WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A TEACHER OR SCHOOL STAFF IN NEW JERSEY?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
WHY WORK WITH LEVY LAW?
- Proven Record of Settlements
- No Fees Ever Unless You Win
- Fast & Free Case Review
- Consultation is 100% Confidential
PARAMUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting for Survivors of Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey
Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey faces dozens of lawsuits alleging students were sexually abused by staff and coaches over several decades.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating sexual abuse claims at Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey, involving multiple former staff members and coaches.
Paramus Catholic High School is a private Roman Catholic high school in Paramus, New Jersey, operated by the Archdiocese of Newark and the Christian Brothers. Multiple former students have filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually abused by staff members and coaches across several decades. The school, the Archdiocese of Newark, and the Christian Brothers have been named as defendants in the lawsuits, which allege the institutions knew about the abuse and failed to stop it.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Sexual Abuse at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:
- In March 2026, a lawsuit was filed against Paramus Catholic High School, the Archdiocese of Newark, and the Christian Brothers on behalf of a former student alleging he was sexually abused on numerous occasions by gym teacher Donn Ernst and hockey coach Bernard Garris.
The lawsuit alleged the defendants knew about the abuse but failed to stop it and covered-up abuse.
The lawsuit accused the defendants of negligence.
- In December 2025, a new lawsuit was filed against Paramus Catholic High School, the Archdiocese of Newark, and Christian Brothers on behalf of a former student. The lawsuit alleges the student was sexually abused in the mid-to-late 1980s by Bernard Garris, former hockey coach, and Donn Ernst, former gym teacher. Both men have been named in previous lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct involving students.
The suit alleges the defendants placed these men in positions of authority, which gave them unchecked access to vulnerable students. The complaint further alleges school and church officials knew these individuals posed a threat to students but failed to take action to prevent the abuse. At least 15 other former students have come forward alleging sexual abuse involving Paramus Catholic.
- In May 2023, Levy Konigsberg filed lawsuits on behalf of former students against the Paramus Catholic High School, the Archdiocese of Newark, and the Christian Brothers. Four victims alleged they were sexually abused by Bernard Garris, a former hockey coach at Paramus Catholic High School, and two of the lawsuits also accuse former gym teacher Donn Ernst of sexual abuse. All four plaintiffs said they were abused throughout their four years in high school. The suits say the former students were abused on school grounds and on school-sanctioned athletic trips. The suits further claim that Paramus Catholic, the Archdiocese and the Christian Brothers covered up the abuse for years and refused to take steps to stop the abuse by Garris and Ernst. At least 11 other former students have accused Garris of sexual abuse.
In March 2021, another former student filed a lawsuit, claiming that Garris allegedly groomed him and sexually assaulted him at school, in the coach’s car, and at hotels during trips for competitions. One lawsuit alleged that Garris sexually abused a minor student hundreds of times over three years, starting in 1981. Other lawsuits accused Garris of groping and inappropriately touching students, forcing a student to perform oral sex and engage in sodomy, and taking “pornographic” photos of an underage boy. He was also accused of routinely putting his hands down students’ pants in the locker room and grabbing them. Some of the alleged abuse happened during hockey camp trips to Minnesota, where Garris was alone with players in a hotel.
In August 2020, two lawsuits were filed alleging Garris of sexual abuse. The lawsuits also claimed that the school, the Archdiocese of Newark, and the archbishop allegedly knew about the abuse but did nothing to stop it. Garris was accused of abusing one of the victims between 1985 and 1986 and the other between 1986 and 1988, when they were around 14 and 15 years old. The alleged abuse happened during school athletic trips and on school grounds.
- In April 2011, Artur Sopel and Michael Sumulikoski were charged with sexual assault and child endangerment after three female students alleged they engaged in sexual acts with them during a school-sanctioned trip to Germany.
Sumulikoski, former substitute teacher and assistant football coach, allegedly had sex with one female student on the trip.
Sopel, former vice president of operations at Paramus Catholic, allegedly engaged in sexual activities with two female students on the trip. He also allegedly had sex with another female student in Bergen County in 2010.
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that charges related to the abuse on the Germany trip had to be dropped because the alleged sexual misconduct occurred on foreign soil, and New Jersey lacked territorial jurisdiction.
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.
CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES
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
New Jersey Sexual Abuse Attorneys
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations previously imposed a strict deadline for victims of sexual abuse to file claims or seek compensation. However, recognizing the lasting impact of sexual abuse and the obstacles survivors face in pursuing justice, the state enacted the Child Victims Act in 2019. This landmark legislation significantly extended the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse cases. The law provides more opportunities for victims to seek justice and compensation, acknowledging the complexities and challenges associated with reporting and prosecuting sexual abuse.
Under New Jersey law, specifically NJ Stat. § 2A:14-2a, survivors of sexual abuse now have an extended timeframe to pursue legal action. Childhood sexual abuse victims can file civil claims until age 55 or seven years after recognizing the trauma, whichever is later. This allows survivors to seek justice against their abusers and any liable institutions. For those sexually abused as adults (age 18 or older), the deadline to file a civil lawsuit is seven years from the incident of abuse.
Seeking legal guidance is crucial when navigating the complexities of the statute of limitations. Your attorney can review your case, explain the statute of limitations to you, and assist you in determining if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse in New Jersey Catholic Schools and other New Jersey 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.
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.