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Lousiana CHILD SEX ABUSE
HOLD ABUSERS ACCOUNTABLE AND SAY “No More” TO CHILD SEX ABUSE
Louisiana recently made massive strides to help victims of sexual abuse get the justice they deserve. In 2021, state officials in Baton Rouge voted to remove the statute of limitations on civil cases of child sexual abuse AND opened a three-year “lookback window.” This “lookbook window” means sexual abuse victims in the Bayou state may have a second chance to hold their abusers accountable for their crimes in court. Louisiana’s sexual abuse “lookback window” opens soon. Reach out to our team of advocates today to start your steps towards justice for your childhood sexual abuse.
TALK TO US TODAY, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, AND SAY “NO MORE” TO SEXUAL ABUSE
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Louisiana Removes Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse
ATTENTION Louisiana SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS:
On June 14, 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana signed a bill that completely removed the statute of limitations on filing civil lawsuits for childhood sexual abuse. Previously, Louisiana sexual abuse survivors only had until the age of 28 to file a claim against their abusers, like Scoutmasters in the Boy Scouts of America or priests in the Catholic Church. Now, that limit is gone and survivors can file lawsuits at any age, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Also, the new law opened a three-year “lookback window” for victims of child sexual abuse. During this window, Louisiana sexual abuse claims that were deemed ineligible or expired under old statute of limitations can be revived. This means past Louisiana sexual abuse victims may receive a second chance to pursue justice against their abusers in the civil court system.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?
IF YOU SURVIVED SEXUAL ABUSE IN Louisiana, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Louisiana opened a “lookback window” that completely removes the time limits on filing civil claims for sexual abuse for three years.
Your options to seek justice for sexual abuse have increased.
Louisiana completely removed the time limits for filing new claims of child sexual abuse. This means you can prosecute your abuser at any time for sexual abuse crimes committed against you.
Cases that were deemed ineligible or expired under the previous Louisiana statute of limitations can be brought forward during this three-year period.
This law goes into effect on August 1, 2021.
ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY
ATTENTION LOUISIANA SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS:
On April 30, 2020 the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to mounting sexual abuse lawsuits against them. “The move was necessitated by the growing financial strain caused by litigation stemming from decades-old incidents of clergy abuse as well as ongoing budget challenges,” the church released in a statement. The archdiocese spans eight civil parishes, so you or loved ones could be impacted by the archdiocese’s bankruptcy. Parishes impacted include Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, Plaquemines, St Tammany, St. John the Baptist, and Washington.
The diocese, which serves nearly 500,000 individuals in Louisiana, faces a number of claims filed by men and women claiming they were molested by “predator priests” in the diocese. Survivors claim their abusers in the Church were never brought to justice and that the diocese knowingly covered up reports of sexual abuse in the Church.
This Chapter 11 bankruptcy brings all pending lawsuits against the diocese to a halt, including depositions of Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who oversees the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and other Archdiocese officials.
Basically, the bankruptcy protects Aymond and fellow officials from being required to testify that he and his predecessors in the Church enabled and covered up reports of child abuse. Through these bankruptcy proceedings, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is trying to escape liability to sexual abuse victims by preventing clergy abuse victims from having their day in court.
LOUISIANA CATHOLIC CHURCH:
FIGHTING AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS
The Archdiocese of New Orleans claims to support sexual abuse victims, but their actions show otherwise. In 2018 the Archdiocese of New Orleans not only released an incomplete list of pedophile clergy, but since then has vigorously fought back against survivors who brought forward claims against them in court. Now, the Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy to cover their tracks and ensure hundreds of clergy abuse victims cannot pursue justice against their abusers in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
The 227-year-old diocese follows in the footsteps of dozens of other dioceses and catholic officials across the country by choosing to declare bankruptcy instead of allowing clergy sexual abuse survivors to have their day in court.
THEIR SELFISH DECISION MAY LIMIT YOUR CHANCE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR YOUR ABUSE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH; CONTACT US TODAY TO SEE IF YOU MAY STILL BE ELIGIBLE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR YOUR ABUSE.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?
IF YOU SURVIVED SEXUAL ABUSE BY A CLERGY MEMBER AFFILIATED WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Filing a claim for abuse now is crucial to ensure you have your chance for justice.
- As part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, the Bankruptcy Court will soon put a deadline on filing sexual abuse lawsuits against the diocese. Any claims filed after this deadline will be barred and may never get a second chance to hold the archdiocese accountable for failing to protect children from predator priests.
- Currently, in Louisiana you can file a sexual abuse lawsuit until you are 28 years old.
- However, experts anticipate the state will soon open a look back window that will completely remove the statute of limitations for filing sexual abuse cases for a specific period of time.
Louisiana: SAY “No More” TO SEXUAL ABUSE
INSTITUTIONS THAT HID PREDATORS’ ACTIONS CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ABUSE
No More Abuse USA is a team of attorneys that aims to be a voice for change for victims of sexual abuse. Our mission starts with you getting justice for your abuse. We advocate for sexual abuse victims across America and fight for their rights in and out of the courtroom. Whether it’s tackling legal giants in the courtroom or settling matters individually with your abuser, we take your case seriously and to heart. So you can focus on healing from your abuse, our legal professionals handle the paperwork and negotiations; your wellbeing is important to us. If you want to start taking steps to recovery from your past sexual abuse, contact us today. You have legal rights that deserve to be protected, and we can help you reach justice.
GET PERSONAL CARE ON YOUR CASE
GET COUNSEL FROM TRUSTED LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
GET COMPENSATION FOR FINANCIAL BURDENS CAUSED BY SEXUAL ABUSE
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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
At No More Abuse USA, our mission is to be your advocate in your time of need and be a voice for change nationwide. If you survived sexual abuse in Louisiana, you’re not alone or without options for help. Talk with us today to learn more about your options for action and recovery.
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We provide a team of attorney, paralegals, and case managers to clients at no upfront cost.
AVA Law Group eliminates the confusion of filing a claim by working on your claim and, if necessary, connecting you with one our many partner firms that fits your needs and will get you the best results.
We’re available 24/7 to provide you with the information you need about case qualification.