Our attorneys have been assisting the Orange County and Southern California communities for over 40 years.
Close to a hundred lawsuits have been brought by survivors of Catholic Church sexual abuse committed in the Diocese of Orange. There are numerous clerical perpetrators in this Diocese, including seven who have been located in Huntington Beach in the past. If you are a Catholic Church sexual abuse survivor in Huntington Beach, contact DiMarco Araujo Montevideo today. Our Huntington Beach clergy abuse lawyers can provide strong legal representation to help maximize your compensation.
At least 72 clergy in the Diocese of Orange have been accused of sexual abuse, including the following who were located in Huntington Beach at one time:
If you have been abused as a minor by a priest in any of the following Dioceses, you may be eligible for compensation through the Independent Compensation Program:
This is a settlement program, independent from the Dioceses and run by two nationally recognized administrators. It was established to provide compensation for individuals who were sexually abused as minors by a priest from any of the above-listed Dioceses. The program administrators have complete autonomy to determine eligibility for the program and the amount of compensation offered to claimants. Before you can receive compensation from the Independent Compensation Program, you might sign a release waiving your rights to file a lawsuit against any party relating to the allegations of sexual abuse. We strongly recommend that you consult with an experienced Huntington Beach clergy abuse attorney before you do so.
If you are not eligible for compensation under the Independent Compensation Program, or if you do not feel the administrators have offered you full and fair compensation for your losses, you still have the option to file a claim for compensation in civil court against the responsible parties. After a consultation, our clergy sexual abuse attorneys in Orange County can tell you if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim.
To file a new claim (not previously filed with law enforcement or the Dioceses) you must first register on the Independent Compensation Program website. Then you must report the sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agency and submit a copy of the report to the administrators of the program. You will receive a claim packet in the mail. Fill out the claim form and provide all necessary documentation, then send your claim to the administrators in the pre-paid, self-addressed envelope included in the packet.
It is in your best interests to be represented by an Orange County trial attorney if you are filing a claim with the program. Our experienced clergy abuse lawyers can investigate and help substantiate your claim, and ensure that your claim form and documentation are in order. We can also advise on whether the settlement offered will fully compensate you for the losses you have suffered due to the sexual abuse.
At DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo in Santa Ana, we are tough advocates for survivors of clerical sexual abuse in Southern California. Call us at (714) 783-2205 if you have been a victim of Catholic Church abuse in Huntington Beach.