At the office of Attorney Javier Marcos, we believe that every individual deserves to feel safe, especially within the sacred walls of their own community and place of worship. Recently, many families in Houston and across the country have been following the news regarding legal actions involving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
We know that for many in our community, this is a sensitive and deeply personal topic. Our goal is to provide you with the clear, authoritative information you need to understand your rights, while offering the compassionate support you deserve. You are not alone, and your voice matters.
Who and What is the LDS Church?
To understand the legal situation, it helps to understand the organization involved. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), often referred to as the Mormon Church, is a global religious organization with millions of members worldwide and a significant presence right here in Houston and throughout Texas.
The LDS Church is known for its strong emphasis on family values, community service, and a highly organized structure. Locally, members meet in congregations called “Wards” which are grouped into larger “Stakes.” These are overseen by a global leadership headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Because the church is so central to its members’ lives—often acting as the primary source of their social circle, child-care activities, and spiritual guidance—any breach of trust within that environment can have a devastating impact on a family’s sense of safety and well-being.
What Are the LDS Lawsuits About?
The core of these legal actions is about more than just individual incidents; it is about institutional responsibility. These lawsuits focus on whether a powerful, hierarchical organization fulfilled its duty to protect its members, particularly the most vulnerable.
The legal claims generally center on:
- Historical Accountability: Addressing incidents that occurred years or even decades ago that were never properly resolved.
- Institutional Responsibility: Investigating whether internal reporting structures—like private “help lines” or ecclesiastical meetings—were used to protect the organization’s reputation rather than the safety of the individual.
- The Right to Be Heard: Providing a legal path for survivors to share their stories and seek a sense of closure that has been denied for too long.
The Legal Ramifications: Holding Institutions Accountable
When a case moves forward against a large organization, the law looks at specific “duties” that were owed to you. In these lawsuits, we focus on several key legal concepts:
- Negligent Supervision and Retention: We examine whether the organization knew (or should have known) about the risks posed by certain individuals in leadership positions and failed to act.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: The law views a church as a trusted spiritual institution. This creates a “fiduciary duty”—a high legal standard that requires the organization to act in the absolute best interest of those under its care.
- Institutional Negligence: This looks at whether the organization’s policies were fundamentally flawed, leading to an environment where misconduct could go unchecked.
To provide you with a full picture of how these cases have evolved, it is helpful to see the sequence of events that has brought us to this current moment of legal accountability. This timeline shows that while the road to justice is often long, the momentum is undeniably moving toward transparency and protection for survivors.
Timeline of Accountability: Key Events and Court Decisions
The legal landscape surrounding the LDS Church has shifted rapidly over the last few years. What started as individual stories has grown into a nationwide movement for institutional change.
| Year | Milestone | Legal Significance |
| 1995 | Establishment of the “Help Line” | The LDS Church creates an internal reporting system for bishops to call a church-owned law firm when abuse is reported. |
| 2022 | AP Investigation: “Seven Years of Sex Abuse” | A landmark Associated Press investigation reveals how the church “Help Line” was used in an Arizona case to withhold information from police for years. |
| 2023 | The $2.28 Billion Verdict (California) | A California jury awards a historic amount to a survivor. Although the church settled its portion for $1 million before the verdict, the case exposed deep flaws in institutional supervision. |
| 2024 | Expansion of Lawsuits | Dozens of new civil complaints are filed in Oregon, Missouri, and Texas, alleging that church leaders failed to report admitted abusers to law enforcement. |
| 2025 | Arizona Appeals Court Reversal | In a major victory for survivors, an Arizona appeals court rules that “clergy-penitent privilege” does not always shield the church from the duty to report child abuse. |
| 2025 | Massive California Settlements | The LDS Church agrees to settle over 100 sexual abuse lawsuits in California, marking one of the largest collective resolutions in the organization’s history. |
| 2026 | Current Texas Actions | New cases continue to be filed in Houston and across Texas, utilizing the expanded “Lookback Window” to seek justice for events that occurred decades ago. |
The Texas "Lookback Window": Is It Too Late to File?
One of the most common questions we hear is: “This happened a long time ago—can I still do anything about it?” In the past, the answer was often a difficult “no.” However, Texas law has changed to favor justice.
Texas legislators have expanded the “civil window” for survivors, recognizing that it takes time to find the strength to speak out.
- The Age 48 Rule: In many instances, the age limit for a survivor to file a civil lawsuit has been extended until they turn 48 years old.
- The “Discovery Rule”: Even if you are older than 48, there are legal arguments regarding when a person “discovered” the full extent of the harm, which can sometimes reopen doors that were previously closed.
- No More Shielding: These changes prevent large institutions from using “the clock” to hide from past mistakes. If you were told years ago that your case was “too old,” it is time for a second opinion.
Restorative Justice: Possible Outcomes and Compensation
When we talk about “compensation,” we are talking about restorative justice. While no amount of money can undo the past, a successful legal outcome provides the resources needed for healing and rebuilding.
Potential outcomes in these cases can include:
- Costs of Specialized Care: Funding for long-term counseling and specialized therapy.
- Economic Damages: Compensation for lost wages or the impact the trauma had on your education or career.
- Pain and Suffering: Legal recognition of the emotional and physical distress you endured.
- Punitive Damages: In extreme cases, a court may award funds specifically designed to punish the organization for gross negligence and to ensure this never happens to another family.
Why These Court Decisions Matter for Your Case
These recent rulings—especially the 2025 Arizona reversal—are “game changers.” They send a clear message to the court system: religious tradition does not place an organization above the law when it comes to the safety of a child.
In the past, the LDS Church often relied on “clergy-penitent privilege” (the idea that a confession to a bishop is a secret) as a legal shield. However, courts are increasingly finding that if a leader has a “reasonable and necessary” reason to report abuse to save a child from ongoing harm, they must do so. This opens the door for Attorney Javier Marcos to argue that the failure to report in your case was not a “religious choice,” but a legal act of negligence.
Why Attorney Javier Marcos is the Right Choice for Houston
Navigating a claim against a massive organization can feel like David vs. Goliath. You need an advocate who isn’t intimidated. Javier Marcos has spent over 25 years fighting for the “underdog” in the Houston Hispanic community.
- A Safe, Bilingual Space: We speak your language—literally and culturally.
- Total Confidentiality: Your privacy is our highest priority. We handle these cases with extreme discretion.
- No Financial Risk: We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay us nothing unless we win your case.
Your Path Forward: ¡Justicia para los Hispanos!®
If you or a loved one has been affected, taking the first step is an act of incredible courage. Information is power, and knowing that the law is now on your side is the beginning of the journey toward accountability.
You are not alone. At the office of Attorney Javier Marcos, we are here to provide the answers, the “muscle” of a major law firm, and the heart of a community advocate.
