Diocese record · California

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

In October 2024 the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $880 million to settle 1,353 clergy abuse claims — described as the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a U.S. Catholic archdiocese. With prior payouts, its total exceeds $1.5 billion.

People's Justice Accountability DeskFacts verified Jul 12, 20263 sources

Filing window status

California’s three-year revival window under Assembly Bill 218, which allowed otherwise time-barred childhood abuse claims, closed December 31, 2022 — and the archdiocese has now settled the claims filed under it. Survivors may still have options under California’s standard statute (generally until age 40, or within five years of connecting harm to the abuse). A free, confidential review can confirm your deadline.

Deadlines are state-specific and change often. Even if you think a window has passed, it is worth confirming — exceptions can apply. A free, confidential review can tell you where you stand.

The record

Key Facts

Fact 01

$880 million settlement

Source: NPR / Forbes, Oct. 17, 2024

Fact 02

1,353 claims resolved

Source: NPR, Oct. 2024

Fact 03

Largest single settlement with a U.S. archdiocese

Source: Axios / Forbes, Oct. 2024

Fact 04

$1.5B+ total payouts to date

Source: NPR, Oct. 2024

What is documented

The Allegations

Attorneys for 1,353 people who allege childhood sexual abuse by local Catholic clergy, in claims dating back to the 1940s, reached the settlement. The claims were filed after California’s Assembly Bill 218 (2019) temporarily revived older abuse cases.

The full account

The Record

On October 17, 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles — the largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States — agreed to pay $880 million to settle 1,353 claims of childhood sexual abuse by clergy, in cases dating back to the 1940s.

An attorney for survivors described it as the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a U.S. Catholic archdiocese. The claims were filed after California’s Assembly Bill 218, enacted in 2019, temporarily reopened the window for otherwise time-barred abuse cases. The settlement is funded by archdiocese investments, reserves, bank financing, and other assets.

The archdiocese had previously paid roughly $740 million to survivors in earlier settlements, bringing its total payouts to more than $1.5 billion.

Sources & attribution

Sources Cited

3 sources

Related investigation

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