New Jersey Opening Two-Year Window for Older Clergy Abuse Claims
On December 1, the state of New Jersey will open a two-year window for filing older clergy abuse claims. Abuse survivors will be allowed to file suits against their alleged abusers within the two-year window, which opens on Sunday, December 1 and closes in November 2021. Suits may be filed electronically on that date even though the courts will be closed. The courts expect a flood of lawsuits but, with two years in which to file, it may be more of a steady stream spanning the time frame. Survivors may file claims up to seven years after the initial discovery of abuse or until the individuals reach 55 years of age.
In February 2019, the New Jersey dioceses released a report identifying the priests credibly accused of clergy abuse in the state. Within three months, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill that extends the statute of limitations for filing older child abuse suits. Now abuse survivors whose cases may have been dismissed under the previous guidelines will be granted the ability to hold their abusers accountable for the trauma from which they suffered many years ago.
If you or someone you love endured the trauma of clergy abuse as a child, our New Jersey clergy abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will pursue justice on your behalf. Please call us today at 732-537-8570 or toll-free at 877-249-4600 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential case review. We proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey and in the communities of New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
