WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED IN NEW JERSEY FOSTER CARE?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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NEW JERSEY FOSTER CARE SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Nationwide Representation for Victims of Sexual Abuse & Molestation in Foster Care & Group Homes in New Jersey
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that children were sexually abused while placed in foster care homes and youth facilities across New Jersey.
A number of high-profile settlements and verdicts have demonstrated how survivors of foster care sexual abuse can hold the state and other responsible entities accountable through the civil justice system.
The experiences of survivors who have suffered abuse in foster care are deeply personal and heartbreaking. These stories aren’t just statistics or headlines—they are lived realities that reveal how the system has failed to protect the most vulnerable.
At Levy Konigsberg, we are here to stand with survivors of foster care abuse in New Jersey. We know how much courage it takes to come forward, and we are committed to holding individuals and institutions accountable. If you or someone you love has suffered abuse in foster care, contact Levy Konigsberg today for a free consultation.
Were you sexually abused?
High-Profile Payouts Illustrate How Survivors Can Use Civil Suits to Secure Justice
A number of high-profile legal filings, settlements, and verdicts have illustrated how government-operated foster care systems, private programs, and other responsible entities can be held liable for failures to protect foster children who are sexually abused. These cases have served an important purpose in highlighting systemic issues within foster care systems and have shown how survivors can harness the power of the civil justice system to secure the compensation they deserve.
Some examples include:
- In 2025, New Jersey paid more than $40 million to settle approximately half a dozen lawsuits from victims who were allegedly physically and sexually abused while under the state’s care as foster children.
Among the cases resolved:
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- $9.8 million each to two siblings allegedly abused in foster care beginning in 1969
- $9.5 million to a survivor after his alleged abuser, Matthew Brooks, was convicted and sentenced to prison
- $6.8 million to a survivor who was allegedly sexually abused from 1996 to 2000
- $3 million to a survivor who was allegedly raped by a foster parent’s son when she was 4 and 5 years old in 1979 and 1980
- $2.85 million to a survivor who was allegedly raped by his foster father at age 15
- In May 2025, the State of New Jersey agreed to pay $19.5 million to a brother and sister who endured years of sexual abuse in New Jersey foster homes in the late 1960s and early 1970s. One of the siblings’ abusers was Joseph Salmon who allegedly sexually abused multiple of his foster children. Salmon pleaded guilty in 1972 to sexually abusing a foster child when she was 8 years old and also pleaded guilty to raping his grandson in 1987. According to the lawsuit, Salmon was not the only abusive foster parent in the siblings’ lives. They alleged that they later went to live with other licensed foster parents and endured more sexual and psychological abuse, and even witnessed other assaults on other foster children in the home.
- In May 2024, a $6.75 million settlement was awarded to a woman who filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.
She was allegedly raped by more than one foster father in state-licensed foster homes, starting when she was an 8-year-old and one other foster father.
- In March 2024, a New Jersey jury awarded a $25 million verdict to a victim who was sexually abused in three Middlesex County foster homes.
The lawsuit was filed in December 2019 against the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP).
The victim entered her first foster home at age 5 in 1987 and was sexually abused at age 6 by a babysitter’s husband. She was then placed in the second foster home for two months, where she reported being abused by her foster mother’s adult son. In the third foster home, she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her foster father and foster mother’s teenage son until age 9, when she was returned to her family.
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 in a foster care home.
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 Jersey Sexual Abuse Attorneys
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations previously imposed a strict deadline for victims of sexual abuse to file claims or seek compensation. However, recognizing the lasting impact of sexual abuse and the obstacles survivors face in pursuing justice, the state enacted the Child Victims Act in 2019. This landmark legislation significantly extended the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse cases. The law provides more opportunities for victims to seek justice and compensation, acknowledging the complexities and challenges associated with reporting and prosecuting sexual abuse.
Under New Jersey law, specifically NJ Stat. § 2A:14-2a, survivors of sexual abuse now have an extended timeframe to pursue legal action. Childhood sexual abuse victims can file civil claims until age 55 or seven years after recognizing the trauma, whichever is later. This allows survivors to seek justice against their abusers and any liable institutions. For those sexually abused as adults (age 18 or older), the deadline to file a civil lawsuit is seven years from the incident of abuse.
Seeking legal guidance is crucial when navigating the complexities of the statute of limitations. Your attorney can review your case, explain the statute of limitations to you, and assist you in determining if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at any New Jersey foster home.
We are here for survivors of sexual abuse in foster care—listening, supporting, and fighting for justice. Every child deserves safety, and we are committed to holding those who failed them accountable while working toward a future where no child has to endure such pain.
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.