New Limitations Window In Minnesota Has Generated 18 Clergy Abuse Cases

Yesterday's Huffington Post reports that 18 lawsuits have been filed against Catholic clergy in Minnesota since the enactment in May of this year of HF 681 that creates a 3-year window for previously time-barred cases alleging sexual abuse of a minor. A number of these cases also include the archdiocese as a defendant. Prospectively, the new law eliminates any limitation period for suits against individuals who sexually abuse minors, while suits claiming vicarious liability for the abuse must be brought before the victim reaches 24 years of age.