Over the last decade sex abuse scandals involving Catholic priests have gone widely public. The general public has been shocked and upset to learn that several now adults have come forward claiming to have been abused by one or more of the priests at their local parishes when they were children.
Several families have sought compensation for damages from archdioceses throughout the country in the last several years for pain, suffering, and emotional damage.
Recently one family of a Pennsylvania man is filing a wrongful death law suit against the archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The family claims that their loved one killed himself as a result of trauma involving alleged past abuse by a priest.
After the man alleged that he was the victim of abuse by Rev. Joseph Gallagher in the 1980’s, the charges were not heard, resulting in what family members say was the final straw for their loved one who has only been identified in reports as “Ben.” Ben killed himself after his allegations were deemed “not credible.”
Ben’s family filed a wrongful death suit on Wednesday in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas after alleging that the archdiocese covered up Ben’s sexual abuse case.
It is too early to speculate whether the family’s lawsuit will be upheld, earning them compensation for wrongful death from the Philadelphia archdiocese.
If you or loved one has suffered a similar loss and feel that your family member may have been the victim of wrongful death, it is important to ensure that your case gets the attention it deserves. Contact a Pearce Law lawyer as soon as possible. Contacting a Philadelphia accident lawyer immediately after the incident will help to ensure that statute of limitations does not further complicate your case.