On this page we will look at sex abuse lawsuits against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We will look who can bring a sex abuse lawsuit against the LDS Church and what the average settlement value of these cases is.
Sex Abuse Within the Mormon Church
The official name of The Mormon Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. As reported by the Washington Post, the Church claims a global membership of approximately 15 million, with over 6.5 million members residing in the United States.
Similar to other religious organizations, such as the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church has faced its own series of sexual abuse scandals that have surfaced in recent years. While the Church publicly denounces all forms of abusive behavior, encompassing sexual, physical, and verbal abuse, families have voiced concerns about the Church’s reluctance to address this issue adequately.
Recently, multiple plaintiffs have accused the Church and several officials of failing to safeguard their children from instances of sexual abuse. Despite some civil trials resulting in settlements of undisclosed amounts, the Church’s leadership consistently refutes any wrongdoing, seemingly prioritizing the protection of the Church over addressing the needs of abuse victims.
In the event of experiencing abuse or having a loved one affected while associated with the Mormon Church, seeking legal guidance might offer potential recourse. Consulting with a lawyer specializing in cases of Mormon Church sex abuse could provide valuable insight and assistance.
Sex Abuse Lawsuits Against Churches
Until recently, victims of sexual abuse by clergy or in a church setting had little options. Filing a civil lawsuit was often not possible because too much time had passed and the statute of limitations had expired.
Today, however, news laws are making it much easier. Many states have amended their laws to eliminate or expand the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims in civil court. Some states have actually eliminated their statute of limitations in child sex abuse lawsuits entirely. The increasing amount of evidence showing that church authorities knew about the abuse and sought to cover it up has also made the churches themselves become viable defendants in these cases.
Most of the public attention and focus has been on sexual abuse claims involving the Catholic Church. Although the Catholic Church has been the target of the largest number of sexual abuse lawsuits, clergy sexual abuse claims are not limited to catholic organizations. Many other religious denominations and organizations have faced claims of clergy sexual abuse. Allegations of sexual abuse within the United Methodist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention have exposed similar problems within these institutions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is no different.
Who Can File a Sex Abuse Claim Against the Mormon Church?
Generally, anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse has the right to file a sex abuse claim provided they can substantiate their case. To bring a sex abuse lawsuit against the Mormon Church, a plaintiff would need to show that he or she was abused by someone within the church or that the LDS church was somehow negligent (i.e., they knew about the abuse and did nothing, they covered it up, etc.).
Plaintiffs who bring successful sex abuse lawsuits against the Mormon church can get financial compensation for what happened to them. Successful plaintiffs can get money damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses incurred as a result of the abuse (e.g. mental health counseling, therapy, medications, etc.)
- Emotional pain and suffering resulting from the abuse
- Punitive damages (in some states)
Settlement Value of Mormon Church Sex Abuse Lawsuits
It is very reasonable and understandable to wonder about how much you might get in a settlement if you bring a sex abuse lawsuit against the LDS church. Generally speaking, sex abuse lawsuits against churches have a very high potential settlement value. The Catholic church in the U.S. has paid out over $3 billion in compensation to sexual abuse victims over the years. The average settlement payout in church sex abuse cases is $275,000 to $350,000. Could the settlement amounts in these cases go much higher? Absolutely.
Settlements and Verdicts in Church Sex Abuse Cases
Below are some sample sex abuse settlement amounts and jury payouts. This does not tell you the value of your claim but it does give you so context to understand how these claims are evaluated for settlement and by juries.
- $1,000,000 Settlement (California 2023): The plaintiff in this instance asserted that her stepfather sexually abused her during gatherings, meetings, and while on the premises of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which they were congregants. The legal complaint contended that despite reporting the abuse to the church, no action was taken. Eventually, the church resolved the case through an out-of-court settlement amounting to $1 million.
- $95,000,000 Verdict (New York 2023): A man in upstate New York was awarded $95 million after he claimed he was sexually abused by a Catholic Priest in his car in 1979. The award included $50 million in punitive damages against the church for covering up.
- $19,200,000 Settlement (Pennsylvania 2021): The Catholic Diocese in Pittsburgh established a $19 million settlement fund to compensate victims of sexual abuse by clergy. A total of over 200 claimants submitted claims and accepted the settlement offers under the fund, with an average payout of only $86,000.
- $1,000,000 Settlement (Ohio 2020): The plaintiff claimed that a priest sexually abused him six times while attending a Catholic high school causing him depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- $34,960,000 Verdict (Montana 2018): Two women claimed that a member of their Jehovah’s Witness church congregation sexually abused them as children for a period of over 13 years. They sued the church for covering up the abuse and not reporting the church member to the authorities.
Contact Us About Sex Abuse Lawsuits Against the Mormon Church
Our sex abuse lawyers are seeking new cases from individuals who were sexually abused by a priest, pastor, or other individual connected to or employed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints (the Mormon Church). Call 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation.