WISCONSIN
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By TOM HEINEN
theinen@journalsentinel.com
Posted: June 18, 2005
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is poised to issue an opinion that could keep the door shut on civil suits against churches for old cases of sexual abuse of minors by clergy or could open a broader entryway for victims to sue not only churches but other institutions for abuse committed decades ago by volunteers, coaches and teachers.
Millions of dollars are at stake. So are arguments about denial of justice for victims and the fairness of trying to defend against old allegations.
In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee alone - the largest of the state's five Catholic dioceses - victims' advocates say they know of at least 80 victims who have not entered into settlements with the church.
How many might be willing and able to file suits would depend on the wording of the court's opinion and details of their individual experiences.
Juries nationwide in such cases have awarded anywhere from $25,000 to $2 million in damages, say attorneys representing the plaintiff.
A Supreme Court ruling is likely by June 30 or early in July before the summer recess. At issue are decisions reached a decade ago by the court that greatly restricted victims' ability to sue churches.