Brentwood Residential Center for Girls Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Holding the Brentwood Residential Center Accountable for Systemic Failures

Juveniles throughout New York state are sometimes placed in residential treatment centers to safeguard their mental health and provide educational opportunities for adjudicated minors. If you have been a victim of Brentwood Residential Center for Girls sexual abuse, you can hold the at-fault parties accountable via a lawsuit.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know what it takes to win New York residential treatment facility sexual abuse lawsuits. Our attorneys will guide you through the claims process to give you the best chance of securing compensation for legal damages. 

Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Brentwood Residential Center

One of the most prominent cases of alleged abuse at Brentwood Residential Center for Girls involved a youth support specialist named Ovzie Cannon. In 2023, Cannon admitted to raping one of the teens at the center after giving her marijuana edibles. 

At the time, Ovzie Cannon was assigned to monitor the room of a 15-year-old girl. On multiple occasions, he drugged and sexually abused her in his capacity as a youth support specialist at the juvenile detention center. Cannon was charged with third-degree rape, criminal sexual act, and endangering the welfare of a child. 

The Long Island facility is operated by New York’s Office of Children and Family Services. 

Is Brentwood Considered a New York Juvenile Detention Center?

The official description of the Brentwood Center for Girls lists the facility as a non-secure residential center for female adjudicated juvenile delinquents. Technically, it is considered a juvenile detention center, but it is not a high-security correctional institution. 

Who is Liable for Sexual Abuse in Brentwood Residential Center?

Determining the at-fault parties in juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawsuits is an essential step toward obtaining compensation. Although the individual abuser is at fault for the sexual misconduct you endured, other entities may be held liable as well.

Here are some potential defendants in civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse against New York juveniles:

• The individual abuser
• Other staff members who knew about the abuse
• Administrators who ignored complaints
• The State of New York
• Office of Children and Family Services
• Correctional officers
• Medical professionals at the juvenile detention center

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action in New York?

Under Section 208 of the New York Codes, child survivors of sexual abuse have until their 55th birthdays to pursue legal action against their abusers and other negligent parties. The lookback window for older claims ended in 2021 under Section 214-G (the Child Victims Act). Whenever injured parties file civil lawsuits, acting quickly is crucial to preserve potential evidence. 

Section 413 could also play a role in your claim, as it outlines the responsibility of mandated reporters to report suspected abuse to the appropriate entities. Most employees who work in proximity to minors in some capacity are considered mandated reporters. 

What Compensation Can a Lawsuit Provide for Survivors?

If you were sexually abused at the Residential Center for Girls and want to seek justice, you could obtain a settlement to cover your legal damages if successful. 

Here are the most common legal damages recovered by those who have experienced sexual abuse:

Economic Damages

• Lost income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Medical bills (emergency care, medical tests, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, therapy)
• Future medical expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts)
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

For cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups, a judge or jury may award additional compensation to the victim to further punish the defendant. 

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Pursuing sexual abuse lawsuits in New York comes with numerous challenges. You may be dealing with a lack of evidence, inadequate facility transparency, cover-ups, powerful insurance companies, or an experienced legal defense team. Injury Lawyer Team can level the playing field on your behalf to increase your chances of success.

Our legal services include:

• Investigating the abuse
• Gathering evidence
• Assessing damages
• Negotiating with insurers
• Litigating in civil court

Speak With Our Attorneys in a Confidential Consultation

Our attorneys are ready to help you seek justice if you have been the victim of a criminal sexual act or other forms of abuse. We will provide a compassionate and safe place to share your story and hold the at-fault parties accountable. 

We work on a contingency fee basis for sexual abuse lawsuits, which means you owe nothing unless we win. 

Contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced lawyer. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.