Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe v. Corbett Cmty. Church, No. 16CV33426 (Or. Cir. Ct. Multnomah Cnty. Feb. 20, 2018).

When Doe was 13, he participated in church-sponsored teen activities. Youth pastor Dave Ransdell, 23, who organized the program, began grooming Doe by giving him attention, establishing emotional intimacy, and telling him details of his own childhood, including that he had been sexually abused. Ransdell then sexually abused Doe, touching his genitals and showering with him, among other things. Doe has suffered from emotional issues throughout his life as a result of the babuse and has experienced suicidal thoughts.

Doe sued Ransdell and his employer, Corbett Community Church, alleging direct and agency liability for the abuse. The plaintiff claimed that he had slept at Ransdell’s house approximately 30 times and had shared a sleeping bag with him on church-sponsored trips.

Ransdell settled before trial. The jury awarded $800,000, and the parties settled under the terms of a pretrial high-low agreement for the church’s policy limits.

Plaintiff counsel: Randall Vogt and AAJ member Barbara Long, both of Portland, Ore.