24/7 Free consultation

(888) 424-5757
Contact

Free Consultation (888)-949-0011

Michigan Catholic Diocese Priest Sexual Abuse List [Free Resource]

Passion, Trust, Results.
$450+ Million Recovered



Legally Reviewed by:

Jonathan Rosenfeld

J.D

  • Over $450 Million worth of case results

  • Awarded The Best Lawyer in 2024 by U.S. News

  • Nationally Recognized in Legal Community

List of Accused Priests in Michigan

Clergy abuse within the various Michigan Dioceses is has an unfortunate and long history. The Catholic Church has many instances of clergy members sexually assaulting members of the church, but a lot of people don’t come forward. Many don’t report abuse until many years later, and when they’re ready, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to be your trusted ally. Whether the abuse occurred in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, or anywhere else, we’ll help fight for your rights and bring your abuser responsible to justice.

About Clergy Abuse

Any sexual misconduct from clergy members to anyone else in their congregation can be considered clergy abuse. People of any age can be subjected to clergy abuse, but unfortunately, it tends to be the children who suffer the most. Child sexual abuse leaves a lasting impression on the child, including emotional and psychological trauma.

Reporting the abuse and seeking legal counsel are the first steps in preventing the abuser from continuing the pattern. The legal process for clergy abuse cases varies slightly, but they all involve filing lawsuits, gathering evidence, and either going to trial or negotiating outside of the courtroom. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers knows how to guide survivors in Michigan through the legal system and emotionally to ensure their rights are protected.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to offer legal services to victims of clergy abuse in Michigan. We have an abundance experience working these cases and understand how to work them with the utmost care and compassion every step of the way.

Laws and Regulations in Michigan

Michigan has very specific laws and regulations surrounding clergy abuse and other sexual abuse crimes. Since many survivors don’t report abuse shortly after it happens, it’s important to know what the statute of limitations is in Michigan for these crimes. For civil claims of child sexual abuse, the statute of limitations is until the survivor’s 28th birthday or three years after discovering the abuse. It’s important to know that the right to sue for civil suits isn’t dependent on if they file criminal charges. For those filing criminal claims, there is no statute of limitation if the charge is first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Mandated reporting laws are active in Michigan to help stop child abuse. The Michigan Child Protection Law requires those who work in human services, healthcare, education, the Michigan Diocese, and other similar fields to report any suspected physical or sexual abuse of minors to the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHHS).

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Michigan

After a survivor files a police report to report abuse, it’s time to start the process of holding clergy members responsible for their actions. The process of filing a clergy abuse lawsuit in Michigan involves:

  • Initial Attorney Consultation: Meet with a lawyer who specializes in clergy abuse cases. The consultation is so they can hear your case and then put together a plan on how to proceed.
  • Evidence Gathering: Gather evidence like various testimonies, witness statements, and if there are any documents that help prove your case.
  • Filing the Complaint: Officially file your civil or criminal case against the appropriate party or parties.
  • Discovery Process: Both parties will have the opportunity to review all the information and evidence as well as exchange information before settlement negotiations begin.
  • Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Negotiation settlements will start. Ideally, both parties will be able to come to an agreement in negotiation meetings, but if they can’t, the case will go to trial.

If you want a law firm that understands the nuances of clergy abuse behind you, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to get started on the road to justice.

Support Resources for Survivors in Michigan

For those who have been sexually abused by clergy members, finding ways to move past the abuse and find closure isn’t an easy road. Michigan offers a variety of support resources to survivors. Some of these include specialized counseling services, crisis hotlines, and support groups for others who have been through similar situations. Some great resources are:

  • Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCEDSV)
  • HAVEN
  • Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC)
  • The Firecracker Foundation

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Michigan

There are hundreds of abuse allegations across the various Diocese of Michigan. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has been conducting investigations into each alleged abuse allegation, and it’s an ongoing investigation. Some of the notable cases to come out of that investigation are:

  • Brian Stanley: This is one of the Priests accused of sexual abuse within the Kalamazoo Diocese. He was proven guilty of holding a teenage boy against his will in a closet in a church in Otsego. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and was required to be on the sex offender registry for life.
  • The Lansing Diocese: The Diocese of Lansing has had several credibly accused Priests and other clergy members, 454 alleged abusers to be exact. One of the most recent cases was when Brian McLain stated that Father Richard Lobert sexually assaulted him. The statute of limitation issues in this case could set a new precedent in Michigan.
  • Father Charles Antekeier: This abusive clergy member was working at St. James within the Grand Rapids Diocese when he was accused of criminal sexual abuse. His abuse of a minor occurred between 1984 and 1985, and there are multiple allegations from before then, too. One victim was an altar boy. The victim’s family states that the survivor has lasting effects, like becoming an alcoholic by 14 years old, but didn’t tell his father about the abuse until he was 40 years old. He was permanently removed from ministry work in 2015.

Our attorneys have taken the time to review public and private settlement data related to Michigan clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the details and circumstances of your case, these are valued to be between $400,000 and $950,000. For cases that go before a jury or involve extreme misconduct, they can be valued at $1 million or more.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Survivors of clergy abuse in Michigan can count on Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to help bring their abuser to justice. We have a proven track record of helping our clients receive a fair settlement for these sensitive cases.

$14.2 Million

Priest grooming and handling

$4.1 Million

Deacon assault and rape

$3 Million

Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood

$2.5 Million

Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse

$2.3 Million

Religious school priest teen sexual abuse

$1.5 Million

Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest

When you choose to work with us, you’ll get a dedicated legal team with experience and knowledge about clergy abuse who will also remain compassionate throughout the entire process.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been sexually abused by a clergy member in the Catholic Dioceses of Michigan, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is prepared to fight for your rights. Contact us today for your free consultation by filling out the form on our website or by calling us at (888) 424-5757.

Related Practice Areas

Client Reviews

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

– Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own.

– Ethan Armstrong

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld.

– Giulia

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you.

– Daniel Kaim

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother’s death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial.

– Lisa

Submit a Law Firm Client Review


Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer | Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC | 24-7 Service

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2024, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC

Call Consultation Text