Sexual Abuse Claims Have Resulted in over $26 million in claims against the Archdiocese of Miami

The Archdiocese of Miami has revealed that sexual abuse claims have resulted in over $26 million paid on its behalf. In its 2007 report "Protecting God's Children" available at http://www.miamiarch.org/ it details payments linked to 129 claims involving priests, laity and religious brothers and sisters.

Florida Statutes have extended the statute of limitations for these sexual abuse claims in certain circumstances. The period of limitations (time within which a claim must be brought) can be found in Section 95.11(7), enacted in 1992, codified as "Delayed Discovery for Sexual Abuse Cases". This law allows 4 years to file suit from the age of majority (18), OR, within 7 years from the time of discovery of both the injury and the causal relationship between the injury and the abuse, which ever occurs later. At 7 years post-discovery, the claim is cut off. However, if the claimant can prove concealment of a known sexual predator then a doctrine called "equitable estoppel" may be available to revive the claim.

Read more about these claims and payments below.

If you or your child have been the victim of sexual misconduct by your clergy, teacher, coach or similar person in a position of trust and responsibility toward you or your child, please contact our Clergy Sex Abuse Attorneys.

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