LDS Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a legal obligation to protect its members, particularly children. When Church leaders prioritize institutional protection over victim safety, they can be held legally accountable. Liability for religious institutions can arise from negligent supervision, premises liability, and breach of fiduciary duty. In states with mandatory clergy reporting laws, failing to report known or suspected abuse to authorities adds further liability. These laws vary by state, and no religious institution is exempt from these responsibilities.

Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass: Representing Survivors of Mormon Church Abuse Nationwide

Survivors of religious institution abuse bear the weight of speaking out against a community that shaped their lives. As such, we approach every survivor with the sensitivity, discretion, and respect these cases demand.

Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass is a national trial firm built for high-stakes, complex litigation. Our attorneys have secured multiple eight-figure verdicts and have tried more than 127 cases to verdict across 36 states. When you work with us, you get a team that investigates every angle of your claim, handles all contact with Church representatives and opposing counsel, and prepares your case for trial from day one.

man sitting at table while in suit writing down notes

The Scope Of The Crisis

What has emerged from investigations and litigation is the story of a system deliberately designed to protect the institution at the expense of the people it was supposed to serve.

Here are some key points:

Since 1995, the LDS Church operated a confidential "Bishop Helpline,” a hotline that clergy were instructed to call when members disclosed abuse. Rather than connecting victims to authorities or services, calls were routed to attorneys at the Church's law firm, Kirton McConkie, who invoked the attorney-client privilege to keep the disclosures secret and advised bishops not to contact law enforcement.
A landmark Associated Press investigation published in 2022 exposed this system in detail, revealing how the Church employed a risk-management strategy to handle abuse disclosures; they did not consider the victims above all else. Audio recordings obtained by the AP documented Church attorneys advising bishops not to report known abuse to civil authorities, citing clergy-penitent privilege.
In 2023, courts in Arizona ruled that the clergy-penitent privilege shielded Church leaders from mandatory reporting requirements—a ruling critics said effectively allowed churches to conceal crimes against children. In one documented case, that legal shield allowed an abuser to continue victimizing his daughters for seven years after bishops first learned of the abuse.

What Type Of Legal Claim Is This?

LDS Church abuse claims fall under personal injury tort law, specifically intentional tort and institutional negligence. Depending on the number of plaintiffs, these cases may be structured as mass tort litigation, coordinating individual lawsuits for efficiency while keeping each plaintiff's case and recovery separate.

Negligent Supervision

The Church had a duty to supervise the leaders, clergy, and volunteers it placed in positions of authority over members, particularly minors
When it failed to implement safeguards, ignored warning signs, or retained individuals known to pose a risk, it became legally liable for the harm that followed

Concealment of Abuse

Actively concealing abuse disclosures, routing reports through legal counsel to avoid mandatory reporting requirements, and suppressing evidence constitute independent wrongdoing
This is separate from the underlying abuse itself

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

A religious institution holds a profound position of trust with its members
When Church leaders exploited that trust—or allowed others to exploit it—rather than protect the people in their care, they breached a duty the law recognizes and enforces

Mandatory Reporter Violations

In many states, clergy are legally required to report known or suspected child abuse to law enforcement
The LDS Church's documented practice of suppressing those reports through its Bishop Helpline system may constitute a direct violation of mandatory reporting laws and a basis for significant liability

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In LDS abuse cases, civil liability can extend well beyond the person who committed the abuse. Parties who may bear legal responsibility include:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for systemic negligence and concealment
Local leadership, such as the bishops, branch presidents, and stake presidents who received reports and failed to act
Church legal entities and subsidiaries that directed or facilitated the suppression of abuse disclosures
Individual abusers who committed the acts
Any third party whose negligent supervision or failure to report enabled ongoing abuse

What You May Be Entitled to Recover

Survivors of LDS Church abuse may be entitled to compensation for:

Past and future medical expenses, including psychological treatment and therapy
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Costs associated with ongoing rehabilitation and counseling

Punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the defendant's conduct was especially egregious, as is often the case when institutions deliberately conceal abuse.

Do You Have a Valid Claim?

You may be entitled to pursue legal action if you experienced any of the following within an LDS Church context:

Sexual abuse or assault by an LDS bishop, branch president, stake president, or other Church leader
Abuse committed by a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or Church volunteer
Abuse that occurred at an LDS church building, youth camp, or Church-sponsored activity
Abuse that was reported to Church leadership but never referred to law enforcement
Abuse that was actively covered up or concealed by Church officials
Abuse sustained as a minor participating in LDS youth programs, including Young Men, Young Women, Primary, or similar programs

Statutes of limitations vary by state, and many states have extended or eliminated filing deadlines specifically for childhood sexual abuse claims. Even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago, a valid claim may still exist.

Steps To Take: What To Do If You Were Abused Within The LDS Church

The LDS Church is one of the wealthiest religious institutions in the world, with extensive legal resources dedicated to defending against abuse claims. Survivors who attempt to navigate this process alone face an enormous imbalance of power, but an experienced trial attorney can level the playing field.

We suggest the following:

1. Seek medical and psychological support.

Your health comes first
Pursuing treatment also creates contemporaneous medical records that support your legal claim

2. Contact an attorney before anyone else.

Do not contact the Church, Church representatives, or insurance adjusters before speaking with a lawyer
Anything you say can and will be used against your claim

3. Document what you remember.

Write down everything you recall
Include the abuser's name, your age at the time, the location, any witnesses, and whether you or anyone else reported the abuse to Church leadership

4. Preserve any existing records.

Do not destroy anything
Save any written communications, emails, journal entries, or other documents that relate to the abuse or any reports you made

5. Understand your deadline.

Statutes of limitations for sexual abuse claims vary significantly by state
Many states have recently extended or suspended those deadlines for childhood abuse

6. Call Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass.

We will evaluate your claim at no cost, explain your legal options, and tell you exactly where you stand

Coming Forward Takes Courage. Let Us Handle Everything That Comes Next.

Institutional abuse cases are unlike any other personal injury claim. They require a firm that understands how powerful organizations conceal wrongdoing, how to penetrate privilege claims and extract buried evidence, and how to present a survivor's story to a jury in a way that demands accountability.

Attorney Josh Bauer has dedicated a significant portion of his practice to representing survivors of institutional sexual abuse. He has represented thousands of former Boy Scouts in abuse claims filed in the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy proceedings, litigated cases under newly enacted state lookback window laws, and secured favorable outcomes for clients who experienced clergy-related trauma. He knows precisely how these institutions operate, how they defend these claims, and how to dismantle those defenses.

Brett Turnbull founded this firm on a collaborative model, assembling attorneys with complementary strengths in case investigation, discovery, expert development, and trial presentation. That model was built for cases exactly like these: cases where the opponent is sophisticated, well-funded, and experienced at making victims disappear quietly.

We don't let that happen.

Call (888) 488-9616 for a free, confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

FAQ

How long do I have to file an LDS Church abuse claim?

The statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims, particularly childhood sexual abuse, varies significantly from state to state. Many states have passed legislation in recent years extending or entirely eliminating those deadlines for survivors of childhood abuse. This means that even if your abuse occurred decades ago, you may still have a valid claim.

Does it matter which state the abuse occurred in?

Yes. The applicable laws, including statutes of limitations, mandatory reporting requirements, and the standards for institutional liability, differ by state. Our attorneys are licensed in 10 states and have handled cases across 36, and we are well-versed in navigating those differences on behalf of our clients.

Is this a class action lawsuit?

Not necessarily. LDS Church abuse cases can be filed as individual civil claims or, depending on the circumstances, as part of coordinated mass tort litigation. Unlike class action lawsuits, mass tort cases keep each plaintiff's claim separate, meaning your recovery is based on your individual damages, not divided among a group.

Disclaimer: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. — Alabama Rule of Professional Conduct 7.2(e)

Client Testimonials What Our Clients Say

They actually know what they’re doing, and they do it well. Client Injured in Georgia

Came to Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, PC after working with an attorney who didn’t know what he was doing. Working with Turnbull was a huge breath of fresh air after that experience. They...

This firm has done an outstanding job helping me Client Injured in Alabama

This firm has done an outstanding job helping me with the legal services I needed. They took extremely good care of me and were straight to the point about every par...

Very caring, very professional Client Injured in Alabama

Very caring, very professional and made me feel like I choose the right people for the job. Anytime I call answered my call right away or call back the same day. Great people.

Everyone at the Firm was extremely helpful and understanding Client Injured in Alabama

The Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, PC has been recommended to me by my friend and I couldn’t be happier with his choice. Everyone at the Firm was extremely helpful and understanding, check...

I really love the expertise of this firm. Client Injured in Georgia

I really love the expertise of this firm. They are forward in the aspect of your case They answered all my questions truthfully, honestly. Being patient with this firm got me great results. I would...

In mid-March this year, my car was rearended pretty badly by another car at an intersection here in Atlanta, GA, causing hefty damage to my car and head concussion and neck/spine pain in me. I&rsqu...

Turnbull Ĺaw firm was a life saving for me and my family. The work ethic, the soft but very firm hand handling the case and the reassurance and constant comunicación we had always made me feel I had s...

I had never hired a lawyer prior to this experience. I was extremely nervous and overwhelmed with the process of choosing one. Will came recommended from several sources I reached out to. He made the ...

Bobby and Whitney were absolutely compassionate and very helpful. We had a very difficult case, but Bobby went above and beyond to take it and get us justice. He was always available if I needed a que...

Will Lattimore was extremely responsive, an excellent communicator, very professional, has high integrity, and did what he said he was going to do. I highly recommend Will and his firm if you have a l...

My initial feeling after speaking with Ashley was relief; I was confident she had what it took to get the absolute best outcome in our fight for justice for our little man! There was never a moment I ...

There are no words that can express how thankful I am for Drew Haskins and the team at Turnbull Law. Over the last two years, they constantly fought for me, stayed honest, and continued checking on my...

Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass ,PC is an amazing law firm they are very professional and are always checking to see if you okay, keeping you informed on how your case is going it’s not enou...

Courteous, Tenacious, Professional and attention to detail Client

Courteous, Tenacious, Professional and attention to detail in a calming manner is how I would describe Will Lattimore, the attorney assigned to me. I had a major surgical procedure done last year t...

I had a problem getting a big insurance company to pay me for one of their clients mistake. They refused to. But within a few days of my having hired Turnbull law firm, the insurance company changed t...

So thankful I went with Turnbull Law Firm Client Injured in Alabama

So thankful I went with Turnbull Law Firm to represent me during my time of need. Will Lattimore went above and beyond during the whole process. He was eager to come to my house when I wasn’t...

Thank you for all you did for my family !!!! You all were very kind ! And treated me with respect and was very knowledgeable about the case the whole time ! I have recommended you all to my friends an...

Hands down the best I’ve dealt with by far and definitely got me back way more than expected and I’m highly grateful of the results their communication skills with me on my settlement was very consist...

Ashley Mitchell is highly knowledgeable and dealt with the defense attorney with ease. She is an excellent representative for legal services and I highly recommend her.

Omg guys….First of all-thank you so much! Second of all- just one” thanks” is not enough !! I worked with a few attorneys and law firms in my life, but it’s probably the se...

If you are looking for a law firm to represent you for an injury, brain injury case in a daycare like we did, then you should highly consider the attorneys at Turnbull, Moak and Pendergrass. We wer...

Thank you so much for all of your help Client Injured in Alabama

After my car accident in 2020 life for my family turned upside-down. Everything, every movement every action took so much effort and thought, nothing about our life was easy anymore. I hired Tim Ho...

So incredibly kind, hardworking, and intentional. You’ll leave with a smile, a wave, and knowing they got the job done. Thanks again peeps

I’ve had a great experience with this law firm. Client Injured in Alabama

I’ve had a great experience with this law firm. They kept me updated throughout the process and answered all of my questions in a timely fashion. Would definitely recommend them.

If you are seeking a great law firm this one is highly recommended. Clients from Georgia

We heard about Ashley through word of mouth and I am so happy we did! She has been absolutely phenomenal to work with. My parents passed away in a trucking accident and through a devastating time A...

I really love the expertise of this firm. Client Injured in Georgia

This law firm is absolutely by far the best ever in my eyes. I am so thankful to have been able to work with you’all through this journey. I couldn’t of asked for a better group people to be on my sid...

The Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, PC has been recommended to me by my friend and I couldn’t be happier with his choice. Everyone at the Firm was extremely helpful and understanding, check...

Very caring very professional and made me feel like I choose the right people for the job. Anytime I call answered my call right away or call back the same day. Great people.

This firm has done an outstanding job helping me with the legal services I needed. They took extremely good care of me and were straight to the point about every part of the process. I 10/10 will reco...

I had a problem getting a big insurance company to pay me for one of their client’s mistake. They refused to. But within a few days of my having hired Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, PC, th...

When the pressure is on, you want these guys in your corner. Rustin Smith, Smith Hulsey Law

Nationally-recognized trial lawyers who handle high stakes personal injury, products liability, mass tort, and medical malpractice cases. When the pressure is on, you want these guys in your corner...

They were timely, well prepared and a class act. Ed Ortega, Esq.

They were timely, well prepared and a class act. They had a good in-depth understanding of the facts of the case and communicated well to the jury.

I’ve seen them take on the biggest companies and win big for their clients. National Trial Consultant

As a national trial consultant, I know good lawyers, and these lawyers are some of the very best I’ve seen. I’ve seen them take on the biggest companies and win big for their clients.

Speak to an Attorney