If you have been a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a priest or clergy member, Gruber, Colabella, Thompson, Hiben & Montella’s team of attorneys and counselors will guide you through the path to justice and healing.
The pain and suffering experienced by any victim of clergy abuse is profound, causing deep wounds of betrayal, anger and violation, with lasting negative impacts on one’s life, mental health and relationships. That pain is compounded tremendously when the perpetrator of these terrible acts is a trusted priest or clergy member.
Led by lead attorney Dr. Daniel Agatino, our team will connect you with counselors and support to help you through the healing process, while also advocating on your behalf and confronting the powerful institutions that enabled these crimes to occur. You will be treated with the utmost respect, confidentiality and compassion – while we advocate aggressively on your behalf.
Many clergy sexual abuse cases do not go to court. Instead, multiple diocese throughout the country have established funds to provide settlements to victims. Settlement amounts vary greatly and are influenced significantly by the negotiating skills of your attorney. Outcomes of clergy abuse cases are typically comprehensive and involve compensatory damages as well as individualized plans to assist in the healing process.
Unfortunately, re-visiting and reliving sexual abuse often adds a second layer of trauma and victimization. In recognition of this troubling reality, Dr. Agatino and his team works closely with local mental health professionals in order to offer clients the opportunity to participate in healing therapy. As part of your settlement, we can seek payment for counseling, and our office works with some of the top specialists in New Jersey. Finding the right therapist is as important as finding the right lawyer.
The lead attorney in our firm’s sexual abuse practice area, Daniel Agatino, is both a practicing attorney and an expert in Catholicism and Catholic culture. In addition to his law degree and a Ph.D, Dan holds a graduate degree in Catholic theology and has authored books on the subject of Catholicism. This subject matter expertise enables Dr. Agatino to navigate these extraordinarily sensitive cases with unparalleled dexterity, and uniquely qualifies him to effectively interact with Church authorities on your behalf.