Archdiocese of Chicago To Pay $3.15 Million Settlement in Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Posted on April 13, 2017 by Larry Bodine Chicago plaintiff attorney Lyndsay A. Markley Chicago plaintiff lawyer Lyndsay A. Markley marks another victory as she settled three more lawsuits against theArchdiocese of Chicago, involving the sexual abuse of minors by defrocked priest Daniel McCormack in the amount of $3.15 million. Markley settled a separate lawsuit representing another victim with the Archdiocese for $2.3 million earlier this year. Attorney Lyndsay Markley of The Law Office of Lyndsay A. Markley, Ltd.represented the following three victims who alleged that McCormack sexually abused them during their participation in an after-school program, which was ironically named ‘S.A.F.E.’ John M. Doe (15 L 3700) sued the Archdiocese of Chicago in April of 2015. He alleged that McCormack sexually abused him on two occasions on or about the years 2000/ 2001 when he was 13/14 years old. This case was scheduled to proceed to trial in July 2017. John T. Doe (2015 L 3702) sued the Archdiocese of Chicago in April of 2015. He alleges he was abused on more than one occasion between 2003 and 2005. John J. Doe (originally filed as 2015 L 6864 before consolidation for discovery and trial with 15 L 3702) sued the Archdiocese of Chicago in July of 2015. He alleged that McCormack sexually abused him during his attendance at the after-school program at Our Lady of the Westside Catholic School. The victim alleges that he was sexually abused on more than one occasion on or about the years 2003 through 2005. Unfit to work with children All of the lawsuits alleged that, although the Archdiocese of Chicago and Cardinal Francis George had credible information confirming McCormack’s unfitness to work with children as early as 1994, they still allowed him continued access as a teacher, basketball coach and priest. McCormack was not removed from the public ministry until his second arrest in January 2006. He was permanently removed from the priesthood in November 2007 and pleaded guilty that year to abusing five children. The parties settled these cases on March 17, 2017. Dismissal orders were entered on John J. Doe and John T. Doe before Judge John P. Callahan of the Cook County Circuit Court on April 10, 2017. A dismissal order for 2015 L 3700 (John M. Doe) was entered on April 11, 2017, before the Honorable Kathy M. Flanagan of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Chicago-based attorney, Lyndsay Markley (www.lmarkleylaw.com) has dedicated her legal practice to fighting for persons who suffered injuries or death as the result of the wrongful or careless conduct of others. She set up her own law practice in February 2014 after serving as a named, equity shareholder at another established Chicago law firm. Her awards include: Acknowledgment as an Illinois SuperLawyer for 2017 by SuperLawyer: SuperLawyers & Chicago Magazine 10 Best Under 40 2014-2016 Award from the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys Top 100 Trial Attorneys in Illinois and a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Attorney for 2014-2016 by the National Association of Trial Lawyers A Super Lawyers Illinois’ Rising Star in 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 A Top Women Lawyer in Illinois in 2014 by Super Lawyers and Chicago Magazine.
