Judge Says Punitive Damages Can Be Sought in Clergy Abuse Cases

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A judge says four people who claim the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles failed to protect them from a priest accused of sexual abuse can seek punitive damages.

The ruling by Judge Haley Fromholz could open the archdiocese to tens of millions of dollars in payouts if punitive damages are permitted in more than 500 other pending clergy abuse lawsuits. The judge also ordered the archdiocese to submit to extensive interrogation and disclosure about its finances.

Punitive damages generally are far greater than damages to compensate victims for pain and loss. The first of the abuse lawsuits is scheduled to go to trial June Eleventh.

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