Rhode Island Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Reviewing Claims Under Rhode Island's New Child Sexual Abuse Law

Grewal Law PLLC is actively reviewing potential claims from survivors who were sexually abused by members of the Catholic Church in Rhode Island. A new state law, which took effect July 1, 2026, gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse the right to file civil claims that were previously barred by Rhode Island's statute of limitations, including claims against the Diocese of Providence and other Church institutions accused of enabling or covering up abuse.

Dozens of lawsuits were filed against the Diocese on the first day the law took effect, with allegations dating back decades. As Rhode Island's two-year filing window remains open, a growing number of survivors are stepping forward to hold the Church accountable.

Proven Results in Sexual Abuse Litigation

Grewal Law PLLC has recovered more than $1 billion for sexual abuse survivors in claims against universities, sports organizations, government agencies, and other powerful institutions. Our results include:

• $500 Million – Michigan State University / Larry Nassar. We represented 111 of the 333 survivors in the largest university sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history.
• $490 Million – University of Michigan / Robert Anderson. We were part of the legal team representing more than 200 survivors in a historic settlement.
• $380 Million – USA Gymnastics & U.S. Olympic Committee. We advocated for 112 survivors in a national resolution against USA Gymnastics and the USOPC.
• $144 Million – FBI Failure to Act. We represented 44 survivors after the FBI ignored credible complaints about Larry Nassar, allowing the abuse to continue.

Our team is ready to help Rhode Island survivors understand their rights under the new child sexual abuse lookback law. Call (888) 211-5798 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation. We're available 24/7, and there are no legal fees unless we win your case.

What Rhode Island's New Law Means for Catholic Church Abuse Survivors

Rhode Island's civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims has changed twice in recent years, and the latest change is the most significant yet for survivors seeking to hold the Catholic Church accountable.

The Revival Window: Filing Deadline of June 30, 2028

On July 1, 2026, following the signing of H-7200a in June, Rhode Island opened a two-year window that revives childhood sexual abuse claims previously barred by the statute of limitations. Here's how it works:

• Filing period. The window opened July 1, 2026, and closes June 30, 2028. Claims must be filed before that date.
• Who can be sued. The revival window expressly allows survivors to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors, including the Diocese of Providence, whose conduct allegedly caused or contributed to the abuse.
• No lookback limit. It doesn't matter how long ago the abuse occurred or how much time has passed since a prior deadline expired.

Before this law, a 2019 reform extended survivors' right to sue individual abusers until age 53. In 2023, the Rhode Island Supreme Court held that the 2019 amendment did not revive already-expired claims against non-perpetrator defendants, including Church officials. The new law closes that gap.

Rhode Island's Standard Filing Deadline Going Forward

Outside the revival window, Rhode Island law generally gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until the later of:

• Age 53. The law provides a 35-year filing period and tolls that period until the survivor turns 18. 
• Seven years after discovery. A claim may also be filed within seven years of when the survivor discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, that an injury or condition was caused by the abuse.

These deadlines now apply to claims against individual abusers and non-perpetrator defendants, including claims based on negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, failure to report, or concealment.

A Growing Number of Survivors Are Suing the Diocese of Providence

Survivors began filing lawsuits against the Diocese of Providence the moment Rhode Island's revival window opened on July 1, 2026, with allegations dating back to 1958. A growing number of survivors are expected to come forward before the window closes in 2028.

The wave of litigation follows a March 2026 report from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, which documented decades of sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Diocese. The investigation identified 75 credibly accused clergy who reportedly abused more than 300 victims between 1950 and 2011.

Do I Have a Case Against the Catholic Church?

You may have grounds to file a claim if:

• You were sexually abused as a minor by a priest, deacon, nun, teacher, volunteer, or other member of the Catholic clergy or Church staff in Rhode Island
• The abuse occurred at any time in the past, including decades ago
• A parish, school, diocese, or other Church-affiliated institution knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to act

These are civil claims, separate from any criminal case against your abuser. You may still have a claim even if your abuser was never charged, was acquitted, or has since died. Our team can review the facts of your situation and explain your options during a consultation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Clergy Sexual Abuse

Rhode Island's new law allows survivors to pursue claims against more than the individual who committed the abuse. Depending on the facts of your case, liability may extend to:

• The Diocese of Providence, if officials knew or should have known about an abusive priest or Church employee and failed to remove them from positions of access to children
• Individual parishes, schools, and Church-affiliated programs, if local leadership ignored complaints or failed to properly screen and supervise staff and volunteers
• Religious orders and supervisors, if they reassigned known abusers to new parishes or communities instead of reporting them

Compensation Available to Rhode Island Abuse Survivors

Survivors who pursue a civil claim against the Catholic Church may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical and mental health expenses, including therapy and counseling
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and trauma
• Lost income or diminished earning capacity connected to the abuse
• Punitive damages, in cases involving egregious misconduct or concealment by the Church

Case value depends on the specific facts involved, including the nature of the abuse and the extent of the Church's knowledge or involvement in enabling it. Our team works with medical and mental health experts to help fully document the impact of abuse on a survivor's life.

Call For a FREE Consultation: (888) 211-5798

If you were sexually abused by a member of the Catholic clergy in Rhode Island, or by someone affiliated with another religious institution in the state, we want to hear from you. Because the revival window closes on June 30, 2028, it’s important to bring your case to an experienced attorney sooner rather than later.

Call (888) 211-5798 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation.