South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

In Florida, the Archdiocese of Miami issued a public apology to a teenage girl who was sexually assaulted by a Pinecrest Catholic Church youth minister. The apology is part of the sex abuse settlement the archdiocese reached with the teenager and her family.

In a Florida sexual abuse lawsuit, the girl accused then-19-year old Anthony B. Ricco of assaulting her a number of times in 2006. She also alleges that St. Louis Catholic Church Pastor James Fetscher and Senior Youth Minister Paul Herring knew as early as 2004 that Ricco had sexually molested other girls but failed to notify Florida police or prevent him from abusing other girls. The 15-year-old’s parents reported Ricco to Pinecrest authorities after they found out that he had sexual intercourse with their daughter.

As late as last year, the archdiocese denied it knew about any allegations of sexual abuse involving Ricco, who pleaded no contest to nine counts of lewd and lascivious battery in December 2006, with some of the charges related to his sexual relationship with the teen. As part of Ricco’s plea agreement, the judgment against him was withheld, which means that Ricco technically does not have a criminal record.

The financial terms of the Florida sexual abuse settlement with the Miami Archdiocese remain confidential.

If you or your child was the victim of sexual abuse, Florida personal injury law allows you to file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the perpetrator. Florida is one of a number of US states with a delayed discovery rule. This means that even if you wait a number of years before filing your lawsuit because you repressed the memory of the incident, you may still be able to sue the abuser for compensation. An experienced Miami sexual abuse lawyer can inform you of your legal options.

Sexual abuse is an insidious crime and the physical and emotional damage from such an assault can affect the victim for the rest of his or her life. If you have been the victim of sexual abuse, you may be able to hold the responsible party liable in civil court.

Miami Archdiocese Apologizes In Sex Abuse Lawsuit, CBS4.com, October 16, 2008

Miami Archdiocese issues rare apology in sex-abuse case, MiamiHerald.com, October 17, 2008

Related Web Resources:

The Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse by Priests, AmericanCatholic.org

Archdiocese of Miami

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Posted In: Sexual Abuse

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In two Florida lawsuits filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, two more men are suing a former Broward County priest for child sex abuse. They claim that Rev. Neil Doherty gave them toys and money in exchange for sex when they were kids in the 1980’s. They also allege that the Archdiocese of Miami knew about the abuse but tried to cover up the incidents.

The two men, who are cousins, are also related to other victims that have sued the archdiocese for sex abuse. Many of the cases have settled without going to trial. These two lawsuits are the latest of 14 lawsuits naming Doherty.

Doherty, who retired in 2002, is accused of sexually abusing boys in the St. Mary’s Cathedral rectory, his car, and his private residence. The Miami Archdiocese is accused of interviewing his victims in 1987 and then trying to conceal their findings.

Clergy Sex Abuse
Clergy sex abuse is an insidious problem that has only been brought to awareness in recent years.

According to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, between 1950 and 2002:

• 4,392 priests/deacons were accused of sexual abuse.
• More than 10,600 people reported that they were victims of clergy abuse.
• 81% of the victims were male.
• 50% of the victims were age 11-14 years old when the abuse happened.

Priests are often entrusted with the supervision of children, and when they abuse this trust by sexually molesting or assaulting a child, they can be held liable.

In a separate criminal case, the 65-year-old former St. Vincent’s Catholic Church pastor has been charged with multiple counts of molestation, lewd and lascivious acts, and sexual battery. Doherty has pled not guilty to the charges.

Our South Florida child sex abuse law firm knows that sexual abuse is a trauma that can lead to lifelong emotional injuries and other damages. We can work with you to recover compensation from the negligent party.

Former Broward priest faces two lawsuits on molestation charges, Sun-Sentinel.com, June 26, 2008

Clergy abuse statistics at a glance, Clergy Abuse Statistics, February 27, 2004

Related Web Resources:

Spotlight: Abuse in the Catholic Church, Boston.com

Former Priest Charged with Child Sexual Abuse, Bishop Accountability, January 27, 2006

Continue reading "Two More Florida Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed Against Ex-Broward County Priest Awaiting Criminal Trial" »

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Posted In: Sexual Abuse

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In South Florida, Dr. Gunwant Dhaliwal, the physician named as a defendant in several sex abuse lawsuits, has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery.

The 46-year-old internist, who has medical practices in New Port Richey, Holiday, and Spring Hill, has denied all the abuse allegations and says the women are just trying to get money from him.

Dhaliwal has been sued four times in Hernando and Pasco County, and there have been nine complaints about him made to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office over the past eight years. Several of the complaints were filed after the statute of limitations expired.

One woman, Danielle Turner, told police that Dhaliwal touched her inappropriately on February 12, 2007 after she was hired to work at his New Port Richey office. Another woman, patient Marissa Satinoff, says Dhaliwal inappropriately touched her during a medical exam. In Hernando County, patient Tammy King filed a Florida sex abuse lawsuit after she says that the doctor fondled her on February 6, 2007.

Sex Abuse
While acts of sex abuse are punishable by law, a sex abuse victim also has the right to file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the perpetrator for injuries, pain and suffering, and other damages.

In many cases, there may not be sufficient physical evidence to prove that someone was molested or touched inappropriately by a doctor, a teacher, a counselor, a priest, a relative, or a stranger. Some sex abuse victims can repress their memories for years.

Our Florida sex abuse lawyers know how to investigate and prove that you are entitled to compensation, and we are sensitive to your challenges even as you courageously pursue recovery from the responsible party.

Dr. Charged in Fondling Case, Tampabay.com, June 3, 2008

Pasco doctor accused of fondling patients, ABCActionnews.com, June 3, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Job Seeker Says Doctor Fondled Her, TBO.com, June 11, 2008

Gunwant Dhaliwal, Walk In Clinics

Continue reading "Florida Doctor Named in Sex Abuse Civil Cases Faces Criminal Charges for Alleged Fondling Incidents" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Sexual Abuse

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In Broward County, Florida, the aunt of a teenage girl who was sexually abused by her adoptive father is suing Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and its school. The Florida sex abuse lawsuit alleges that the church failed to protect the then-15-year-old girl from the sexual advances of Rodger Allen Thomas, who would visit her at the Calvary Christian Academy. The girl’s aunt is asking for $3 million in damages.

Church officials say they did not know the abuse was taking place until Thomas was arrested. They say that the lawsuit is the first time they were aware that any abuse incidents occurred at the academy. The church pastoral service reportedly tried to help the girl but she denied the abuse was taking place.

The girl’s aunt, who is her temporary guardian, says that the teenager’s stepfather had told the church that he had concerns about the adoptive father’s treatment of the girl. He says he went to academy officials after he found the girl in Thomas’s bed.

The girl’s aunt says that the church was negligent because it opted to handle the case “in house” rather than involving the Florida police.

Thomas is a church member. Thomas, his wife, the girl’s stepfather, and her stepfather’s fiancé are all employed by the church. The four of them had been battling for custody of the girl.

Thomas was arrested in 2006 for sexually abusing her. He pleaded no contest to three counts of sexual battery and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

If you or someone you love is the victim of sexual abuse, do not hesitate to contact our South Florida personal injury law firm right away. Our Ft. Lauderdale sexual abuse lawyers have the experience and resources to successfully pursue a sexual abuse claim or lawsuit against the negligent party or parties responsible for your pain and suffering.

There may even be third parties, such as a premise owner who did not take the proper measures to prevent the sexual abuse from happening, that can be held liable for your injuries.

Fort Lauderdale church denies fault in lawsuit that alleges sex abuse of girl on campus, Sun-Sentinel, May 18, 2008

Abuse Tracker, Bishopaccountability.org

Related Web Resource:

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

Continue reading "Florida Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit Blames Ft. Lauderdale Church For Failing to Protect Teenager From Adoptive Father" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Sexual Abuse

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