Herman Law

A Rhode Island Attorney General's report has named St. Raphael Academy, a Catholic high school in Pawtucket, in connection with decades of alleged child sexual abuse. The report identified 75 clergy and religious order members across the Diocese of Providence, including two individuals with alleged ties to St. Raphael's.

Rhode Island's new revival window law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until June 30, 2028 to file civil claims that may have previously been barred by the statute of limitations, including claims against schools, religious orders, and other institutions.

If you or someone you love attended St. Raphael Academy and experienced abuse, you may have legal options. It does not matter how old you are now or how long ago the abuse occurred.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/st-raphael-academy-decades-alleged-sexual-abuse-rhode-island/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of alleged sexual abuse or assault referenced in this post.

A 2016 independent investigation into St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island uncovered a decades-long pattern of alleged sexual abuse by staff and faculty. The school allegedly failed to report accused staff to authorities, with some moving on to other institutions without warning.

St. George's is not an isolated case. Unlike public schools, private institutions are generally not required to license their educators or meet the same public oversight requirements. Across New England, that gap has allowed alleged abuse at elite boarding schools to stay hidden for decades.

Rhode Island recently passed a new law giving survivors a second chance at justice. If your window to file a civil claim had previously expired due to the statute of limitations, you may now have legal options.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/st-georges-school-decades-sexual-abuse-allegations/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of sexual abuse or assault referenced in this post.

The Diocese of Palm Beach has placed the pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Boynton Beach on administrative leave following serious allegations. A formal investigation is underway and civil authorities have been notified.

If you have information related to this matter, the Diocese of Palm Beach Reporting Line can be reached at (561) 775-9558, or contact the Florida Department of Children and Families at 1-800-96-ABUSE.

The Diocese has not described the nature of the allegations.

If you or someone you love experienced abuse by a member of the clergy, you may have legal options. Contact our team today for a free, confidential consultation.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/diocese-of-palm-beach-places-st-thomas-more-priest-on-administrative-leave-following-serious-allegations/

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Herman Law founder Jeff Herman spoke with the New York Post following a landmark verdict in a New York City public school sexual abuse case. A jury in the Supreme Court of Kings County awarded our client $18 million in damages — the first Child Victims Act lawsuit to reach a jury verdict in the city.

Read the full article in the New York Post here: https://nypost.com/2026/06/28/us-news/new-claims-against-nyc-teacher-accused-of-suffocating-third-grader-after-18m-sex-abuse-verdict/

Meet Sarah Serrano — Lead Attorney, California Office

Sarah is a zealous advocate for survivors of sexual abuse with extensive litigation experience and a personal commitment to guiding and supporting those she represents through every stage of the legal process.

Before joining Herman Law, Sarah was a Partner at a premier national defense firm, where she led her team in defending corporate entities in a wide array of suits including wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. After nine years of gaining invaluable insight into defense strategies and corporate litigation tactics, Sarah made a deliberate decision to pursue more meaningful work as a plaintiff's attorney. Her extensive defense background gives her unique perspective into how corporations operate and defend themselves, allowing her to better advocate for survivors and hold institutions accountable.

We're proud to have Sarah's experience, passion, and dedication to giving survivors of child sexual abuse a voice on our team.

This note from our client to lead attorney Andrew Silvershein and the Herman Law team says it all. From the first phone call to the final resolution, we work hard to make sure every survivor who comes to us feels heard and supported. Thank you for trusting us with your case and for taking the time to share your experience, N.C. We are honored to have been a part of your journey towards justice and healing.

Rhode Island has opened a two-year window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue justice no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

The revival window runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 and covers abuse in churches, schools, foster care, youth programs, and other institutions. Survivors may now be able to hold not just individual abusers accountable, but the organizations that failed to protect them.

If this affects you or someone you love, we encourage you to learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/rhode-island-opens-two-year-window-for-childhood-sexual-abuse-survivors-to-sue/

Herman Law has secured an $18 million verdict against the City of New York in what is considered the first Child Victims Act lawsuit in the city to reach a verdict at trial.

Tried by firm founder Jeff Herman and lead attorneys Stacey Karpinski and Adam Scalice, the case involved a survivor who was sexually abused as a student at P.S. 15 in Brooklyn. Evidence showed that school officials were aware of prior reports involving the abuser and failed to act.

The New York Child Victims Act exists to give survivors a path to civil justice for claims that were previously time-barred. This verdict is a milestone in how that law is being applied, and a reminder of the role civil litigation plays in holding institutions accountable.

We are honored to have stood by our client's side in pursuit of the justice they deserved. At Herman Law, the voices of survivors lead every case we take on, and this verdict reflects our commitment to pursuing justice that not only supports survivors, but helps define accountability standards across the state.

Read the full press release here: https://hermanlaw.com/herman-law-secures-18-million-verdict-child-victims-act-trial-nyc-public-schools/

Meet Britt Karp — Lead Support Attorney, California Office

Britt is a passionate advocate for survivors of sexual abuse who brings extensive trial experience and a deep commitment to justice for victims of civil rights violations.

Before joining Herman Law, Britt represented wronged employees, civil rights victims, and injured individuals at prominent California firms. She has settled numerous cases at mediation, first-chaired four trials and second-chaired five more, including assisting on a trial that resulted in the second highest jury verdict in a police shooting case in California. Her diverse litigation background and proven courtroom skill give her the experience to effectively fight for survivors seeking justice. Britt has been named a Southern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine from 2020-2026 and is a graduate of CAALA's Plaintiff Trial Academy.

We're proud to have Britt's experience, skill, and dedication to survivors on our team.