LA SALLE INSTITUTE SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors of Student Sexual Abuse at La Salle Institute in New York 

Survivors of abuse at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, deserve justice and the chance to rewrite a broken system. The allegations of a student betrayed by those entrusted to protect him, referred to a predator for tutoring and silenced by those in power, reveals the urgent need for change. 

If you’ve endured abuse, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Our dedicated team ensures your courage becomes the catalyst for justice and systemic reform. 

Sexual Abuse in La Salle Institute 

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, within La Salle Institute include the following: 

• In September 2014, a former student of the La Salle Institute in Troy came forward to report that he was sexually abused by his teacher at the school more than two decades ago. The abuse allegedly began after the then-principal of La Salle, Brother James Romond, referred him to the teacher for tutoring so he could pass a Regents test.  The victim alleged the sessions were to take place every Saturday morning at the teacher’s apartment, but that it only involved abuse. The victim further alleged he reported the abuse to then-Bishop Howard Hubbard but was not helped.  The victim also alleged that the chaplain, the Rev. Salvatore “Sam” Rodino, deterred him from divulging the abuse because it would be stress on the victim’s father, an ordained deacon.  The school identified the teacher as Norman E. Rioux, a former Spanish teacher at the school.  Rioux reportedly was hired at the school despite being convicted of federal charges in U.S. District Court for a check-cashing scheme that La Salle officials now say they did not know about.

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

New York 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. New York has pioneered efforts to make it easier for sexual abuse survivors to seek justice and compensation.

In 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, expanding the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under current law: (1) survivors of childhood sexual abuse at private schools, who were born after February 14, 1998, have until age 55 to file civil lawsuits; and (2) survivors of childhood sexual abuse at public schools, who were born after November 15, 1999, have until age 55 to file civil lawsuits.

Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse in New York schools.

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.