The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Can Be Held Accountable
If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a priest, deacon, or other diocesan staff in Altoona, Johnstown, or anywhere in the surrounding mountain counties, you may have the right to hold the institution itself accountable through a civil claim (no prior police report required). What happened was not your fault, and there is no wrong time to reach out.Can the Diocese Itself Be Held Liable?
A civil claim is not just about what an individual priest did. It looks at what the institution chose to do: ignoring complaints from families, moving an accused priest to another parish in the mountains rather than removing him, covering up disclosures, and failing to report abuse to law enforcement. Those are institutional decisions, and institutions can be held liable for them. That is the center of a claim against the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, and it is also why a prior criminal conviction is not required. If the diocese failed in its duty to protect people, that failure can be examined in a civil court regardless of whether any criminal case was ever brought.Is It Too Late to File a Claim in Altoona?
Pennsylvania’s deadlines have changed in recent years, and how much time you have depends on your age when the abuse occurred and other circumstances. If you’re wondering whether it’s too late, in most cases it isn’t, but the window won’t stay open. Call Ashley DiLiberto for a clear, no-obligation answer about your specific deadline before that window closes.Your First Call: No Pressure, No Judgment
Here is what happens during your first call:- You share only what you are comfortable sharing: no interrogation, no judgment.
- Ashley explains, in plain language, whether the diocese and those involved can be held accountable, and what your options are.
- If we move forward, there is no cost to you unless we win.
What a Civil Claim Can Actually Do for You
For many survivors, a case is first and foremost about accountability, forcing the institution to change how it protects people so no one else is harmed the same way. A civil claim can also seek real financial recovery: therapy and mental health care, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, including the broader impact the abuse has had on your life.Why Ashley DiLiberto Takes These Cases
Ashley DiLiberto takes these cases because she believes institutions that fail to protect people should be held responsible, not just the individuals who caused direct harm. As a Partner at Messa & Associates, P.C., in Philadelphia, she leads the firm’s national Mass Tort Litigation Team and has represented survivors in the Boy Scouts of America cases connected to a landmark national settlement. She has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers “Rising Star” every year since 2019, is admitted to the Pennsylvania bar (ID 323701, admitted 2017), and is available for free, confidential consultations around the clock. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome; every case is evaluated on its own facts.Frequently asked questions
Was Altoona-Johnstown part of the 2018 statewide grand jury report?
No — it was investigated separately. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown was the subject of its own March 2016 grand jury report by Pennsylvania's 37th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, which preceded the 2018 six-diocese report.
What did the 2016 Altoona-Johnstown grand jury find?
It concluded that hundreds of children were abused over at least 40 years by at least 50 priests and religious leaders, and that diocesan leadership played a central role in concealment. It is public record; you do not need to appear in it to bring a claim.
Which counties does a Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown case cover?
Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. Abuse tied to a parish, school, or program anywhere in that footprint can implicate the diocese.
Where would an Altoona-Johnstown case be filed?
Generally in the county Court of Common Pleas where the abuse occurred — often Blair County (Altoona) or Cambria County (Johnstown). Ashley DiLiberto handles the venue analysis for you.
Do I need a criminal case or conviction first?
No. A civil claim is independent of the criminal system and can proceed whether or not anyone was charged and whether or not you reported.
Can I still sue if the priest has died?
Often, yes — a claim can focus on the diocese's own negligence rather than only the individual, so it may proceed even if the abuser has died.
Will my identity be protected, and what does it cost?
Your first conversation is confidential and protecting your privacy is a priority. The consultation is free and cases are handled on contingency — no fee unless we win.
Serving sexual abuse survivors across Pennsylvania
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