Priest Abuse Lawyers Aggressively Seeking Compensation For Survivors

If you have been abused by a priest, you are not alone. Stories about children suffering abuse at the hands of priests have made headlines for years. Being abused by anyone—especially a priest, who is in a position of trust and authority—is a traumatizing experience. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, it’s important to understand that you have the right to recover compensation for your harms and losses.

Holding sexual abusers accountable is never easy, which is why you shouldn’t face this challenge alone. Turn to the skilled priest abuse lawyers at McKiggan Hebert for help as soon as possible.

Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Halifax have helped hundreds of sexual abuse survivors take legal action against the priests that caused them harm. We have spent decades helping sexual abuse survivors seek justice, secure compensation, and get peace of mind.

We know how hard it is to come forward about sexual abuse—especially if it involves speaking out against a priest that you trusted. We recognize the courage it takes to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse. We will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process. Learn more about your rights as a survivor of sexual abuse by scheduling a free, no obligation, consultation. To book your consultation, call 902-423-2050 or submit your information using the form on this website.

What Are Your Legal Options As A Survivor of Priest Abuse?

There are two ways for survivors to take legal action against the priests that have abused them. These two options are:

• Pursuing criminal charges
• Filing a civil lawsuit

If you choose the first option, you will need to provide the police with a statement that outlines what happened, who was involved, and when it occurred. It is important to understand that you won’t get to decide what happens next. The police will use the information you provide to launch an investigation into the alleged abuse. If they are able to find evidence of a crime, they will turn the case over to the crown prosecutor, who decides whether or not to file criminal charges against the priest.

The priest may plead guilty or choose to go to trial. If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury will decide whether or not the priest is guilty of committing a sexual assault. If the priest is found guilty, the court can impose serious penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines.

Many survivors decide to pursue criminal charges because they want to see their abuser punished for the crimes they have committed. If this is your goal, pursuing criminal charges might be the right option for you.

What if the person that abused you has died? The police cannot pursue criminal charges against someone who is dead.

It may be that you want to recover compensation for the harms, losses, and pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the abuse. In that case, filing a sexual abuse compensation lawsuit is the best option.

You can choose to take legal action against the abuser in both civil and criminal court. Every case is unique, which is why it’s best to talk to our lawyers to determine which option(s) is right for you.

How Much Time Do Survivors Have to Take Legal Action Against Priests?

The statute of limitations on assault cases is typically one year in Nova Scotia. However, this does not mean that you only have one year from the date you were abused to file a lawsuit against your abuser.

Nova Scotia has changed the Limitation of Actions Act (the law that sets time limits for different types of claims) to recognize that survivors of sexual abuse may not be capable of bringing a claim until years, even decades, after they were abused because of the harms caused by the abuse.

In Nova Scotia there is no time limit to bring a claim for compensation for harm caused by sexual abuse!

Because of this law, sexual abuse survivors have time to take legal action against sexually abusive priests and the institutions that allowed the abuse to continue.

Breaking the Silence about Priest Sexual Abuse

John McKiggan has written a public legal education guide specifically for survivors of sexual abuse. Click on the link to get a free copy of Breaking the Silence: the Survivor’s Guide to Sexual Abuse Claims.

Schedule A Free Case Evaluation With Our Experienced Priest Abuse Lawyers

Have you been sexually abused by a priest? If so, it is in your best interest to seek legal representation from the priest abuse lawyers at McKiggan Hebert as soon as possible. We understand how abuse can affect a survivor for the rest of their life. This is what motivates us to work tirelessly to help survivors recover every dollar of compensation they deserve for the trauma they have experienced.

Learn more about how we can help you recover compensation during a confidential, free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team. To schedule a consultation, call our law firm at 902-423-2050 or fill out the form located on this website.