Mormon Church Sex Abuse Lawsuits

This process is not governed by court oversight, nor does it follow the procedural safeguards that class actions or MDLs require. This is the defendant’s preferred path to resolve these claims, and plaintiffs’ lawyers are more than willing to play along.  There is no formal notice to potential claimants, no requirement of judicial approval, and no opportunity for objection or appeal by non-participating parties. And it is all done pretty quietly.  Survivors must be represented by firms recognized within this process to participate, and any resolution wholly depends on the documentation and negotiation presented by counsel.

No Mormon Church Class Action Lawsuit

April 9, 2025: Last week, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied a request to consolidate over 40 lawsuits against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into a single MDL. Our lawyers think this is ultimately the best thing for plaintiffs, as we will explain in a moment.

Plaintiffs had alleged that the Church maintained a nationwide policy of concealing sexual abuse. Still, the Panel found that the differences between the cases—ranging from the nature of the abuse to who committed it, when it occurred, and how Church leaders responded—were too great for consolidation. Unlike other MDLs involving uniform conduct (such as the Uber sexual assault litigation), the LDS cases span more than five decades and involve a wide range of perpetrators, policies, and geographic locations.

For survivors, our lawyers think this is not a setback—it is a strategic advantage. Keeping these cases out of an MDL allows each survivor’s story to remain the focus, rather than being absorbed into a large, slow-moving federal proceeding.  An MDL is supposed to do that.  But too often it does not.

It also avoids delays common in MDLs and keeps the cases closer to where the abuse occurred, allowing for local judges, local discovery, and potentially more empathetic juries. Plaintiffs retain greater control over their cases, and lawyers can pursue timelines and discovery specific to each individual rather than being bound by one-size-fits-all rules imposed by a centralized court.

Because most of these cases are already being handled by just a few experienced plaintiffs’ firms, informal coordination on shared discovery issues will still occur. But decentralization avoids the risk of survivors being lost in a sea of bureaucracy. Our LDS plaintiffs’ lawyers believe this outcome puts victims in a stronger position to seek settlement compensation in a way that respects the unique facts of each case and the personal nature of the harm suffered.

April 7, 2025 – Nearly 100 Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed Against LDS Church in California

April 8, 2025: Nearly 100 lawsuits have been filed across California against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alleging decades of sexual abuse and systemic cover-up. One of the cases, based in Modesto, involves a woman who says she was groomed and abused starting at age six by boys associated with LDS leadership, including the son of a bishop.
The abuse allegedly began in Hayward and continued in Modesto, spanning years and including multiple acts of rape and molestation during church programs. The complaint claim the LDS Church used financial power, internal counseling, and legal mechanisms to silence victims.

All 91 cases have been consolidated into a Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding (JCCP) before a Complex Litigation Panel judge in Los Angeles. The LDS Church denies the allegations and defends its use of a helpline and legal counsel, while survivors argue these tools shielded the Church from liability.

LDS Church Class Action Lawsuit?

February 18, 2025: In a significant development for survivors seeking justice against the Mormon Church, attorneys representing multiple plaintiffs have petitioned the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate 48 federal LDS Church sex abuse lawsuits into a single multidistrict litigation in the Central District of California.

The lawsuits, filed across nine federal districts, allege that the LDS Church engaged in a widespread and systemic cover-up of child sexual abuse committed by Church members. A particular focus of the litigation is the Church’s “Help Line,” which plaintiffs contend was used to suppress reports and shield abusers from accountability.

The motion identifies Judge André Birotte Jr. as the preferred judge, citing his experience managing complex MDL litigation. Plaintiffs argue that lawsuit centralization under 28 U.S.C. §1407 is necessary to address common factual questions, including the Church’s internal abuse policies and its use of clergy-penitent privilege.

This move comes as additional lawsuits are expected to be filed, which some believe underscores the need for a unified judicial approach. This could set the stage for one of the largest sex abuse litigations against a religious institution in U.S. history.

---

Sex Abuse Within the LDS Church

The Mormon Church, officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The LDS Church boasts a worldwide membership of around 15 million, with more than 6.5 million adherents in the United States.

Comparable to other religious institutions like the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church has confronted its own sequence of sexual abuse controversies that have emerged in recent times. Although the Church openly condemns all types of abusive conduct, including sexual, physical, and verbal mistreatment, families have expressed apprehensions regarding the Church’s reluctance to address this matter effectively.

Lately, multiple complainants have accused the Church and various officials of neglecting to protect their children from instances of sexual abuse. Despite some civil trials concluding with undisclosed settlements, the Church’s leadership consistently denies any wrongdoing, seemingly prioritizing safeguarding the institution over attending to the needs of abuse victims.

Should anyone encounter abuse or witness a loved one affected while affiliated with the Mormon Church, seeking legal counsel

might present a potential path to resolution. Engaging with an attorney specialized in cases of Mormon Church sex abuse could offer invaluable guidance and support.

These problems have been going on for a long time:

 

Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Churches

Recently, victims of sexual abuse within a church or involving clergy have had limited recourse. Often, filing a civil lawsuit was unfeasible due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, as too much time had elapsed.

However, contemporary laws are easing this situation. Many states have revised their laws to either remove or extend the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims in civil court. Some states have completely abolished the statute of limitations in lawsuits concerning child sexual abuse. Furthermore, the mounting evidence indicating that church authorities were aware of the abuse and attempted to conceal it has led to the churches themselves becoming viable defendants in such cases.

The spotlight has primarily focused on sexual abuse claims associated with the Catholic Church. While the Catholic Church has been the subject of a significant number of sexual abuse lawsuits, clergy sexual abuse claims extend beyond Catholic institutions. Numerous other religious denominations and organizations have encountered allegations of clergy sexual abuse. Revelations of sexual abuse within the United Methodist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention have brought to light similar issues within these institutions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faces similar challenges.

Who Can File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against the LDS Church?

If you have been the victim of sexual abuse connected to the Mormon Church, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), you may have the right to file a lawsuit and seek financial compensation. Victims of abuse tied to the church can hold the organization accountable, particularly when there is evidence that the church enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent the abuse.

To successfully sue the LDS Church in a sexual abuse case, victims must typically prove two key elements: (1) that the abuse occurred, often by a church member or at a church-sponsored event, and (2) that the church acted negligently, such as by failing to take action after learning about the abuse or by allowing abusers to

remain in positions of trust. Many lawsuits against the Mormon Church also allege systemic issues, such as policies designed to protect the institution rather than victims.

Statute of Limitations for Filing LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

The statute of limitations, or the deadline for filing a lawsuit, is a critical factor in sexual abuse cases. Historically, many victims of childhood sexual abuse have been unable to pursue legal claims because they did not come forward within the required time frame. However, recent legal reforms in several states have opened new opportunities for survivors.

States like California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have extended or eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits in certain circumstances. For example:

• California has enacted “lookback windows,” temporarily removing the statute of limitations for older claims.
• New York implemented the Child Victims Act, which opened a similar window for survivors to file lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred.
• Maryland and Pennsylvania have recently passed or are considering legislation to give survivors more time to seek justice.

These changes make it possible for survivors in these states to file LDS sexual abuse lawsuits, even if the abuse happened decades ago.

How LDS Church Operates Financially

The LDS Church operates under a hierarchical structure, with local bishops managing individual congregations (known as wards), but the central church leadership ultimately directs them.

Sex abuse lawsuits argue that the church used its influence to protect itself rather than address the abuse. It also suggests that the church, by continuing to collect tithes and donations from members in New York while hiding the abuse, financially benefited from these acts. The plaintiffs claim that the church used intimidation tactics to silence victims, further deepening its liability.

One thing is for sure: the LDS Church has a ton of money. It collects billions of dollars annually in tithes from its extremely loyal members. This money is used for church administration, charitable efforts, and major financial investments. The Church established a non-profit entity, Ensign Peak Advisors, which managed a vast investment portfolio reportedly exceeding $100 billion, primarily funded through tithes.

The plaintiffs argue that while the church benefits from tax exemptions as a religious entity, it uses these funds for commercial investments without adequate transparency. This financial backdrop is significant because

it highlights the church’s vast resources, which the plaintiffs’ LDS sex abuse lawsuit says were used to cover up wrongdoing while still profiting from its membership.

Settlement Value of LDS Church Sex Abuse Lawsuits

So how much settlement compensation can victims expect to get in a successful sexual abuse lawsuit against the LDS Church? Sex abuse lawsuits against churches and other institutions generally have a high average settlement value. The Catholic church in the U.S. has paid out over $3 billion in compensation to sexual abuse victims over the years. The average settlement payout in church sex abuse cases is $275,000 to $350,000.

How the Church of Latter-Day Saints Deals with Sex Abuse Settlements

We all recently got an up-close look at how the Latter-day Saints deal with sex abuse cases.  In audio recordings related to a child sex abuse case in Idaho, a director of risk management from the Mormon Church allegedly offered the victim a $300,000 confidentiality agreement, as reported by the Associated Press.

What happened in this LDS sexual abuse lawsuit was a dentist and ex-bishop of the Mormon church was arrested in Mountain Home, Idaho, following accusations by his adult daughter of childhood sexual abuse. The dentist had been brought before his church bishop by family members for confession and was subsequently excommunicated.

A criminal case ensued. But the daughter supposedly did not want to pursue it. So the dentist went back to being a dentist.  The dentist’s daughter and wife claimed that prosecutors indicated they needed the bishop’s testimony about the confession for their case.

The church helped. It reportedly discouraged the bishop from testifying, citing Idaho law, which exempts clergy from reporting crimes confessed in a religious context.

Then in tried to settle any sex abuse lawsuit quietly. In an AP-released recording, the church’s risk management director is heard offering the Idaho dentist’s family $300,000 to avoid suing the church or revealing the payment. This recording was made by a church member who was present to support the victim and

had not agreed to confidentiality.

This

is a bad look. The church tried to defend itself – on Twitter, of all places – that only the perpetrator could waive the privilege that prevented the bishop from testifying.

Settlements and Verdicts in Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

At their core, Mormon sexual abuse lawsuits are about seeking justice for the emotional pain and suffering endured by survivors. The devastating psychological impact of abuse often lasts a lifetime, affecting trust, relationships, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Damages for emotional pain and suffering acknowledge these profound losses. Survivors may be compensated for conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as the ongoing challenges of rebuilding their lives after such trauma. These damages do not take away the pain.  None of these plaintiffs are really made whole. But settlement compensation does provide a measure of relief for the lasting effects of abuse.

Survivors may also recover compensation for medical expenses related to their healing journey. This includes costs for therapy, counseling, psychiatric treatment, and medications necessary to address the trauma caused by the abuse. In severe cases, inpatient care, rehabilitation, or long-term therapy may be required. Both past expenses already incurred and future costs anticipated for ongoing treatment can be included in these damages, ensuring survivors have access to the support they need.

In addition to compensatory damages, some Mormon lawsuits may include punitive damages. These damages are awarded in cases where the church’s actions—or inactions—were particularly egregious. For instance, if the LDS Church concealed abuse or allowed known abusers to remain in positions of trust—and we know for sure this happened in many cases—punitive damages may be awarded to punish the organization and discourage similar misconduct in the future. These damages send a strong message about accountability and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals. They also drive higher settlement amounts in these cases.

Ultimately, the financial compensation awarded in these cases is influenced by the severity of the abuse, the survivor’s long-term needs, and the level of negligence by the LDS Church or its leaders.

Below are some example LDS church sex abuse settlement amounts and jury payouts:

• $950,000 Settlement (California 2024): The Mormon Church paid $995,000 to settle its share of a civil case in which a church member in Lake Elsinore, California, was convicted of sexually molesting a young girl. The abuser spent several years in state prison. The lawsuit alleged that the woman repeatedly told church officials, including local bishops, about the sexual abuse but that they failed to report it to law enforcement in violation of church policy and also used “intimidation and shaming tactics” to keep her from telling anyone outside the church.
• $1,100,000 Settlement (Washington 2024): A 5-year-old boy was sexually abused multiple times by a teenager at an LDS-run preschool. The parents of the victim reported the initial abuse to their LDS bishop. Despite being aware that the same boy had been accused of similar misconduct at least once before, the bishop discouraged the parents from pressing charges.
• $2,280,000,000 Verdict (California 2023):  A California jury awarded $2.28 billion to a woman molested by her stepfather from age 5 to 14. The lawsuit implicated her mother and the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, alleging the church ignored reports of abuse and used intimidation to silence her. The stepfather, arrested in 1997 and imprisoned for three years, failed to appear at the trial. The church and mother settled for $1.2 million combined. The jury awarded $836 million in damages and $1.44 billion in punitive damages against the stepfather.
• $1,000,000 Settlement (California 2023): In this case, the plaintiff alleged that her stepfather subjected her to sexual abuse during social gatherings, meetings, and while on the property of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where they were members. The lawsuit claimed that, despite notifying the church about the abuse, no steps were taken in response. Ultimately, the church opted to resolve the matter through an out-of-court settlement, reaching $1 million.
• $95,000,000 Verdict (New York 2023): An individual in upstate New York received a $95 million settlement after alleging that a Catholic Priest sexually abused him in a car back in 1979. The compensation comprised $50 million in punitive damages imposed on the church for its role in concealing the abuse.
• $19,200,000 Settlement (Pennsylvania 2021): The Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese set up a $19 million fund to provide compensation to victims of clergy sexual abuse. More than 200 individuals filed claims and agreed to the settlement offers within the fund, resulting in an average payout of approximately $86,000.
• $1,000,000 Settlement (Ohio 2020): The victim in this case claimed that a priest sexually abused him six times while attending a Catholic high school, causing him lifelong depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• $34,960,000 Verdict (Montana 2018): A pair of women in this case alleged that a member of their Jehovah’s Witness church congregation sexually abused them as children for over 13 years. They sued the church for covering up the abuse and not reporting the church member to the authorities.

Contact Us About Sex Abuse Lawsuits Against the LDS Church

We are currently seeking new sexual abuse lawsuits against the LDS Church. Contact us today at 800-553-8082 for a free consultation.