From 1995–2002, Eric Price was a lay teacher at Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School, Our Lady of Pompei High School, and Our Lady of Pompei Church in Maryland. From 2002 to 2006, he taught at Archbishop Borders Elementary School in Baltimore. In 2006, a man reported to the Archdiocese of Baltimore that Price sexually abused him at Our Lady of Pompei in the mid-1990s when he was 14 years old. The man said the abuse continued until he was 15 or 16.
Price may have sexually abused others, so if you or someone you know was abused by Price, a cleric, or another individual working for or associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, you can contact a clergy sexual abuse attorney right away who can fight for justice and accountability on your behalf.
The Sexual Abuse Perpetrated by Eric Price
The man who credibly accused Teacher Eric Price of sexual abuse stated that Deacon Thomas Kuhl had also abused him. Kuhl taught religion and was a choir director at Towson Catholic High School.
According to the man, he was invited to Kuhl’s home for dinner, where Price was also present. During this visit, Price and Kuhl sexually abused the teen. The abuse continued for about one year. When the Archdiocese questioned Kuhl about the allegations, he denied abusing the man as a teen. Despite this, Kuhl and Price were ultimately removed from their roles.
Furthermore, the Archdiocese submitted a mandated report to law enforcement, published an official statement, sent correspondence to parents and parishioners, and held public meetings.
Maryland Changes Laws Regarding Child Sex Abuse Cases
In April 2023, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office published a lengthy report about rampant abuse occurring within the church. It found that 156 clergy members abused at least 600 children while representing the church in some capacity. The AG’s office believes there are many more unidentified survivors.
It also alleges the Archdiocese regularly covered up many credible accusations. The AG’s office found that the Archdiocese dismissed reports of abuse and did not investigate complaints or attempt to identify other survivors.
It “transferred known abusers to other positions of equal authority and access to children. They focused not on protecting victims or stopping the abuse, but rather on ensuring at all costs that the abuse be kept hidden,” the investigation found.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore Released a Report of Accused Clergy Members in 2002
While the Maryland Attorney General’s Office released its report in 2023, the Archdiocese of Baltimore has long been aware of the predatory nature of some of its clergy members. In September 2002, the Archdiocese of Baltimore published a list of 57 living priests and religious brothers who had been accused of child sexual abuse in their lifetime.
More individuals have been added to this list since 2002. This was due to them later receiving an allegation of child sexual abuse or because they were identified publicly regarding an allegation.
What Damages Are Recoverable for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse?
Survivors who suffered child sexual abuse can seek to hold parties liable for expenses and losses they endured. Severe psychological, emotional, and sometimes medical conditions are associated with child sexual abuse. You may be entitled to compensation for the following and more:
- Medical, therapy, and/or counseling expenses related to the abuse
- Loss of income and lost earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions related to the abuse
The liable clergy member(s) and the religious organization that allowed them to practice may be ordered to compensate you for additional damages. A Baltimore clergy sexual abuse attorney can investigate your case, gather and review case-supporting evidence, assess your financial and non-financial damages, negotiate a settlement, and file a lawsuit for your damages. Do not feel as though you need to handle this alone.
What Laws Might Affect My Case Against Teacher Eric Price of Our Lady of Pompei High School?
After the release of the Maryland Attorney General Office’s 400-page report on the culture of abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore passed The Child Victims Act of 2023. This Act removed the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse and redefined child sexual abuse concerning civil actions.
How the Removal of the Statute of Limitations Can Affect You
In 2017, Maryland changed the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases. This change gave survivors until their 38th birthday to file a civil action. While this allowed many more survivors to come forward, others still could not hold their abusers accountable.
The Child Victims Act of 2023 erases the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse entirely. This means you or a loved one can file a lawsuit regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. The Act is also retroactive. This means if you previously could not file a lawsuit because of an expired statute of limitations, you can now take legal action.
Redefining Child Sexual Abuse Allows Survivors to Hold Those Who Allowed the Abuse Responsible
The Act redefines child sexual abuse as anyone who allows or encourages the abuse of a child. This allows survivors to hold liable their abusers and the Archdiocese or school that allowed the abuse to occur.
This can especially benefit survivors who could not seek justice against their abusers.
Consult With Jenner Law Today for Help
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse, we urge you to speak to a legal professional at Jenner Law to learn how we can protect your rights and hold your abuser accountable for their actions. We understand the lasting effects sexual abuse can have on a survivor’s life. We also know they deserve the utmost respect and support that can help them heal from the abuse they endured.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step in getting justice and compensation. Our team is here for you every step of the way.