WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A TEACHER OR SCHOOL STAFF IN PENNSYLVANIA?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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BISHOP GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting for Survivors of Student Sexual Abuse at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Pennsylvania
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits involve allegations that staff and clergy allegedly abused minors and covered up abuse.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that students at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Pennsylvania were allegedly sexually abused by staff and clergy.
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School is located in Pennsylvania and has been referenced in a statewide grand jury report examining abuse within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The report described allegations involving a former school official and clergy member who allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor during his time at the school. Additional findings referenced other clergy affiliated with the school and internal records suggesting that allegations of abuse may have been covered up.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Sex Abuse at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Pennsylvania
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:
- In March 2016, a grand jury report revealed that Father James F. Skupien, a former principal and assistant principal at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Pennsylvania, allegedly engaged in sexual abuse and misconduct.
Skupien allegedly sexually abused at least one minor.
One victim came forward in 2008 alleging that Skupien forced him to engage in oral sex between 1968 and 1971.
In 1981, Skupien was found half-dressed in a vehicle with an 18-year-old. “He allegedly had been soliciting the individual for sex.
A memo found in the secret archives of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese indicated that church authorities allegedly covered up the abuse.
- The 2016 grand jury report identified several priests who served at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, including:
- Fr. Elwood Figurelle
- Fr. Daniel F. O’Friel
- Fr. Gerard Ream
- Fr. William Rosensteel
- Fr. James F. Skupien
- In December 2022, an investigation was launched into Mark Powdermarker, former lay staff member and librarian at Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Pennsylvania who had worked at the school for several years. He had been allegedly communicating online about child rape and torture, which is alarming given his access to students at the school.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a teacher or staff at a school.
- The abuse occurred at any school.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold schools accountable for their failures to stop abusive teachers and staff.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Attorneys
In Pennsylvania, the current statute of limitations for civil sex abuse claims is the age of adulthood plus 37 years, which means that survivors sexually abused as minors typically have until the age of 55 to file legal action, as long as they were born after November 26, 1989.
As in other states across the country, Pennsylvania’s current statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims has been criticized for barring numerous survivors from seeking justice and compensation for their damages and for failing to recognize accepted research about the considerable difficulties survivors face when processing their abuse and taking steps to come forward. Thanks to new efforts by advocates and lawmakers, however, there are now several pending measures before the Pennsylvania Legislature that seek to expand the rights of child sex abuse survivors.
These groundbreaking measures, which are expected to pass, will create new opportunities for survivors to step forward and obtain long-overdue justice. If passed, these measures would create a temporary two-year window for child sexual abuse survivors to file claims over abuse that occurred at any time in the past.
Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your sexual abuse case against a Pennsylvania school or Pennsylvania Catholic school can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.
We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in schools. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.