Survivors of sexual abuse by Father Anthony Joseph Maskell are filing lawsuits and holding the Archdiocese of Baltimore legally responsible for their medical expenses, losses, and emotional distress. Many survivors have already credibly accused Father Maskell of rape, assault, and other sexual abuse.
If you believe you may have a clergy sexual abuse case against Father Joseph Maskell, a law firm accepting these cases can help you. You have rights and may be able to recover compensation based on the abuse you endured.
Credible Accusations Against Father Joseph Maskell
Father Maskell was ordained as a priest in 1965. He continued working in the Catholic Church in Maryland for almost 30 years. This included working as a counselor for young students in several Catholic schools. At one time, he served as chaplain at Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore. Because of this position, he features prominently in the 2017 Netflix docuseries “The Keepers.”
Documents the Maryland Office of the Attorney General compiled show that numerous survivors provided detailed credible allegations against Father Maskell at the school, all of which occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. These accusations include rape, sexual assault, drugging, and threats of violence. Some survivors detailed abuse involving a second perpetrator, including Father Edward Neil Magnus, a priest and counselor at the high school.
In addition to working with several schools, Father Maskell’s known assignments include:
- Assistant, Sacred Heart of Mary, Baltimore, 1965-1966
- Assistant, St. Clement, Lansdowne, MD, 1966-1968
- Associate Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Baltimore, 1968-1970
- Part-time Chaplain, Archbishop Keough High School, Baltimore, 1969-1970
- Counselor, Archbishop Keough High School, Baltimore, 1970-1975
- Assistant, St. Clement, Lansdowne, MD, 1970-1975
- Psychological Services, Archdiocese Division of Catholic Schools Assistant, St. Clement, Lansdowne, MD, 1975-1980
- Associate Pastor, Annunciation, Baltimore, MD, 1980-1982
- Pastor, Holy Cross, Baltimore, MD, 1982-1992
- Administrator, St. Augustine, Elkridge, MD, 1993-1994
There were concerns about Father Maskell’s behavior as early as 1966 when questions were raised about his behavior around children. In all, there are at least 39 credible accusations made against him.
According to reports from WBAL-TV, the Archdiocese of Baltimore removed the priest from his role in 1994 but continued to provide financial support. He suffered a stroke and died in 2001 at age 62.
What Should I Do If I Am a Survivor of Sexual Abuse by Father Joseph Maskell?
If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse and have not received justice through a civil case, a lawyer handling claims against the Archdiocese of Baltimore and other negligent parties can help.
Clergy sexual abuse lawyers will meet with survivors for free. These are confidential case consultations, where they assess the strength of your case, discuss the process, and answer your questions. You should contact an attorney accepting these cases even if you are not certain you want to move forward with your claim at this time.
There is documentation of sexual abuse perpetrated by Father Maskell and more than 150 other clergy members in the area. Your attorney can identify evidence to support your allegations, explain how they can develop a compelling case, and proceed with your claim or lawsuit. Attorneys often include survivor videos as evidence in clergy sexual abuse cases when possible.
Recent Changes in Maryland Law Make It Possible to Pursue Damages
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office spent four years gathering evidence that uncovered sexual abuse accusations against 156 clergy members within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The allegations come from more than 600 child victims, although there are likely many more that investigators did not interview while building their report.
This report includes detailed information about Father Maskell, the allegations against him, and how the Archdiocese responded.
The report stems from interviews with more than 300 victims, dozens of witnesses, and others. Unfortunately, the allegations of Baltimore clergy abuse were credible and widespread. They came from men and women; for some, the abuse was relatively recent, while others suffered abuse decades ago. Many survivors had never shared their stories before these interviews.
This report played a role in April 2023 legislation passed in Maryland, The Child Victims Act of 2023. This law makes it possible for survivors to seek justice years later, even if their statute of limitations previously expired. This law:
- Defines child sexual abuse in civil cases to include not only the perpetrator but also those who allow or ignore it
- Eliminates the statute of limitations on civil clergy sexual abuse cases
- Permits retroactive sexual abuse lawsuits for those whose filing window previously expired
- Raises the cap on recoverable damages, including eliminating all limits on economic damages
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
For many survivors, recovering compensation is not the goal of pursuing a case against the Catholic Church or Archdiocese of Baltimore. Instead, they want justice and to hold the negligent parties liable and ensure this does not happen to other children. However, a lawsuit, settlement, judgment, or verdict also gets you the compensation you need for the expenses and losses incurred because of the abuse.
The value of a payout could vary greatly depending on the case facts and evidence. However, the types of damages generally include:
- Past and current medical expenses, such as therapy and mental health care
- Past and present income losses and diminished ability to earn
- Past and present pain and suffering
Discuss Your Case With One of Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers for Free
At Jenner Law, our attorneys are seeking Maryland clergy abuse cases, fighting for justice for survivors. We represent a wide range of clients, including those who endured abuse from Father Maskell. There are several credible accusations against him, many of which emerged before his death in 2001.
Contact us now for your free, confidential case assessment. Our attorneys provide a no-obligation consultation for survivors who want to know more about their rights and options based on the trauma and abuse they endured.