Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Father James Sickler
Sexual abuse is a serious crime that can affect a person for a lifetime. Many victims do not expect to be sexually assaulted by a member of the clergy that they trusted. Unfortunately, this is the reality of many children that are entrusted to clergy members that do not have their best interests at heart. If you or a family member was the victim of sexual assault by Father James Sickler, contact an experienced NYC sexual abuse attorney today.
At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we recognize how even one incident of sexual abuse can adversely affect an individual, and we are here for you in your time of need. You should not have to bear the trauma of sexual abuse due to the repulsive actions of a clergy member. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300, or contact us online.
Allegations Against Father James Sickler
Father James Sickler was a priest that was ordained in the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1952. Father Sickler worked at a number of churches in the State of New York in various cities like Brooklyn, Queens, and Glendale.
While working as a priest at St. Pancras in 1961, Father Sickler was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. Specifically, Father Sickler tricked the child into believing there was a secret club in the restroom of the school. Father Sickler would then coerce the child into the fondling of each other’s genitals to gain access to the club.
As Father Sickler would continue to work for the Diocese of Brooklyn after this incident, it is reasonable to believe that he may have continued his illicit actions at another school or church. If you were sexually assaulted by Father James Sickler, you should speak with an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Forms of Sexual Abuse
There are multiple forms of sexual abuse that can be committed by a sexual predator. As mentioned, Father Sickler would coerce children into fondling his private parts. However, this is not the only way that sexual abuse can be committed:
- Exposing a child to pornographic material
- Forcing a child to engage in a sex act with another child
- Recording a child performing a sex act
- Making sexual advances towards a child that cannot legally consent
- Making sexual comments about the appearance of a child
There are other forms of sexual abuse not listed above. If you endured any type of sexual abuse, you should speak with an experienced attorney about your case. Even a brief incident of sexual abuse is enough to traumatize a person for the rest of their life.
The Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
The statute of limitations dictates the amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a certain type of lawsuit. Prior to the New York Child Victims Act (CVA), the statute of limitations for sexual abuse in New York was likely only a few years. However, the CVA has extended the statute of limitations until the victim of sexual abuse reaches the age of 55. Even if the clergy member that abused the plaintiff is deceased, the plaintiff may still be able to pursue a case against the diocese using the doctrine of vicarious liability.
Vicarious liability allows a person to sue a negligent employee’s employer for actions committed by the employee.
One of the likely reasons for the substantial increase of the statute of limitations is to ensure that sexual predators are not able to escape liability for their actions. Additionally, for victims of sexual abuse that may not understand that they were abused or that are afraid to come forward, the CVA provides them with ample time to pursue their claim.
Another aspect of the CVA is the reinstatement of sexual abuse lawsuits that have exceeded the original statute of limitations. The CVA allows plaintiffs one year to file their case after the statute of limitations has expired. The one-year period begins to run on August 14, 2019.
It is also important to note that the CVA does not only apply to sexual abuse cases related to the church but all types of sexual abuse claims.
Contact Our Trusted Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was sexually abused by Father James Sickler, you should consult with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer today. The devoted lawyers at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP possess a wide range of experienced litigating complex injury cases, and we are prepared to use this knowledge to fight for you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300.