Delbarton School Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Delbarton School is a Catholic, college-preparatory middle and high school for boys in Morristown, New Jersey. Over the last 15 years, the school, which is run by Benedictine monks, has repeatedly been in the news regarding sexual abuse allegations against clergy members at the school, including a former headmaster.
Now, dozens of survivors have come forward to file civil lawsuits against the school for allegedly enabling and covering up child sexual abuse by clergy members at Delbarton.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- The Delbarton School in New Jersey is facing nearly 40 lawsuits from former students who allege they were sexually abused by clergy while attending the all-male Catholic school as far back as the 1970s.
- In New Jersey, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have legal rights and options for holding the parties that perpetrated and enabled their abuse accountable.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at Delbarton School, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation. Contact Helping Survivors to learn more.
Delbarton School Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Delbarton School in New Jersey has a noted history of sexual abuse allegations against numerous clergy members employed at the school, and more details about Delbarton’s history of abuse might be made public soon. In June 2025, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a new grand jury investigation into clergy abuse statewide can proceed. The investigation will likely include claims of a cover-up of sexual abuse allegations at Delbarton.
In 2018, Delbarton released a public letter acknowledging that 30 victims had come forward with school sexual abuse allegations against 13 members of Delbarton’s clergy. Much of this abuse is said to have occurred under the watch of Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, a former top church leader who served for three decades as a teacher and clergy leader at Delbarton. Lorenzo is currently in line to be New Jersey’s next cardinal.
Delbarton Sexual Abuse in the News
2025
A former Delbarton student who alleged that former teacher Rev. Richard Lott sexually abused him at the school when he was 15 filed a lawsuit in 2017, and the trial began in state court in early September. This is the first civil trial involving the Catholic church in the state and the first among 39 lawsuits against Delbarton and the order that founded it. According to the lawsuit, the victim reported the alleged assault to higher-ups after graduating in 1977, but then-Abbott Brian Clarke said he did not discipline Lott or notify police. In a 2018 deposition, Clarke testified that he destroyed the letter from the victim to preserve the school’s reputation.
In October 2025, the initial student, identified as T.M., was awarded $5 million in damages. While the five-week trial will continue, it was determined that the school is responsible for $3.25 million compensary damages and the Rev. Richard Lott will be responsible for 35% of the damages. Jurors will determine on Oct. 14 whether the Order of St. Benedict of New Jersey, which runs the school, will also pay punitive damages.
2021
In 2021, a former Delbarton student filed a lawsuit against the school, claiming he was raped and abused more than 150 times by a trio of monks as a 7th grader in the 1970s.
2018
In 2018, a lawsuit filed in 2012 by former Delbarton student Tom Crane settled out of court. Crane said he endured intimidation from the school and the church after filing the suit regarding alleged sexual abuse he and his brother faced from two Delbarton monks in the 1970s.
Legal Options for Survivors of Delbarton School Abuse
Survivors of sexual abuse generally have the legal right to file lawsuits against the perpetrators and enablers of the abuse. Survivors can seek compensation for their losses, including medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other related damages. They also have the right to report abuse to law enforcement so that prosecutors can investigate and potentially file criminal charges against the perpetrators of the abuse.
File a Civil Lawsuit Against Delbarton School
Survivors of sexual abuse at the Delbarton School may have the option to file a civil child sexual abuse lawsuit against the responsible parties, such as the school, specific staff members, clergy, or other individuals who may have been negligent in preventing the abuse.
Civil lawsuits offer survivors a path to potentially secure compensation for their trauma, including medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and more. In addition, they can hold the responsible individuals and institutions accountable to prevent future harm.
New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a state law that determines how much time after abuse occurs that survivors have to file lawsuits. In 2019, New Jersey’s legislature passed the Child Victims Act, significantly extending its statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse cases Under the CVA, survivors who experienced sexual abuse as minors have until their 55th birthday, or seven years from the time they discovered the harm the abuse caused, to file a lawsuit against individual perpetrators and negligent institutions that enabled the abuse.
Aside from filing a civil lawsuit, survivors of child sexual abuse can also report the abuse to law enforcement so prosecutors may file criminal charges against the perpetrator. New Jersey eliminated the criminal statute of limitations for most sexual offenses in 1996, so for abuse that occurred after that year, survivors can report at any time.
How a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Filing a civil lawsuit can be complex, and it is vital to have experienced legal representation to guide you through the process. A lawyer specializing in sexual abuse cases in schools and by clergy members will understand how to handle the legal challenges specific to these types of cases and be prepared to advocate for you in court.
Why Victims of Delbarton School Abuse Should Contact Helping Survivors
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at the Delbarton School, you have rights and legal options for pursuing justice and holding the responsible parties accountable.
At Helping Survivors, we connect abuse survivors with attorneys who have experience in sexual abuse cases, particularly against institutions like the Delbarton School. These attorneys can file civil lawsuits against the institutions, individuals, and organizations that perpetrated and enabled abuse and pursue compensation for the victims’ losses. The lawyers we work with charge no upfront legal costs. Instead, they work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for you.
Every survivor’s experience is unique, and what you choose to do after experiencing sexual violence is your choice—there is no right or wrong answer. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact Helping Survivors today.
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