WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A TEACHER OR SCHOOL STAFF IN FLORIDA?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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FLORIDA CATHOLIC SCHOOL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting for Survivors of Student Sexual Abuse at Florida Catholic Schools
Florida Catholic School sexual abuse lawsuits involve allegations that clergy and staff allegedly abused students and that officials failed to act.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that students at Catholic schools across Florida were sexually abused by clergy, teachers, and staff members.
Catholic schools across Florida, including institutions in Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Coral Springs, have been linked to allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy, teachers, and staff. Reported claims span multiple decades and include accusations of repeated abuse of students, incidents occurring both on campus and during school-related activities, and concerns that church officials and administrators failed to report allegations or took inadequate steps to prevent further harm.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Sexual Abuse at Florida Catholic Schools
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse within Florida schools, include the following:
Jesuit High School
- In June 2025, the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province updated the list of clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse first released in December 2018, which identified several individuals affiliated with Jesuit High School in Florida, including:
- Peter J. Callery
- Thomas J. Hidding
- Thomas J. Naughton
- Vincent A. Orlando
- Claude P. Boudreaux
- Edward D. DeRussy
- Francis M. Landwermeyer
- Norman J. Rogge
St. John Vianney Catholic School
- In March 2026, a former student of St. John Vianney Catholic School in Florida met with the Diocese of Orlando to discuss allegations that he was repeatedly sexually abused by Fr. Stephen McNicholas, starting in 1977 when he was 7 years old.
McNicholas was named in the 2021 list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse.
Father Lopez Catholic High School
- In March 2024, Noah Matthews Cabiac, a former teacher at Father Lopez Catholic High School in Florida, surrendered to authorities in connection to a reported sexual offense in May 2023 involving a former student.
- In August 2018, a priest who previously served at Father Lopez Catholic High School in 2008 was removed from his duties following child sexual abuse allegations.
Bishop Kenny High School
- In December 2020, the Diocese of St. Augustine announced that Fr. David Terrence Morgan was being investigated for several allegations, including having a sexual relationship with a student in 1977 at Bishop Kenny High School in Florida where he served as a religion teacher.
- In May 2019, the Diocese of St. Augustine received a complaint of child sexual abuse against Fr. John H. Dux.
Dux served as a religion teacher at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville in 1973-1974.
- In February 2008, a lawsuit was filed against the Diocese of St. Augustine on behalf of a former student who was allegedly repeatedly sexually abused at Bishop Kenny High School in Florida in 1954 by Rev. William Weinheimer.
Weinheimer served as a superintendent at Bishop Kenny High School.
The diocese allegedly covered up the abuse.
St. Andrews Catholic School
- In June 2013, a lawsuit was filed against the Archdiocese of Miami alleging that a student at St. Andrew Catholic School in Florida was repeatedly raped between 2006 and 2010 by music teacher Miguel Cala.
Fr. George Puthusseril, the head of the school, allegedly witnessed the abuse, failed to report it, and instructed the child to not tell his parents.
The lawsuit further alleged that school administrators ignored warnings and Cala’s history of abuse.
In October 2010, the mother of a former student who was allegedly sexually abused by Cala filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Miami.
Cala was charged and arrested in September 2010 for allegedly abusing another victim from Florida during a private music tutorial.
St. John Paul II Academy (formerly known as Pope John Paul II High School)
- In June 2006, it was reported that, following allegations he sexually abused one of the minor female basketball players he coached for two years, Brian Joseph Taylor, the athletic director of the school then known as Pope John Paul II High School, resigned. The alleged victim reportedly told Boca Raton police detectives she and Taylor had begun a sexual affair in 2002, when she was a 16-year-old junior and a member of the girls varsity basketball team coached by Taylor. The sexual abuse reportedly continued until she graduated in 2004. Boca Raton police records also state that two other female students allegedly were abused by Taylor. Pope John Paul II High School has since changed its name to Saint John Paul II Academy.
LK is Investigating Sexual Abuse Claims in Catholic Schools in Florida
Levy Konigsberg is investigating cases of sexual abuse and assault that occurred at Catholic Schools in Florida.
You may have a potential claim if you were sexually abused in these or any other Catholic Schools in Florida:
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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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
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
Florida School Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations sets deadlines for victims to bring claims against their abuser or entities responsible for the abuse.
Under Florida law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse who were abused when they were under age 16 and were born after July 1, 1988 may file a civil lawsuit at any time, in most circumstances.
To understand the statute of limitations for your case, it’s essential to consult with an experienced lawyer. At Levy Konigsberg, our attorneys specialize in handling sexual abuse cases. We can assess the merits of your potential case and determine how the Florida statute of limitations specifically applies to the facts of your case.
If you or a loved one suffered abuse at a Florida Catholic school, our experienced attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.
Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your sexual abuse case against a Florida 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.