WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED AT A WOMEN'S PRISON?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN’S PRISON SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Representing Victims of Staff-on-Inmate Abuse at NH Women’s Prisons
Women’s prisons across New Hampshire have been widely criticized over failures to protect female inmates from sexual abuse committed by guards and staff. From sweeping investigations, civil lawsuits, and charges against numerous prison staff, the record shows that correctional facility operators failed for decades to reign in a systemic sexual abuse problem.
Now, former female inmates are stepping forward to file claims against the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and other operators over staff-on-inmate abuse. And thanks to recently passed legislation that lifted the statute of limitations for civil sex abuse lawsuits, these survivors include women who were abused years and decades ago.
Levy Konigsberg is a renowned trial practice known for litigating sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions, including county-operated jails, juvenile detention centers, and public and private prison systems. We’ve helped hundreds of former female inmates in the fight for justice and are available to speak with survivors who have questions about pursuing claims in New Hampshire.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Sexual Abuse in NH Women’s Prisons
New Hampshire’s history of staff-on-inmate abuse in prisons housing women has been documented through years of legal filings, lawsuits, and investigations. These records show that facility operators, including counties and the NH DOC routinely failed to adequately supervise and investite abusive staff and protect inmates from abuse.
Some examples include:
- In October 2013, former Strafford County House of Corrections Guard Patrick Shaeffer was indicted on eight counts of felony sexual assault over claims that he sexually abused multiple female inmates. The allegations, which accuse Shaeffer of using his position of authority to solicit sexual favors in exchange for small amenities, stem from incidents in 2019 and 2020.
- In March 2022, Max Fournier, a former guard at the Grafton County Jail, was indicted on four felony charges for sexually assaulting two female prisoners. Following the indictment, Grafton County officials stated that they had been aware of sexual assault allegations against Fournier as far back as 2019 but took no action at the time. Fournier was a corporal in charge of training new officers when the allegations were made.
- In May 2008, former prison chaplain Ralph Flodin was convicted on multiple sexual assault charges over abuse against a female inmate. Flodin, who admitted to touching and kissing the victim in a videotaped confession, had served as the chaplain at the Strafford County House of Corrections for over 10 years. In September 2008, he was sentenced to 2-10 years in prison.
- In November 2008, former corrections Sgt. Douglas Tower pleaded guilty to raping three women at the Shea Farm halfway house in Concord. Tower, who was already serving 21 to 40 years for sexually assaulting two other halfway house inmates, entered the plea in exchange for charges involving 8 other victims being dropped. Tower had previously been the subject of a May 2006 lawsuit brought by former inmates who alleged that the NH Department of Corrections knew that Tower had been abusing female inmates nearly seven months before they accepted his resignation and initiated an investigation, and that Tower himself threatened to return any inmate who repeated allegations against him to Goffstown prison.
We Handle Staff-on-Inmate Women’s Prison Sex Abuse Cases Across New Hampshire
Levy Konigsberg has earned national recognition fighting for survivors of staff-on-inmate sexual abuse and currently represents hundreds of former female inmates in the fight for justice in various states.
Now, we are working with a growing number of former female inmates who were sexually abused at various county-operated jails, prisons, and halfway houses across New Hampshire.
Our firm is actively investigating cases of female inmate sexual abuse at all New Hampshire correctional facilities. This includes:
- Strafford County House of Corrections
- Grafton County Jail
- Shea Farm Halfway House in Concord
- New Hampshire State Prison for Women located in Goffstown on Mast Road
- Lakes Region Facility located in Laconia on Right Path Way
- Calumet House on Lowell St. in Manchester
- North End Halfway House on North St. in Concord
- Our firm represents more than 500 women who were sexually abused in jails and prisons across New York. These cases, which were brought under a temporary lookback window created by the NY Adult Survivors Act, were profiled widely in the media, including a NY Daily News cover story and articles published by Prism, Gothamist, Buffalo News, and other media outlets.
- Thanks to groundbreaking laws that provide new opportunities for adult survivors to file claims, our firm represents a growing number of former inmates abused at jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers across New York, California, Maryland, and other states.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other women's prison staff member.
- The abuse occurred at any women's prison.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold women's prisons, youth residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect female inmates.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
New Hampshire Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations
This law means that survivors who were sexually abused in New Hampshire correctional facilities after September 2017 can file civil lawsuits over abuse that occurred at any time in the past.
We Represent Survivors in All Types of Sex Abuse Claims
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.