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GEORGIA SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Representing Survivors of Child & Adult Sexual Abuse
If you or someone you love were sexually abused in Georgia, you may have grounds to pursue a civil lawsuit against your abuser and/or the entity that failed to prevent the abuse.
In Georgia, state law gives sexual abuse survivors an opportunity to file lawsuits that can help them obtain the justice and financial compensation they deserve. At Levy Konigsberg, our award-winning trial team has extensive experience litigating sexual abuse lawsuits against individuals and institutions across the country and is available to discuss how we can help you.
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Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Georgia’s Catholic Dioceses
As in other states, Georgia’s Roman Catholic dioceses (which includes the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah) have come under scrutiny for engaging in a systemic coverup that enabled a decades-long culture of child sexual abuse.
Evidence of this rampant sexual abuse and the Church’s failings have been revealed through years of civil lawsuits filed by survivors, high-profile payouts, and several noteworthy investigations.
This includes a report released by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia in March 2023 that listed 70 priests, deacons, and church members who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah.
While the report detailed widespread abuse and the Church’s efforts to cover it up, investigators have stated that the true number of abusive priests is likely much higher. A total of 53 credibly accused clergy members, most of whom are deceased, were named in the report. Prior to the report, the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah named dozens of priests accused of child sexual abuse.
In addition to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council report, several high-profile lawsuits and payouts have helped highlight the scope of sexual abuse within Georgia Catholic Churches. Some examples include:
- In September 2020, a civil lawsuit filed against the Diocese of Savannah became the third lawsuit to involve claims against convicted child molester Wayland Brown, who served as a priest in the late 1970s through the 1980s, and worked at St. James Catholic School in Savannah. The lawsuit included a transcript from a 1986 meeting of Church leaders who had learned of allegations against Brown and a pending police investigation. Rather than reporting Brown to authorities, the Church sent Brown to a camp in Maryland. He returned to Savannah less than a year later.
- In July 2016, the Diocese of Savannah reached a $4.5 million settlement with a man who was sexually abused by Wayland Y. Brown in the late 1980s. At the time, the settlement was believed to be the third largest in the country for a single survivor.
- In October 2009, the Diocese of Savannah reached a $4.24 million settlement with a man who was sexually abused by Wayland Y. Brown from 1978 to 1983 while he was a student at St. James Catholic School. The suit claimed that Church leadership knew Brown was a danger to children but failed to act. Brown was convicted of abusing two boys in Maryland in 2003 and served five years in prison and was later convicted in 2018 of sexual crimes against children, including St. James students. Brown died in 2019 while serving a 20-year sentence.
- In December 2003, the Archdiocese of Atlanta reached a $10 million settlement with the parents of two teen boys who were sexually abused by Kenneth Joseph Cassity, a pastoral aide at St. Ann Catholic Church in east Cobb County, between July 1999 and December 2000. Cassity pleased guilty to two counts of child molestation in 2003 and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Given the findings illuminated in the report and litigation against the Church, numerous survivors across Georgia are stepping forward to pursue sexual abuse lawsuits against the Dioceses that failed to protect them. You may have a claim if:
- You were abused by a priest, brother, volunteer, or other member of the Catholic Church.
- The abuse took place in either of Georgia’s Roman Catholic Dioceses (the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah).
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.
Georgia Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. Knowing the statute of limitations in your case is important, because when it expires you will not be able to file a claim or recover compensation.
There are many factors that can affect the statute of limitations for individual plaintiffs, which is why the best way to determine the legal deadline in your case is to have it reviewed personally by a lawyer.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims are generally as follows:
- Child Sexual Abuse Claims. In Georgia, survivors of child sexual abuse have until the age of 23 to file civil claims against abusers and institutions responsible for their abuse. For abuse that occurred on or after July 1, 2015, claims may be filed within a two-year discovery window, which means two years from the date a survivor discovered the connection between their abuse and resulting damages (i.e. depression, PTSD, and other injuries).
- Adult Sexual Abuse Claims. Sexual abuse claims brought by survivors who were abused as adults are typically subject to the state’s two-year statutory window for personal injury claims. This means adult survivors must file claims within two years of the date they were last abused or assaulted.
Georgia has lagged other states in passing reforms that expand the statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors and provide meaningful opportunities to seek justice. As such, if you are a survivor with a potential claim, it is critically important to take timely action and speak with an attorney about your legal options and the statute of limitations applicable to your case.
We Represent Survivors in All Types of Sex Abuse Claims
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.