download the report.

We are here to help.

We encourage all survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy, Boy Scout leaders, teachers, coaches or other authority figures to consult with an attorney or other legal counsel before making a claim. Our law firm can help survivors navigate the arcane legal world they can face when deciding to pursue a claim.

Free Legal Case Consultation

Our sexual abuse attorneys are standing by to help those who were sexually abused in New Jersey. Email us today for a free confidential case consultation regarding a potential lawsuit or call us at now at toll free at (866) 327-2952.

RELATED

• NJ Lawmakers Pass Bill to Extend Statute of Limitations for Sex Abuse
• NJ Extends Statute Limitations, Allows Sex Abuse Victims Much More Time to Sue