Maryland Child Sex Abuse

Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore Sexual Abuse

This legislation is all the more urgent given the recent release of the Maryland Attorney General’s investigation into the Archdiocese of Baltimore. For more than 80 years, over 600 people were subject to sexual abuse by clergy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore across Maryland. For the past four years, the Attorney General of Maryland has been investigating and has finalized a report on these findings, including identifying 158 priests as attackers, including 115 priests who had previously been prosecuted or publicly identified by the church as “credibly accused.” These abusers targeted children of preschool age through teens. The church initially cooperated with the investigation but later paid for lawyers for people who sought to keep pieces of the report secret to avoid being held accountable.

For years, many survivors of this abuse have fought to make their stories heard, put an end to the abuse, and finally hold these dangerous abusers accountable. Unfortunately, by keeping the abuse in the dark, the archdiocese has been able to avoid justice using the statute of limitations.

• Learn about BMBF partner Phil Federico’s service on Survivors Advisory Board
• Press Release – March 22, 2023 | Jenner Law, Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico, and Grant & Eisenhofer launch alliance leveraging decades of mass tort experience
• The Daily Record: These law firms are teaming up to represent abuse survivors ahead of archdiocese report’s release
• Church sex abuse report gives voice to survivors: ‘I just want the darkness … to finally come to light’
• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore makes minimum wage increase, tax credits, Child Victims Act first bills signed into law

Maryland’s Child Victims Act

The Child Victim’s Act of 2023 was signed into law April 11, 2023 and allows any living victim of child sex abuse bring a lawsuit against their abuser, erasing a previous threshold that would prevent anyone older than 38 from a lawsuit forward for childhood sexual abuse.  The Child Victim’s Act of 2023 eliminates statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases in Maryland and allows survivors to file a lawsuit arising from allegations of child sexual abuse at any time.

The Child Victim’s Act now makes Maryland one of 23 states that allow victims to resurrect old claims that were previously barred by statutes of limitations. The Child Victim’s Act opens up the possibility for childhood sexual abuse survivors to finally seek justice for the abuse they suffered, regardless of their age or when the abuse occurred.

How We Can Support Survivors of Clergy Abuse

At BMBF, we understand the devastating impact that sexual abuse and misconduct can have on survivors. Our team of compassionate attorneys is committed to helping survivors of abuse by members of the clergy seek justice and obtain the compensation they deserve.

For decades, BMBF attorneys have represented survivors of sexual abuse. In 2009, a team led by partners Chase Brockstedt and Phil Federico obtained a $123 million settlement for sexual abuse victims of Delaware pediatrician Earl Bradley.

Our attorney’s also lead the fight for survivors against Johns Hopkins gynecologist Dr. Nikita Levy. The 25-year doctor had been surreptitiously photographing and/or videoing patients in compromising situations. BMBF attorneys worked to hold the major organization these survivors trusted accountable for their failures to protect them, earning a $190 million settlement and protecting these survivors by ensuring that this sexually abusive content would never be made public. Our commitment was to protect survivors from facing any further psychological harm from this abuse.

One person can make a difference. One lone voice is powerful. And these cases always start with one person having the courage to come forward. However, we also understand how effective it is to have a single story told by many voices. At BMBF, we listen, guide and lead our clients through these cases never losing sight of the benefit we were hired to achieve.

We recognize that sexual abuse cases can be complex and emotional. That’s why our experienced attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized attention to each client, helping them navigate the legal process with empathy and care.

Our team has a deep understanding of the legal issues involved in sexual abuse cases and has successfully represented many survivors of sexual abuse. We know how to hold those responsible accountable and will aggressively fight for your rights.

We are working closely alongside attorneys at Jenner Law who also bring deep experience representing survivors of sexual abuse and have an experienced team of trauma-informed staff to help support our clients.

If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse in the Maryland Archdiocese, don’t wait to seek justice; your information will always remain completely confidential. Our lawyers are prepared to hold the Church accountable to the fullest extent of the law and help our clients move forward.

Survivor & Advocate Stories