Covington Pastor Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Child

On October 12, 2023, FBI agents arrested a pastor from Covington, Kentucky, who has been charged with sexually abusing a child. The pastor, named Jose Luis Lopez-Hernandez, was located in Salinas, California and is currently waiting to be extradited back to Kentucky. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 859-292-2242 or the Cincinnati/NKY Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.

Lopez-Hernandez is a pastor with the Ministerio Jesus Liberta Church in Covington. According to allegations made by the victim, this is where the abuse took place, sometime during late September. At the time of his arrest, the pastor was on a missionary trip in California. He was due back in Kentucky last week, but skipped his flight and remained in Salinas.

At this time, we are still waiting for details, including the specific acts of abuse and how such incidents were allowed to happen in the first place. Was this child Lopez-Hernandez’s first victim, or did he have a history of inappropriate conduct with underage church members? Chances are, the pastor has a long list of victims in various locations throughout the county, and possibly, overseas. After all, he was on a missionary trip when he was arrested, so it’s more than a possibility that he was abusing children in Salinas and other cities in California.

If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Jose Luis Lopez-Hernandez, please contact us to discuss the possibility of a child sexual assault lawsuit. If there are numerous victims, we can also help you explore the option of joining a class action lawsuit for sexual abuse at a church.

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Can I Sue a Church if I was Sexually Abused by Jose Luis Lopez-Hernandez?

Yes, you can sue a church or any other religious organization for sexual abuse if they failed in their duty of care to protect you from an abuser. Of course, church officials are able to predict incidents abuse ahead of time, but there are specific actions they have to take by law when they become aware of child sexual abuse. For example, police must be contacted immediately, along with the child’s parents or guardians. While an investigation is pending, the accused individual must be removed from the premises to ensure the victim’s safety.

Religious organizations can also take preventative measures, like running background checks, which is a fairly simple process nowadays. This is particularly important when you consider that many churches move child sexual offenders to other locations to distance themselves from sexual abuse allegations. In essence, they are avoiding the issue altogether and enabling the abuser, who is now free to continue their acts of sexual exploitation. These are acts of negligence and deliberate misconduct, which would give you the right to sue Ministerio Jesus Liberta Church or another religious organization.

As an adult survivor of child sexual abuse or someone whose child has been abused, you most likely have questions about how to file a claim for monetary damages. The sexual assault lawsuit attorneys of Normandie are dedicated to victims’ rights and going after individuals that turn a blind eye to the suffering of children. We are ready to fight for you and the settlement you deserve, so please give us a call to learn how we can assist you.

Class Action Lawsuit for Childhood Sexual Assault Victims

As we’ve mentioned, it’s likely that Jose Luis Lopez-Hernandez has been abusing children for many years. And there’s a good chance that he’s not the only member of his church to engage in sexual activities with underage congregants. In our experience as sexual assault attorneys, we find that these incidents go on for many years, even if victims file a formal complaint with church officials.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a pastor, you may be interested in starting a class action or joining an existing lawsuit with others. Having multiple victims in one lawsuit is an effective strategy, as it’s harder for the defendant to fight back against such damning evidence. It’s also worth noting that sexual abuse class actions lawsuits have a high success rate, meaning that the case is likely to be settled in your favor.

On the other hand, class actions often take longer than personal injury lawsuits (filing on your own) due to additional procedures that are required by the court. Furthermore, those with severe injuries or unique circumstances may not want to participate in a class action, where a single compensation award is split among all the participants.

Whether you should file a sexual assault class action lawsuit is a subject you will need to discuss with an experienced attorney. To schedule a free consultation with a class action lawsuit lawyer, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.

Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Average Case Value

A child sexual abuse lawsuit is worth $500,000 to $3,000,000 on average, based on the injuries to the victim, the acts that were involved, negligence by the defendant, and many other factors. Case values are highest when there is a prolonged history of abuse, meaning that the child was assaulted numerous times over a period of months or years. But we have had cases where even one incident of sexual assault left the victim with profound emotional and physical trauma. As a result, cases of sexual abuse against children are typically worth $1,000,000 or more.

You may have come across payments in excess of $10,000,000 for child abuse victims, but these are mainly associated with class action lawsuits. That means the award is split up between multiple victims, who have all been abused in similar ways by the same defendant. This is a fair arrangement for some people, but it might be better for you to file a lawsuit on your own, based on the circumstances in your case. A sexual abuse at a church lawsuit attorney can educate you on these options and help you make the best choice for your needs.

Deadline for a File a Lawsuit for Child Sexual Assault

Those who were sexually abused as minors have 22 years from the time they turn 18 to file a sexual assault lawsuit. Alternatively, you can file a child sexual abuse lawsuit within 5 years from discovering the impact of sexual abuse, either through a physical or psychological injury.

Essentially, adult survivors have until the age of 40 – and even longer in some cases – to seek monetary compensation from the perpetrator, a religious organization, and any other entity that’s responsible for the abuse. But you should still talk to a lawyer as soon as possible in order to verify how much you have for a lawsuit. Keep in mind that you will most likely lose the right to sue if you exceed the statute of limitations that applies to your situation.

Contact us right away if you were sexually assaulted by Jose Luis Lopez-Hernandez or another member of Ministerio Jesus Liberta Church.

How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?

A lawsuit for sexual abuse of a minor takes 1 or more years to settle as a general rule, and up to several years if the case goes to trial. Granted, only a small fraction of cases are tried in court, as this is a very expensive and time-consuming process that most defendants want to avoid. But it can still take 2 years or longer to reach a settlement that is agreeable to all the involved parties.

Sometimes, it takes 4 to 6 months to settle a child sexual abuse lawsuit if you have a recent case where the evidence is readily available. But religious organizations are very good at concealing evidence, silencing victims, and using legal means to avoid liability when they accused of enabling a child molester. Thus, a sexual assault case often takes 1 to 2 years from start to finish, and even longer if a jury verdict is the only way to bring you justice.

Contact Our Law Firm

It’s always shocking when a religious leader is accused of sexually violating a child. But these incidents are fairly common across all religious organizations, where pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, etc., are revered among their congregants. Sadly, some people use this power and privilege to prey on children, leaving them with permanent scars that never fully heal.

Thankfully, California is a very progressive state when it comes to child abuse, and legal remedies are available if you were sexually assaulted by a trusted adult. We are ready to educate you on your rights and legal options, and help you determine the best way to move forward.

If filing a church sexual abuse lawsuit is right for you, there’s no need to worry about legal fees. We request that the defendant cover all expenses associated with your case, which is paid to us at the same time you receive compensation. And with the Zero Fee Guarantee, you won’t receive any bills from us if we don’t recover your settlement award.

Simply give us a call at your earliest convenience to receive a free case evaluation. If you have a lawsuit that’s already in progress, we are happy to offer you a free second opinion. To discuss your options and learn more about your rights from a childhood sexual abuse lawyer, contact us today.

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