Sexual Abuse

For a survivor of childhood sexual abuse or to an adult who has been sexually abused, the decision to pursue legal action can be difficult. At O’Neill Kellner & Green we understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases. We make every effort to ensure your privacy and to take into account your concerns. Obtaining justice and compensation for survivors of sexual abuse is a serious focus for us. We have represented survivors of sexual abuse for over 15 years. While most of our cases now involve childhood abuse by priests, we represent other victims of childhood sexual abuse. We also have represented adults who have been abused sexually abused by psychologists, psychiatrists and other professionals.

O’Neill Kellner & Green attorney Jerry O’Neill is recognized nationally for his advocacy on behalf of survivors of clergy sexual abuse. In 2004, Lawyers Weekly named Mr. O’Neill “Attorney of the Year” for a landmark settlement he obtained for a Vermont man who was sexually abused by a priest as a child. The terms of the settlement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington included a payment of money, but more importantly, a public acknowledgment by the Diocese that it had known about a priest’s prior sexual abuse of children when it reassigned him to another parish.

We also obtained the largest known clergy sex abuse settlement in Vermont. In April 2006, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont agreed on the eve of trial to pay our client $965,000 because Fr. Edward Paquette, a priest of the Burlington Diocese, molested him when he was a child The case settled after Jerry O’Neill and John Evers had selected a jury and were prepared to prove that the Diocese knew in 1972 when it brought Fr. Paquette to the Diocese of Burlington that he previously had abused boys in at least two other dioceses in the United States. Church documents also showed that the Bishop of Burlington, upon learning that Fr. Paquette had molested boys in Vermont, moved him to another parish rather than suspend him. This enabled Fr. Paquette to molest our client and tens of other boys in his new assignment in the Diocese of Burlington.

O’Neill Kellner & Green represents other boys, as well as girls, in claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington for the harm they suffered from sexual molestation. In 1990, the Vermont legislature enacted a statute of limitations for bringing childhood sexual abuse claims. This law permits child sex abuse victims to bring their claims many years after the abuse. We are pleased to discuss this issue with sexual abuse victims to help them understand whether they are legally allowed to bring a claim. We routinely meet with child sex abuse victims to help them understand their rights, at no cost to them, and to screen the claims for those we can present to a jury.

Our goal is to provide support and help for victims of childhood sexual abuse. We try to help those who have been abused by supporting them in the process of bringing a claim but also by advising them if bringing a claim is not in their best interest. If you were sexually abused as a child or as an adult and want to understand your rights and how the law works, please call us. All calls are completely confidential. There is no cost and no obligation on your part. Even if you or we decide not to pursue the case, most people find it helpful to get clear and informed advice on this difficult issue.