WASHINGTON CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

The Seattle Archdiocese has faced decades of sexual abuse allegations and settlements totaling tens of millions of dollars involving clergy across Washington.

Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that clergy members of the Seattle Archdiocese sexually abused minors across Washington State.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, formerly the Diocese of Nesqually, has parishes throughout Western Washington and is currently led by Archbishop Paul D. Etienne. Allegations of sexual abuse against clergy members of the Archdiocese span decades, with the most significant public disclosures and lawsuits emerging in more recent years. Settlements involving the Archdiocese have totaled tens of millions of dollars, and the Archdiocese has publicly released a list of clergy and religious members with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against them.

If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.

Standing Up for Sex Abuse Survivors in Washington

Legal action has been taken against the Archdiocese of Seattle on behalf of people who were sexually abused by members of the church, including some cases that involved sexual abuse from decades past. If you were sexually abused by a clergy member, administrator, volunteer, or anyone else associated with the Seattle Archdiocese, Levy Konigsberg is here to help you understand your rights and use your voice. We know how difficult it is to speak up against an abuser, even when the last attack happened many years ago. That’s why we have a trauma-informed team of legal professionals who are ready to help you, starting with a case evaluation that is entirely free and 100% confidential.

Why should you trust your Seattle Archdiocese sex abuse lawsuit to Levy Konigsberg?

• We have handled sexual abuse lawsuits against religious institutions, including those against the Catholic Church.
• We have secured millions of dollars for sexual abuse clients, and more than $3 billion for all clients.
• We stay up to date on important sexual abuse litigation and legislation, like Washington State’s HB 1618.
• We have the resources and experience to help clients nationwide with sex abuse claims and lawsuits.

What is the Seattle Archdiocese?

The Seattle Archdiocese – officially the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and formerly the Diocese of Nesqually – has parishes throughout Western Washington. As an archdiocese, it is under the jurisdiction of an archbishop, who is currently Archbishop Paul D. Etienne. Its official seat is not located in a church or cathedral, but instead an office in Downtown Seattle.

History of Seattle Archdiocese Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse allegations have surrounded the Seattle Archdiocese for decades. However, the most prominent lawsuits against the Seattle Archdiocese have only formed in recent years. The right time is now to explore your legal options if you were sexually abused by a member of this religious group.

A partial history of sexual abuse cases and allegations involving the Seattle Archdiocese includes:

• July 2012: A King County Superior Court jury awarded $6.4 million to a man who was sexually abused as a child. He dropped out of high school, enlisted at 17, and served two tours in Vietnam, all to try to get away from his abusers.
• January 2016: The Seattle Archdiocese published a list of 77 known clergy members and others associated with the church who had sexually assaulted children or had been credibly accused of doing so. An apology was issued by the then-Archbishop alongside the list.
• 2016: It is concluded that the Seattle Archdiocese has paid nearly $75 million in settlements for nearly 400 sexual abuse of minors claims and lawsuits since the late 1980s.
• 2018: A sexual abuse lawsuit brought by six men is settled for nearly $7 million. The plaintiffs were sexually abused by priests decades ago when they were young children. Investigations for the case uncover that the church knew one of the offenders was sexually abusing children as far back as the late ‘50s.
• 2021: The Seattle Archdiocese agrees to pay a Washington woman $725,000 to resolve her lawsuit, which alleged she was repeatedly sexually abused by an unidentified employee for more than 40 years. The first sexual assault occurred when she was only 8 years old.
• 2022: A $2.3 million settlement is reached to settle five claims from people who alleged that they were sexually abused in the ‘50s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. In three of the cases, the offenders passed away before the lawsuits were filed. The late Father John Cornelius at St. Mary and St. Therese parishes had more than 20 complaints of sexual abuse filed against him before he was officially laicized in 2004.

Father John Marsh 

• In January 2016, Father John Marsh was included on the Archdiocese of Seattle’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse.

In June 2011, he was named in a lawsuit. 

In December 2003, a lawsuit was settled for $425,000 over claims filed in 2002 that he abused three brothers between 1969 and 1973. In January 2005, one of the victims later filed his own separate suit.

In 1988, he admitted to molesting approximately 10 boys. 

Briscoe Memorial School

• In January 2016, the Archdiocese of Seattle released a list of 77 clergy and religious brothers and sisters credibly accused of sexual abuse, including one priest and twelve (12)  brothers and sisters who taught at Briscoe Memorial School between 1939 and 1969. 
• In June 2014, the Archdiocese of Seattle agreed to pay $12.1 million to settle 30 sexual abuse claims from former students of Briscoe Memorial School and O’Dea High School, both run by the Christian Brothers.
• In May 2013, the Congregation of Christian Brothers agreed to pay $16.5 million to more than 400 victims of sexual and physical abuse, many of whom had been abused at Briscoe Memorial School.
• In October 2005, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight men who alleged they suffered physical and sexual abuse at Briscoe Memorial School between 1950 and 1970. The lawsuit named the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Congregation of Christian Brothers as defendants, alleging the boys were molested and regularly beaten with sticks, leather straps, and paddles by a resident priest, Christian Brothers, cooks, and night watchmen.

St. Benedict’s School

• In July 2012, a King County jury awarded $6.4 million to a former student who alleged he was repeatedly sexually abused between 1961 and 1964 by Daniel Adamson, a teacher and principal at St. Benedict’s School. 

The jury also found the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Dominican Sisters partially responsible. The alleged abuse occurred at Adamson’s home, at the school, in the church, and in motel rooms.

In January 2016, the victim publicly criticized the Archdiocese of Seattle’s newly released list of credibly accused clergy for omitting Adamson. The victim also alleged that the Rev. Henry Conrad and other priests at St. Benedict’s School.

Do I Have A Case?

You may have a sexual abuse claim against the Catholic Church if:

• You were sexually abused as a minor or an adult within the Church.
• The abuser was a priest, clergy member, or some other Church volunteer or employee.
• Your abuse occurred at any time in the past.

As with civil sexual abuse cases, claims filed with the bankruptcy settlement fund are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse. Instead, they focus on holding the Archdiocese liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged or convicted of a crime.

Determining whether you have grounds to pursue a claim can be challenging, which is why our team at Levy Konigsberg is readily available to help.

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

Washington Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Under current Washington state law, survivors of sexual abuse have three years from the date of their abuse, or three years from the date they discover the connection between their injuries (which can include addiction, self-harm, and other mental health issues) and the abuse (or a defendant’s actions that led to the abuse), to file civil lawsuits.

In March 2024, the governor signed into law a bill (House Bill 1618) removing the statute of limitations for civil claims related to child sexual abuse. As a result, for any sexual abuse occurring on or after June 6, 2024, there is no deadline to file.

However, the new law is not retroactive, meaning that it does not apply to sexual abuse that occurred before June 6, 2024. Survivors of sexual abuse that occurred before this time still have three years from the date of their abuse, or three years from the date they discover the connection between their injuries and the abuse or actions that led to the abuse, to file civil lawsuits.