WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED IN PENNSYLVANIA FOSTER CARE?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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PENNSYLVANIA FOSTER CARE SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania Foster Care & Group Homes
Children who are placed with foster families or in group homes are in need of protection. Tragically, in Pennsylvania, some children in the foster care system were reportedly not protected and in fact were reportedly returned to their abusers where the abuse continued. Such actions represent a grave betrayal of innocent children.
At Levy Konigsberg, we are here to stand with survivors of foster care abuse in Pennsylvania. 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 in Pennsylvania, 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 October 2021, the social welfare agency, Turning Points For Children, signed a confidential settlement to pay $6 million to three young girls over its role in returning three girls to their sexually abusive father, who continued to assault them. An attorney who represented the girls said the welfare provider had knowledge of the abuse for years, and failed to follow protocols that could have protected the safety and well-being of the three children.
- A week later, the youth residential facility, Carson Valley Children’s Aid, agreed to pay $4.6 million in a settlement focused on one of the three girls. In 2015, the girl was removed from her father’s custody after a report of abuse and lived in foster care for several months. In 2016, she was transferred to Carson Valley which then allegedly allowed the girls to be returned to their father, despite the abuse. The girls’ father is serving a 37-year prison sentence in central Pennsylvania after he was convicted in 2018 of sexually abusing them.
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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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
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
Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Attorneys
In Pennsylvania, the current statute of limitations for civil sex abuse claims is the age of adulthood plus 37 years, which means that survivors sexually abused as minors typically have until the age of 55 to file legal action, as long as they were born after November 26, 1989.
As in other states across the country, Pennsylvania’s current statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims has been criticized for barring numerous survivors from seeking justice and compensation for their damages and for failing to recognize accepted research about the considerable difficulties survivors face when processing their abuse and taking steps to come forward. Thanks to new efforts by advocates and lawmakers, however, there are now several pending measures before the Pennsylvania Legislature that seek to expand the rights of child sex abuse survivors.
These groundbreaking measures, which are expected to pass, will create new opportunities for survivors to step forward and obtain long-overdue justice. If passed, these measures would create a temporary two-year window for child sexual abuse survivors to file claims over abuse that occurred at any time in the past.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at any Pennsylvania 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.