Catholic Church Concessions in New York pave the way for Financial Compensation in Washington, D.C.
For decades, survivors of childhood sexual abuse within the Catholic Church were told that too much time had passed and that nothing could be done.
That message is no longer true.
The Yost Legal Group provides legal representation for survivors of childhood sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Washington, navigating new Maryland laws that allow for claims previously barred by time.
Across the United States, Catholic dioceses are being forced to confront long-hidden abuse through civil litigation. In recent months, national and international reporting has confirmed that survivors are coming forward in large numbers and that courts are finally opening their doors.
These developments matter deeply to survivors in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region.
The Yost Legal Group is currently accepting cases from individuals who were sexually abused as minors in Archdiocese of Washington churches. Maryland law now allows survivors to pursue justice even if the abuse occurred decades ago.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused as a minor in an Archdiocese of Washington church or by a member of the clergy, the experienced sexual abuse survivor attorneys at The Yost Legal Group are here to listen and here to help. Call or text us today for a free and confidential consultation at 410-659-6800.
For many survivors, this is the first time the legal system has acknowledged what they endured.
Why Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Cases Are in the News Again in 2026
In late 2025 and early 2026, major news organizations reported that the Archdiocese of New York agreed to mediate approximately 1,300 childhood sexual abuse claims. Church officials also announced the creation of a proposed compensation fund totaling roughly $300 million for survivors.
These reports did not emerge in isolation. They followed years of survivor advocacy and changes in state law that allowed victims to file previously barred claims.
National outlets, including Reuters, ABC News New York, and Ms. Magazine, have all covered the growing pressure facing Catholic institutions worldwide. Their reporting highlights a reality survivors have long understood.
These events are not limited to New York. They reflect a national pattern that now includes Maryland and the Archdiocese of Washington.
When laws change, and survivors are allowed into court, institutional accountability follows.
What the New York Catholic Church Settlements Mean for Maryland Survivors
The New York mediation process shows what happens when survivors are finally given a legal voice.
More than a thousand individuals came forward. Their claims forced one of the largest Catholic dioceses in the country to negotiate publicly and acknowledge the scope of past abuse.
For survivors in Maryland, this moment carries an important message. The Catholic Church abuse crisis was never limited to one city or one generation. It followed the same institutional structure across dioceses worldwide.
Allegations nationwide describe similar failures. Complaints were ignored. Clergy were reassigned. Parishioners were not warned. Children remained at risk.
These are the same issues now being examined in lawsuits involving the Archdiocese of Washington.
While each case is unique, the underlying question remains the same: Did Church leadership fail to protect children when it had the ability to act?
Maryland courts are now empowered to examine that question.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against the Archdiocese of Washington for Childhood Sexual Abuse
Yes. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Washington under the Maryland Child Victims Act.
The law removed time limits that previously prevented survivors from seeking justice. It allows individuals who were sexually abused as children to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred. This includes abuse that took place decades ago.
At present, there is no CVA equivalent in Washington, D.C.’s jurisdiction. However, over 100 parishes among five “territories” are within Maryland’s border. That means Maryland law applies to those situations.
Many survivors assume they no longer have legal options because of their age or the passage of time. Maryland law now says otherwise.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused as a minor in an Archdiocese of Washington church, you may be eligible to pursue a civil claim today. The compassionate attorneys at The Yost Legal Group are here to listen if you are ready to talk. All communication is confidential. All data is private and secure. Call or text today for a free consultation to help you understand your rights: 410-659-6800.
Why the Maryland Child Victims Act Changed Everything
Before the Maryland Child Victims Act, most survivors were legally silenced. They had until their 35th birthday to pursue a legal claim under the previous statute of limitations.
This created an inescapable legal roadblock for survivors. For childhood survivors of sexual abuse, there is a phenomenon called “delayed disclosure.”
“[T]he phenomenon common to survivors of child sex abuse where individuals wait for years, often well into adulthood, before telling anyone they were abused.”
Studies have shown that the average age of a discloser is between 40 and 52 years old. With a statute of limitations capped at 35 years of age, the previous law left thousands of survivors with no recourse.
But the new law created a long overdue opportunity for accountability.
It recognizes that childhood sexual abuse often prevents survivors from speaking out for many years. Trauma does not operate on legal deadlines.
By removing those barriers, Maryland lawmakers acknowledged what survivors and experts have long understood. Justice delayed should not mean justice denied.
This legal change is why survivors are now coming forward across the state. It is also why litigation involving the Archdiocese of Washington is actively moving forward.
Institutional Responsibility and the Role of Civil Litigation
These lawsuits are not about attacking faith. They are about examining institutional conduct.
Civil litigation allows survivors to ask critical questions. What did church leaders know? When did they know it? What actions were taken? What warnings were withheld?
In many Catholic Church abuse cases nationwide, survivors allege that leadership failed to remove known offenders and prioritized reputation over child safety.
Now, Maryland courts have the authority to evaluate those claims.
For many survivors, the goal is not only compensation but also an acknowledgment. It is about accountability, and it is a permanent record that the abuse happened and that survivors’ claims are not meant to be swept under the proverbial rug.
A Worldwide Reckoning Within the Catholic Church
Recent international reporting confirms that the Catholic Church abuse crisis is not confined to the United States.
Around the world, survivors continue to demand accountability through criminal investigations, civil lawsuits, public inquiries, and global media coverage. These developments reinforce a central truth.
The abuse was systemic. The silence was institutional.
As this reckoning unfolds globally, survivors in Maryland are part of that same movement toward truth and justice.
The difference now is that Maryland law finally gives them the legal tools to act.
The Yost Legal Group Is Accepting Archdiocese of Washington Abuse Cases
The Yost Legal Group is currently accepting cases involving childhood sexual abuse in Archdiocese of Washington churches.
Our firm represents survivors with care, discretion, and respect. We understand how difficult it can be to speak about abuse, especially when it occurred within a trusted religious environment.
– You do not need documentation to contact us.
– You do not need to have reported the abuse previously.
– You do not need to be certain about your legal options.
– You do not need to be certain about your legal options.
A confidential consultation can help you understand your rights under Maryland law.
Speaking with an attorney does not obligate you to take legal action. It simply gives you information and support. If you are ready to talk, the experienced legal team at The Yost Legal Group is here to listen.
It Is Not Too Late to Seek Justice
Many survivors carry guilt or shame that never belonged to them. Responsibility lies with abusers and the institutions that knowingly harbor them and fail to protect children.
The recent Catholic Church settlements reported nationwide show that survivors are finally being heard. They also show that accountability is possible when the legal system allows it.
If you were sexually abused as a minor in an Archdiocese of Washington church, you have rights today that did not exist for most of your life.
<div>You deserve answers. You deserve dignity. You deserve the opportunity to be heard. A national reckoning is underway. For survivors in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. region, that moment has arrived.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused as a minor in an Archdiocese of Washington church or by a clergy member, you may have a case and be entitled to significant compensation. The experienced attorneys at The Yost Legal Group are pursuing serious litigation against the Catholic Church on behalf of survivors. All consultations are free and confidential. Call or text today at 410-659-6800.
Frequently Asked Questions: Archdiocese of Washington Claims
1. Is it too late to file a lawsuit for abuse that happened decades ago?
No. Under the Maryland Child Victims Act, the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse has been eliminated. This means survivors can file a civil claim regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred, even if the window was previously closed.
2. What is the “Revival Window” in Maryland?
The law created a permanent revival of claims. If you were previously told you were “too old” to sue (the old limit was age 38), that barrier no longer exists. You have the legal right to seek justice against the Archdiocese and individual perpetrators now.
3. Are there caps on the compensation I can receive?
As of June 1, 2025, Maryland law updated the damages caps. For cases filed against private institutions (like the Catholic Church) after this date, non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are capped at $700,000. However, there is typically no cap on economic damages, such as medical bills or lost wages.
4. Can I keep my identity private during the legal process?
Yes. Experienced sexual abuse attorneys can file “Doe” lawsuits to protect your privacy and use protective orders to ensure sensitive information remains confidential throughout the litigation.
5. Who can be held liable besides the individual abuser?
Under the CVA, you can hold the institution accountable. This includes the Archdiocese of Washington if they knowingly allowed, ignored, or concealed the abuse. Claims often focus on negligent hiring, failure to supervise, and failure to report.
