More Than 800 Million Dollars to Resolve Claims From 1,300 Survivors of Clergy and Lay Leader Abuse
NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Herman Law, representing approximately 260 survivors of sexual abuse by clergy members and lay leaders of the Archdiocese of New York, the second largest group of plaintiffs in the case, announced today that a settlement has been reached resolving claims brought by more than 1,300 survivors against the Archdiocese.
Under the terms of the agreement, each survivor will have the option to receive a lump sum payment of at least 250,000 dollars or pursue a potentially larger payout following an individual review of the abuse they suffered. The settlement, valued at more than 800 million dollars, will be formally signed by the plaintiffs, their counsel, and representatives of the Archdiocese in early November.
The agreement also requires the Archdiocese to publish, and keep updated, a public list of clergy members and lay leaders who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse.
“Our clients waited decades to be heard. Tonight they finally were,” said Jeff Herman, Founding and Managing Partner of Herman Law. “This settlement is not just about money. The Archdiocese is now required to publish the names of its abusers and keep that list current. That protects children going forward, and it is long overdue.”
The settlement is among the largest reached by a Catholic institution in the United States, following similar agreements by the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in recent years.
“This is one of the largest abuse settlements in the history of the Catholic Church in America,” Herman said. “It sends a clear message to every diocese still hiding behind bankruptcy and secrecy. For our clients, this is closure. It is justice, vindication, and validation that is long overdue.”
To learn more about Herman Law’s work representing survivors of sexual abuse, visit HermanLaw.com.
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About Herman Law
Herman Law is a plaintiff side law firm representing survivors of institutional sexual abuse, with offices in New York, California, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida. Founded and led by Jeff Herman for more than 25 years, the firm represents survivors in more than 5,000 cases against religious institutions, school districts, foster care systems, residential facilities, and youth organizations nationwide. To learn more, visit HermanLaw.com.
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SOURCE Herman Law
