Maryland Sex Abuse Litigation in 2025: What Law Firms Need to Know
Maryland has emerged as one of the most active jurisdictions in the country for child sexual abuse lawsuits following the elimination of the civil statute of limitations. Hundreds of survivors have filed new claims against state agencies, juvenile facilities, religious organizations, and private institutions.
For law firms representing survivors—or preparing to enter this high-volume field—understanding Maryland’s 2025 developments is critical. The recent consolidation of cases into an MDL-style proceeding and new investigations into clergy abuse highlight the need for coordinated strategy and mass-tort-ready infrastructure.
Below are the key updates and their implications for plaintiff firms nationwide.
Maryland Consolidates Abuse Lawsuits Into Statewide MDL
After Maryland opened the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse claims, the courts were flooded with lawsuits, particularly involving allegations from state juvenile detention centers. In response, the judiciary paused the cases earlier this year to craft a comprehensive plan.
In November 2025, the courts announced the creation of a statewide, MDL-style consolidation for all cases filed against the State of Maryland.
Why Maryland’s MDL Matters for Law Firms
This centralization mirrors federal mass-tort practice and brings several advantages:
- Unified discovery and shared evidence across survivor cases
- A court-appointed plaintiffs’ leadership committee to coordinate strategy
- Streamlined motions and expert testimony
- Increased likelihood of bellwether trials and structured settlement negotiations
For law firms, this means that Maryland abuse cases now resemble a major mass tort, demanding the same sophistication, coordination, and long-term planning seen in national litigation.
Law firms entering this space must now understand MDL architecture—not the traditional one-claim-at-a-time approach.
Clergy Abuse Claims Update: Investigations Into Ronald J. Tully
In addition to state-institution abuse lawsuits, Maryland continues to see clergy abuse claims tied to multi-state histories. One significant case involves Father Ronald J. Tully, a former priest with a documented pattern of allegations across New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Tully’s Background and Connection to Maryland
Tully’s assignments included:
- Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C.
- Pope Pius High School in Passaic, New Jersey
- Multiple parishes in the Diocese of Paterson
The Archdiocese of Washington—where Tully also served—covers five Maryland counties:
- Montgomery County
- Prince George’s County
- Calvert County
- Charles County
- St. Mary’s County
History of Allegations
A decades-long record shows:
- A 1979 criminal case after teens reported abuse (dismissed in 1980)
- Multiple civil claims filed over the years
- More than $2.1 million in settlements tied to at least nine survivors
- Additional allegations emerging in recent years
Tully was removed from ministry in 2004 and died in 2018, but his case continues to support claims under Maryland and New Jersey’s expanded statutes of limitations.
Why Law Firms Should Pay Attention
Tully’s multi-jurisdictional assignments highlight the need for:
- Cross-institutional investigation
- Insight into how clergy were moved across state lines
- Coordination with firms handling parallel cases
- Understanding the new legal windows that now allow previously time-barred survivors to file
Maryland’s evolving abuse landscape means firms must prepare for complex histories, decades of concealed misconduct, and the need for extensive documentation and survivor support.
A Case Study in Modern Mass Tort Abuse Litigation
Maryland’s developments reflect a national shift in how courts and law firms handle institutional sexual abuse cases.
Key Trends Law Firms Should Recognize
- Mass-tort structures are becoming standard in large-scale abuse litigation
- Repealed statutes of limitations are opening the door for survivors to file decades-old claims
- Court transparency is replacing private settlement models used by some institutions
- Survivor-centered representation is essential for trauma-informed legal practice
- Multi-state investigations are more common due to clergy mobility and institutional transfers
For law firms, this means litigation support, case management systems, and mass-tort experience are no longer optional—they are essential tools.
Connect With Blue Sky Legal
If your firm is litigating institutional sexual abuse claims—or preparing to enter this expanding field—now is the time to align with partners experienced in mass tort coordination and institutional accountability.
Contact Blue Sky Legal today!
