Michigan Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Overview: Child Sexual Abuse in Michigan Religious Institutions
The sexual abuse of children by trusted authority figures, including members of the clergy, is a widespread problem. Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn is currently investigating child sexual abuse cases in Michigan, with a focus on sexual abuse by members of the clergy. This follows recent investigations that revealed hundreds of reports of abuse across all seven Catholic dioceses in Michigan, alongside active legislative efforts to reform the state’s statute of limitations.
Impact and Harms
Survivors of child sexual abuse often experience long-lasting trauma, including:
- Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Issues with substance use.
- Prolonged silence for months, years, or decades due to heavy societal stigma.
Current Litigation & Legislative Status
Michigan Attorney General Investigation
The Catholic Church in Michigan has been under investigation since 2018 by the Michigan Attorney General’s office for child sexual abuse occurring over the past 75 years. As of June 2026, official reports cover allegations across the Diocese of Marquette, Diocese of Saginaw, Diocese of Grand Rapids, Diocese of Kalamazoo, and Diocese of Lansing. At least 207 priests have been accused of abusing minors through the misuse of clerical authority in churches, schools, and religious institutions.
Statute of Limitations Updates (“Justice for Survivors” Package)
Michigan currently requires survivors to file claims before their 28th birthday or within three years of discovering the abuse—a narrow window that has expired for many.
- July 2026 Reintroduction: The “Justice for Survivors” bill was reintroduced, seeking to extend claim eligibility until a survivor turns 48, introduce a one-year “revival window” for previously expired claims, and eliminate time limits entirely when an abuser has been criminally convicted.
- Status: The bill remains pending. Our office continues to monitor legislative developments in Michigan.
Diocese Bankruptcy Status
As of August 2026, no diocese in Michigan has filed for bankruptcy. If a diocese files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize finances during litigation, a court-appointed committee of survivors will evaluate diocesan assets and negotiate settlement plans.
Who Qualifies to File a Claim?
If you or a loved one survived sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, extern, or religious-order member under the authority of the Archdiocese of Detroit or any Diocese of Michigan, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit. At present, your eligibility may be affected by current statutes of limitations, though changes to the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Michigan have been proposed in recent bills and are expected to pass soon.
What Can I Expect If I Pursue a Claim?
Starting a lawsuit against a powerful religious institution requires legal strategies designed to expose hidden truths. At Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, our process is designed to protect your peace of mind while we fight for justice.
- Confidential Investigation: Your initial consultation is completely private. We evaluate the facts, track the movement of “extern” priests, and cross-reference the Attorney General’s database.
- Holding the Institution Liable: We pursue claims based on negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and failure to warn.
- Contingency Fee Structure: We operate on a contingency fee basis; you owe nothing upfront, and our attorneys are only compensated if they win your case.
Why Choose NGRV?
Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, PLLC is a national plaintiffs’ law firm with over 50 years of combined experience representing individuals harmed by powerful corporate and institutional defendants. NGRV has a dedicated team of trauma-informed attorneys that specialize in litigating sexual abuse cases against large institutional and corporate defendants, including founding partner Marlene Goldenberg who has been court-appointed by a federal judge to lead the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Uber Sexual Assault Litigation.
- 50+ Years of Combined Experience: Representing individuals harmed by powerful corporate and institutional defendants nationwide.
- Trauma-Informed Practice: Dedicated attorneys specializing in litigating sexual abuse cases against large institutional and corporate defendants.
- Leadership Experience: Founding partner Marlene Goldenberg was court-appointed by a federal judge to lead the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Uber Sexual Assault Litigation.
- Dedicated Legal Team: Attorneys Marlene Goldenberg, Sam Hoefs, and Zoe Anderson-Miller handle complex sexual abuse litigation involving churches and corporations every day and work closely with survivors to tell their stories and seek accountability.
