Pennsylvania - Feeney Law Firm

Revival Window Bill Moving Through State Senate in Pennsylvania

Christina Feeney — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 19:25:17 +0000

New House Speaker Mark Rozzi recently vowed that no other legislation would be taken up until the Senate approved a constitutional amendment allowing child sex abuse victims to file claims . . .

The post Revival Window Bill Moving Through State Senate in Pennsylvania appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia has Paid Over $78 Million to Clergy Abuse Survivors

Christina Feeney — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 11:56:05 +0000

Three and a half years ago, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia set up the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program (IRRP). A final report released by the IRRP showed that the archdiocese paid out $78 million . . .

The post Archdiocese of Philadelphia has Paid Over $78 Million to Clergy Abuse Survivors appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Statute of Limitations Bill Stalled in PA Legislature

Brett Katsma — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:00:22 +0000

Pressure to change existing statute of limitations laws for survivors of sexual abuse began to emerge from the public after a 2018 grand jury report from the state’s Attorney General shed light on just how deep the Catholic Church’s cover-up of child sexual abuse ran in Pennsylvania. Three years later, efforts to change those laws are still getting bogged down in the state’s legislature.

The post Statute of Limitations Bill Stalled in PA Legislature appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Pennsylvania Legislators Take Two-Track Approach to Open Revival Window for Child Sex Abuse Survivors

Brett Katsma — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 13:22:10 +0000

After a serious ‘blunder’ by Pennsylvania’s Department of State earlier this month, Pennsylvania legislators look to pass a new bill that would allow child sex abuse victims a two-year ‘window’ to file civil claims in court against both public and private entities.

The post Pennsylvania Legislators Take Two-Track Approach to Open Revival Window for Child Sex Abuse Survivors appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Pennsylvania Department of State Drops Ball on Constitutional Amendment

Brett Katsma — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 18:39:49 +0000

At the beginning of 2021, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly passed legislation focused on creating a revival window for child sexual abuse survivors. After passing the General Assembly in February, the bill should have been included on the May 2021 ballot so, if passed, the state’s constitution could be amended.

The post Pennsylvania Department of State Drops Ball on Constitutional Amendment appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Diocese of Scranton Faces 3 More Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Brett Katsma — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 12:52:00 +0000

Three sexual abuse lawsuits filed against the Scranton Diocese at the end of 2020 allege that church officials knew the accused clergy members were abusing children and instead of punishing those priests, they transferred them to other parishes.

The post Diocese of Scranton Faces 3 More Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Priest Sexual Abuse Case in PA Could Open the Door for Other Survivors

Brett Katsma — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 12:11:28 +0000

In Oct. 2020, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court heard oral arguments virtually and live-streamed via YouTube, for the Rice v. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, et. al, case. This important legal battle could have major implications for priest and clergy abuse survivors regarding potential lawsuits.

The post Priest Sexual Abuse Case in PA Could Open the Door for Other Survivors appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Pennsylvania Revival Window Moves Closer to Reality

Brett Katsma — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 14:46:14 +0000

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made headlines in August of 2018 with the release of the Diocese Victim Report, which came after a two-year grand jury investigation into sexual abuse and cover-ups in six of the eight Pennsylvania Dioceses. In its wake, Pennsylvania legislators took aim at updating laws involving sexual abuse and a survivor’s ability to pursue a civil action against an abuser and the institutions that covered it up.

The post Pennsylvania Revival Window Moves Closer to Reality appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Allegations of Sexual Abuse Emerge Against Two Priests Who Served in the Diocese of Greensburg, PA

Brett Katsma — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:48:44 +0000

Allegations of sexual abuse by two priests who served in the Greensburg Diocese were brought to light recently by the State Attorney General’s office and the diocese itself. Father Emil Payer’s name was released by the diocese as part of a report by Bishop Edward Malesic. The report stated that Payer’s name was being added to the diocese’s list of priests who served within the diocese and had one or more “credible and substantiated” allegations of child sexual abuse brought against them. The second priest, Father Andrew M. Kawecki, was arrested and charged with several sexual abuse crimes against a former altar boy.

The post Allegations of Sexual Abuse Emerge Against Two Priests Who Served in the Diocese of Greensburg, PA appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.

Number of Clergy Abuse Lawsuits Filed in Pennsylvania Surge

Brett Katsma — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 16:23:33 +0000

Over the last few years, many states have passed reform bills to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse hold their abusers, and the institutions responsible for the abuse, accountable. Several states, including New York and California, have passed laws setting up what are commonly referred to as ‘revival windows.’ These ‘revival windows’ create a time frame for previously expired claims to be brought on behalf of the survivor.

The post Number of Clergy Abuse Lawsuits Filed in Pennsylvania Surge appeared first on Feeney Law Firm.