James R. Clark had been a teacher at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School since 2002 and became principal in 2019. He was arrested on two counts of sexual conduct against a child in the second degree.
St. Paul Lutheran Church and School is an accredited elementary school in Batavia, New York, where James R. Clark worked and sexually assaulted children. Andreozzi + Foote filed a lawsuit against St. Paul Lutheran Church and School on behalf of a minor child whom James R Clark sexually assaulted. He is being charged with sexual assault. The sexual assaults allegedly took place over three years.
The lawsuit alleges that before the abuse of this victim, the administration was on notice that Clark had previously engaged in inappropriate conduct with other students and failed in their duty to take meaningful action to ensure the safety of all students.
“When institutions fail to protect children from sexual abuse, they must be held accountable. We are hopeful that this lawsuit will allow our client to obtain some form of justice.” Stated Nate Foote, Attorney.
The lawsuit brings several claims under Title IX: negligence, gross negligence, gross negligence, and reckless hiring/retention/supervision of employees, agents, and contractors, negligence, Grossly Negligent, and Reckless Hiring/Retention/Supervision of Employees, Agents, and Contractors, Negligence Gross Negligence, and Recklessness.
Andreozzi + Foote lawyers offer experience and a trauma-informed approach when seeking justice for our clients.
How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They May Have Experienced From James R. Clark?
There are many misunderstandings about why a survivor of sexual abuse would choose to file a civil lawsuit. Child sexual abuse takes away so much from the survivors and families impacted. Our society still struggles to find ways to repair the harm done by individual perpetrators and institutions that have covered up child sexual abuse.
Filing a civil case can be an essential step for survivors and their families in their journey to slowly rebuild their lives and create pathways to healing. Motivation for filing a civil suit is often questioned and unfairly stereotyped as being “all about money. Filing a civil lawsuit can cast survivors as “money hungry” and is weaponized to shame and blame them even more. This couldn’t be further from the truth for survivors of child sexual abuse. The civil justice system offers victims more than just monetary benefits. It gives survivors access to justice, validation, exposure, confrontation, and ultimately some resolution. The resolution allows survivors of sexual abuse to understand and process what happened and create a new path forward without confusion, questions, and fear.
Can I File A Lawsuit Against the School?
Yes. You may have rights if you were a victim of James R. Clark while he was employed at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School.
Andreozzi + Foote is a leading sexual abuse law firm in New York. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss your possible legal rights.
We know it can be hard to talk about these experiences. Our compassionate school sexual abuse lawyers are here to listen and provide knowledgeable legal guidance. We provide free, confidential case evaluations where you can learn more about your rights and options under your state’s laws.
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