PALMETTO SUMMERVILLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health in South Carolina

The alleged abuse at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health demands action. Survivors are taking a stand, fighting for justice, and ensuring no one else suffers in silence. Levy Konigsberg is here to stand with you and fight for what’s right. Contact us today to join the fight.

Sexual Abuse Allegations at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health in South Carolina

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:

• In January 2023, it was reported that Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health received over thirty calls related to assaults, at least eight concerning suicide attempts or threats, fifty calls about runaways, and eight reports of sexual assaults since July 2019.

In July 2022, a patient allegedly punched and tore the clothes of a 10-year-old boy. His roommate—who reportedly had a history of non-consensual sexual acts—removed the child’s pants and touched him inappropriately, ultimately forcing himself on the boy and raping him.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of the victim also stated that the child informed another patient, who then alerted the staff, but the boy was still made to share a room with his attacker.

• A 2024 Senate report (p. 42) discussed a November 2022 investigation by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) into Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health. 

The investigation found that a 13-year-old, who had a confirmed history of child sexual abuse, assaulted a 10-year-old on two consecutive days. The perpetrator admitted to having sex multiple times behind the door. The Assistant Administrator noted that there was no video surveillance of the incident. According to the facility’s policy on room assignments, children aged 13 and older should not be housed with those aged 12 and younger. Additionally, the policy clearly stated that individuals identified as having a heightened risk for sexual aggression or victimization should be placed in rooms closer to the nurses’ station or in rooms equipped with video surveillance. This incident represented a violation of both policies.

The Senate report also provided evidence (pp. 50–51) of the violent use of force against patients at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health. 

In one incident, after a child struck a staff member with a bible, the staff member grabbed the child’s hair and put them in a chokehold. 

Another complaint submitted to the SCDHEC featured video footage of a restraint at Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health showing a staff member putting a child in a choke hold and then punching the child six times after taking them down to the ground.

In another complaint, a staff member allegedly struck a child in the stomach and then, several minutes later, hit the child with a closed fist on the left side of his head/face.

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 youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center staff member.
• The abuse occurred at any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention facility.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold 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 young residents.

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

South Carolina Sexual Abuse Attorneys

The statute of limitations is a law that limits the amount of time you have to start a legal case after something wrong or illegal has happened. Under current South Carolina law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse typically may file a civil lawsuit up until age 27 or three years after the victim realizes that the abuse caused injury–whichever comes later. However, a proposed bill (S 0148) introduced in 2025 offers hope for change. This bill would provide better opportunities for victims to seek justice if passed. If passed, the bill would extend the statute of limitations for sexual abuse to age 59 or 8 years from discovery, whichever is later, and open a 1-year revival window to file civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse.

Levy Konigsberg's experienced attorneys can help evaluate claims under these laws, including those for abuse that occurred years or even decades ago, and explain your rights and options.

Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at South Carolina youth residential treatment facilities.

We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and youth residential treatment facilities. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.