Monahan Law Practice, P.C.

Fighting for justice on behalf of crime victims throughout Pennsylvania

My goal is to assist individuals who suffer horrific harms and losses as a result of tragic accidents and to join them in the road to recovery through the legal process.

Call for a free CONFIDENTIAL consultation: 610-363-3888

  • Home
  • Why Choose Dan
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Industrial/Work Accidents
    • Auto Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Crime Victim Cases and Inadequate Security
    • Sexual Assault and Abuse Crimes
    • School Violence
    • Premises Liability for Inadequate Security
  • About Us
    • Daniel F. Monahan
    • Kathy Boyer
    • Testimonials
    • Case Results
  • Resources
    • Publications
    • Helpful Internet Resources
    • FAQs
    • Library
  • In The News
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Superior Court Just Doesn’t Get it: Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse Don’t Understand the Harm for Years

December 2, 2015 By Dan

In June 2015 I argued the appeal on two cases involving survivors of childhood sexual abuse by priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Both cases had been dismissed by Judge Jacqueline Allen of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.  Plaintiffs appealed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court arguing the injuries as a result of childhood sexual abuse cannot be known by many survivors until years later.  Like the Court’s decision in creeping disease cases like those involving asbestos exposure, there have been decisions that extend the Statute of Limitations until a medical diagnosis of injury has been made.

The Superior Court in an unpublished decision by three Judges refused to consider that argument and once again adhered to a draconian position that children know they were injured when the sexual assault occurred.

Unfortuantely, medical science and common sense has confirmed that this is not often the case.  This fight will be brought to the Courts again given the right set of facts and circumstances.

Anyone who was sexually assaulted by a Catholic priest or any other adult under the guise of an authority figure of any institution including the Catholic Church or any other religious organization or such organizations that deal closely with children such as Boy Scouts or Youth Groups should contact Dan Monahan directly at 610-363-3888.

 

DECISION SUPERIOR CT

Filed Under: Blog, Inadequate Security and Crime Victim Cases, Sexual Assault and Abuse Claims

Recent Posts

  • Go See the Movie “Spotlight” While it is Still in the Theaters
  • Superior Court Just Doesn’t Get it: Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse Don’t Understand the Harm for Years
  • The Movie “Concussion” Highlights the Continuing Concern of Sports Concussions and Brain Damage
  • Impairment Rating Evaluations in Workers’ Compensation Ruled Unconstitutional
  • Monahan Law Practice Publishes Quarterly Fall 2015 Newsletter

Our Mission

Whether it is helping victims of tragic accidents with serious physical and psychological injuries or survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it is our mission to insure that these survivors obtain the help and services they need on the road to recovery, protect them from further harm and to join in the journey through the legal process to compensate them for their harms and losses.

All communications are strictly confidential and anonymous if requested.
484-883-2901 Dan Monahan’s Direct Cell Phone

The Monahan Law Practice
610-363-3888
dmonahan@jdllm.com

Copyright 2017. Monahan Law Practice P.C. All rights reserved