Lawsuits Allege Abuse by Former Staff — Survivors May Have Legal Options
Sauder Schelkopf is investigating potential claims involving alleged sexual abuse at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey.
Recent civil lawsuits filed in New Jersey allege that former students were subjected to sexual abuse by individuals affiliated with the school in the 1980s. The filings also raise questions about whether responsible institutions took adequate steps to protect students.
Another suit filed against Paramus Catholic for alleged sexual abuse
What the Lawsuits Allege
According to publicly reported complaints:
- A former student alleges “unpermitted sexual contact” by a former gym teacher and ice hockey coach.
- The alleged conduct occurred between approximately 1986 and 1989, when the student was 14–17.
- Other lawsuits describe alleged abuse involving school staff during athletic activities and related travel.
- Multiple lawsuits have been filed raising similar allegations from that time period.
These are allegations made in civil lawsuits. They have not been proven in court.
Former teacher, coach at N.J. Catholic school at the center of another sexual abuse lawsuit
Your Legal Rights
New Jersey law allows many survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring claims years later. You may still have a case even if:
- The abuse occurred decades ago
- You did not report it at the time
- The individual involved is no longer alive
Our Investigation
We are evaluating:
- Whether similar conduct affected other students
- Whether institutions had notice of risks
- Whether safeguards were adequate
Confidential Consultation
If you attended Paramus Catholic High School and experienced abuse, we can help you understand your options.
- No upfront cost
- No fee unless we recover compensation
- Completely confidential
Sauder Schelkopf is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in sexual abuse litigation, with a proven track record of securing significant settlements and achieving systemic reforms for survivors.
Notable Achievements:
- University of Southern California (USC) Settlement: The firm, in collaboration with co-counsel, secured a historic $215 million settlement on behalf of female patients of Dr. George Tyndall, a USC gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct since the 1990s. This settlement is among the largest in sex abuse cases and includes provisions for systemic changes in reporting and investigating sexual abuse on campus.
- Ohio State University (OSU) Litigation: Representing former students and athletes, Sauder Schelkopf is involved in litigation concerning sexual misconduct by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former OSU doctor. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
- As of January 2025, Ohio State University has paid approximately $40.9 million to settle lawsuits from 162 men who alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former team doctor.
- In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear OSU’s appeal, allowing lawsuits brought by alleged sexual abuse victims of Dr. Strauss to proceed.
- As of October 2023, five lawsuits involving 236 men remained pending.
- University of Michigan Settlement: The firm achieved a class action settlement against the University of Michigan, resulting in landmark institutional reforms addressing on-campus sexual misconduct.
- Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Lawsuit: Sauder Schelkopf filed a lawsuit against Devereux, alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of children in their care. The firm is seeking compensatory and other damages for the victims.
- Glen Mills Schools Abuse Lawsuit: The firm is representing former students of The Glen Mills Schools, a now-closed detention center, in a class action lawsuit seeking damages for physical and sexual abuse suffered during their time there.
Through these and other cases, Sauder Schelkopf has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, achieving substantial financial settlements, and driving meaningful changes within institutions to prevent future misconduct.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you or a loved one experienced sexual misconduct while attending Paramus Catholic High School, contact our attorneys confidentially by completing the form on this page. Our firm has a long history of standing up for survivors and holding powerful corporations accountable.