Yes, former Paramus Catholic students can file a civil lawsuit — a claim seeking money damages — directly against former hockey coach Bernard Garris. They can also name the school and its religious operators as defendants, not only the coach, according to Herman Law and its Herman Law's New Jersey guide. BishopAccountability.org republishing NorthJersey.com reports a former student sued over alleged abuse from 1986–1989, ages 14–17, naming Bernard Garris and Donn Ernst in its Dec.
2025 lawsuit summary. BishopAccountability.org republishing NorthJersey.com also reports a second former student filed suit Jan. 14 alleging repeated abuse by Garris while enrolled in its Jan. 2026 lawsuit summary.
Official resources:
- Read New Jersey's time limits for childhood sexual-abuse civil actions — Verify the age-55 and discovery deadlines that determine whether a former student can still sue.
- Review how to file a civil lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court — Find the court's complaint packet and filing instructions for a civil case.
Table of Contents
- What pattern do the filings describe?
- Why sue the coach, the school, or both?
- How long do former students have to file?
- What should you do next?
What pattern do the filings describe?
The cases name adults employed by the school, not strangers. One man served as hockey coach. The other served as gym teacher.
The claims tie alleged abuse to enrollment as a minor. That school relationship often shapes duty, supervision, and evidence. Compare your own enrollment years, team or class contact, and staff roles.
Why sue the coach, the school, or both?
A claim against the coach focuses on personal conduct. A claim against the employer focuses on hiring, supervision, training, and response. Those are separate questions with separate proof.
That split can affect available records and payment sources. A New Jersey attorney can explain which defendants fit your facts. Write down names, job titles, and who supervised trips, practices, and locker areas.
How long do former students have to file?
New Jersey law permits childhood sexual-abuse civil actions within 37 years after age 18, by age 55, or within seven years of reasonable discovery, whichever is later, according to the New Jersey Legislature and its New Jersey childhood abuse bill text. Discovery generally means when you reasonably connect harm to abuse. Check these points with counsel promptly:.
- Were you under 55 when you act?
- Did you connect harm to abuse within the last seven years?
- Are you unsure when that connection occurred?
What should you do next?
Act quickly but quietly. Write a private timeline with school years, locations, witnesses, and any disclosure. Save report cards, yearbooks, team photos, letters, medical notes, and counseling records.
Do not post details online and do not contact possible defendants yourself. Ask a New Jersey-licensed childhood-abuse lawyer for a confidential review. Bring school years, staff names, photos, yearbooks, and any counseling or medical records to that first call.