McCormack Settlements by Abels & Annes, P.C.
$3,150,000 - In 2014 Abels & Annes, P.C., working with co-counsel, settled a lawsuit on behalf of a victim of former Father Daniel McCormack in the amount of $3.15 million. The suit, brought against the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal George, and the Catholic Bishop of Chicago alleged that Father McCormack sexually abused the plaintiff, a minor, while the plaintiff was in 8th through 11th grades in school.
$3,200,000 - In 2011 Abels & Annes, P.C., working with co-counsel, settled a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal George, and the Catholic Bishop of Chicago involving sexual abuse of a minor boy by former Rev. Daniel McCormack in the amount of $3.2 million dollars, $300,000 of which was placed in escrow for services. The identity of the plaintiff and his family remain confidential.
$2,500,000 - In 2015, while working with co-counsel, Abels & Annes, P.C. settled a claim on behalf of an individual who was sexually abused by former Father Daniel McCormack. The plaintiff's identity remains confidential at this time.
$2,600,000 - The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. settled this claim while working with co-counsel in 2016 on behalf of our client who was abused by former Father Daniel McCormack. To best protect our client, our client's identity remained confidential through the pendency of the claim.
Our Work on Behalf of Sex Abuse Victims Continues
The sexual abuse lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are part of a team of lawyers from that have successfully settled twenty (20) claims on behalf of victims of Father Daniel McCormack. Two of our team's settlements were in excess of $3 million for each victim. In addition to the claims already settled by Abels & Annes and co-counsel, the team currently represents several other alleged victims of Father McCormack and is working to obtain relief for those individuals as well.
Allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against numerous priests in the Chicago area. Among them, there have been dozens of claims against Father Daniel McCormack. The victims allege that Father McCormack engaged in inappropriate sexual activities with them through Father McCormack's position within the Church.
Daniel McCormack, known to many as Father Dan, was a seminarian in the Archdiocese of Chicago's seminary system from 1986 to 1994, during which time he received an education and was trained to become a priest in the Catholic Church. Allegations of sexual misconduct against Father McCormack began as early as his seminarian days. The allegations were reported to seminary officials but went unaddressed and Father McCormack was ordained a priest in 1994.
He spent the first four years of his priesthood in various positions within the Catholic Church. Many of these jobs provided him with unsupervised contact with minors. In 1998, Father McCormack was assigned to the position of Sacramental Minister at Holy Family Parish in Chicago. There, he continued to have access to and encounters with minors.
Chicago Church Sexual Abuse Lawyers
The Archdiocese of Chicago received an allegation in 1999 that Father McCormack inappropriately sexually touched a minor boy through his position at Holy Family Parish. Despite the allegation, the Archdiocese promoted Father McCormack. The following year he was given the position of Pastor at Saint Agatha's Parish in Chicago. During his time at Saint Agatha's, Father McCormack performed pastoral duties. Further, he was a teacher and the boys' basketball coach. Unfortunately, this gave him unrestricted access to young boys under his care.
In 2003, the Archdiocese again received a report about Father McCormack. It stated that he may have engaged in inappropriate behaviors with minors through his position at Saint Agatha's. Credible allegations of child sexual abuse led to an initial arrest of Father Dan McCormack in 2005. There was also a recommendation that Father McCormack be removed from his position by an Archdiocese Professional Review Board. Despite the arrest and recommendation for removal, the Archdiocese of Chicago chose to keep Father McCormack in his position, enabling him to maintain sexually abusive relationships with minors.
In 2006, Father McCormack was again arrested following allegations of sexual abuse of minors. He was also removed from his position as pastor in 2006. However, by the time he was removed, Father McCormack had engaged in inappropriate sexual practices with numerous young boys. Many victims endured abuse multiple times and some over many years.
In 2007, Father McCormack pled guilty to sexually abusing five minor boys during his employment with the Archdiocese of Chicago. He went to prison for several years. Currently he is still in state custody in a facility for sex offenders.
Relief Available to Victims of Sexual Abuse
As allegations of the abuse conducted by Father Dan have come to light, more and more young men have stepped forward to reveal the abuse they suffered at the hands of the priest and the church that were supposed to protect them. Some of these victims have chosen to bring claims and litigation against the Archdiocese. These actions seek compensation for the wrongs done to them.
A legal team formed by Abels & Annes, P.C. has been representing victims of Father Dan and the Archdiocese for years. We understand that the victims of these horrendous crimes can suffer for the rest of their lives. We believe that all victims deserve to speak to a lawyer without any risk on their part. Therefore, we offer a free case consultation to all victims of Father McCormack at (312) 924-7575.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we put the rights and interests of our clients first and we fight for the best possible outcome in each and every case. We have successfully settled many cases for child sex abuse victims of Father McCormack. Further, we currently represent many more of his victims.
More priest sex abuse victims still come forward every year. If you suffering from abuse at the hands of Father McCormack, the Archdiocese of Chicago, or another individual with association to the Church, call us for a free confidential consultation.
If you are a victim of a sexual abuse by Father McCormack or another church employee, call us at (312) 924-7575 or Contact us online for a free consultation.