Bridge Family Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Financial Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse at Bridge Family Center in Connecticut

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are currently investigating the Bridge Family Center sexual abuse lawsuit and advocating for victims whose rights were violated.

When abuse occurs in a space designed to provide safety, the betrayal cuts even deeper. Our role as experienced Connecticut sexual abuse lawyers is to fight for victims who were failed by the very institutions that were supposed to protect them.

These allegations have raised serious questions about supervision, reporting, and the overall safety of vulnerable children placed in state-run or contracted care, where there should be no margin left for error. We believe that survivors of sexual abuse in these environments should not have to suffer in silence or navigate this complex legal process alone.

Our team is here to help these brave girls and their families hold negligent organizations and employees accountable, ensure the voices of survivors are heard, and secure financial recovery for the harm caused.

Sexual Assault at the Short Term Assessment & Respite (STAR) Group Home for Girls in Harwinton

The Harwinton Short Term Assessment and Respite (STAR) group home, operated by the Bridge Family Center under contract with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), became the focus of multiple lawsuits and investigations into several illegal activities regarding young girls.

Survivors and families have come forward describing a pattern of sexual abuse, physical assault, and systemic neglect to provide proper support.

September 2023

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 14-year-old girl who was physically abused and exposed to sexual assault during her stay from April to June 2023. Her mother alleged the center failed to provide proper care, allowed her to leave the facility unsupervised, and subjected her to illegal activities, resulting in physical and emotional harm.

February 2024

Another suit was filed by a grandmother whose 14-year-old granddaughter had been repeatedly assaulted by an employee in 2021. The claim alleged gross negligence, inadequate supervision, and poor staff training.

March 2024

A separate lawsuit involved a 14-year-old teenager who reported being raped and assaulted between March and May 2023. Again, the complaint highlighted the Bridge Family Center’s failure to protect vulnerable teen girls.

May 2024

The most recent lawsuit, filed May 22, 2024, involved a 15‑year‑old who had stayed at the home between January and April 2020.

It alleges she endured sexual assault by another resident, along with neglect, as a result of inadequate supervision, lack of employee training, and failure to implement her support plan. The lawsuit cites both corporate negligence and breach of the special duty of care to children and seeks punitive damages alongside compensatory relief.

These lawsuits underscore how the STAR home, intended as a place of support and stability at a young age, instead became a dangerous environment where children and teenagers were left unprotected or were even assaulted by an employee.

Closure Announcement by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families After Hearing by the Committee on Children

After a series of disturbing allegations of sexual abuse at the Harwinton STAR group home, lawmakers demanded answers. In October 2023, the Committee on Children held a public hearing, where advocates described how youth at the center were failed by not receiving adequate care and were left vulnerable because of improper supervision.

In November of the same year, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) officials announced the permanent closure of the Harwinton Short Term Assessment and Respite (STAR) home. Officials admitted that the program had failed to protect the girls and that the facility could no longer continue in its existing form.

Following the closure, the state department promised reforms. Plans were introduced to restructure STAR into smaller, trauma-informed programs with stronger staffing and oversight.

Who Is Liable in Lawsuits Following Sexual Abuse at STAR Homes?

First, the employee or staff member who committed or enabled the alleged incidents of sexual abuse can face both criminal charges and civil liability. When a child is assaulted by an employee, the law is clear that the perpetrator must be held accountable.

Second, the Bridge Family Center, which operated the Harwinton STAR facility, can be named as a defendant. Lawsuits have already been filed alleging that the center engaged in inadequate supervision, poor hiring practices, and systemic failures that allowed the abuse to occur. By accepting responsibility for proper care, the center took on a legal duty to safeguard every minor placed in its programs.

Finally, the Department of Children and Families may also share responsibility. When the department contracts with outside agencies but fails to adequately supervise, investigate reports, or respond to warning signs, the state can be held liable for negligence.

What Is the Average Sexual Assault Payout in Connecticut?

Recent data shows that sexual assault lawsuit payouts can vary widely depending on the circumstances. In Connecticut, case outcomes have ranged from as low as $638,333 to as high as $22,000,000. The median payout is approximately $6.8 million, while the average settlement or verdict is even higher at around $8,082,029.

This wide range reflects several factors, including:

The severity of the sexual abuse or physical injuries suffered
Whether the victim was a minor or adult at the time
Evidence of failed supervision or institutional negligence
The lasting emotional damage and trauma inflicted
The strength of the case against the organization, employees, and state agencies

While every case is unique, these figures demonstrate that Connecticut juries and courts recognize the seriousness of these allegations of sexual misconduct and that survivors who were sexually or physically assaulted in state-funded programs deserve justice and fair compensation for their suffering.

What Damages Can Sexually Assaulted Victims Recover?

When we represent victims in cases like the Bridge Family Center sexual abuse lawsuit, one of the most important steps is calculating the full scope of damages. Compensation covers immediate costs and acknowledges the lifelong impact of being exposed to sexual assault, physically abused, or left without proper care.

In Connecticut, damages may include:

Medical Expenses: Costs of hospital visits, therapy, medications, and treatment for physical injuries caused by the abuse.
Counseling and Mental Health Care: Long-term therapy to address emotional impacts, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Pain and Suffering: Recognizing the devastating psychological toll that abuse has on a victim’s quality of life.
Lost Wages or Earning Capacity: For survivors whose trauma affects their ability to work or pursue education.
Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious negligence or intentional harm, courts may award extra damages to punish those who failed to provide safety and to deter future misconduct.
Other Support Costs: Relocation expenses, security measures, or other needs tied directly to the trauma.

These categories reflect the reality that victims suffer a combination of physical, psychological, and financial impacts. Our role as sexual abuse attorneys is to pursue every possible avenue of recovery so that abused youth can rebuild their lives with dignity and security and help assure that these incidents never happen again.

How Long Do Survivors Have to Take Legal Action in Connecticut?

Time limits for filing a lawsuit in Connecticut depend on the survivor’s age and whether the abuser was criminally convicted.

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577e, there is no statute of limitations for civil claims against individuals convicted of 1st-degree sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault. Survivors of any age can file a lawsuit at any time.

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577d, those sexually assaulted before the age of 21 may file up until their 51st birthday. This extended window reflects the reality that many survivors of child abuse need decades before they feel ready to come forward.

If the abuse occurred at age 21 or older, the general tort deadline under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 applies, indicating three years to file a lawsuit from the date of the abuse.

These differences mean survivors should act promptly to protect their rights. Even with recent reforms, waiting too long can risk losing the ability to file.

Our team of Connecticut sexual abuse lawyers can help evaluate deadlines, investigate allegations, and ensure lawsuits are filed within the correct legal window.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Sexual abuse incidents like the one involving Bridge Family Center are complex. Survivors must face powerful institutions while coping with lasting trauma. Our role as experienced sexual assault attorneys is to handle the legal fight so victims and their guardians can focus on healing.

We investigate allegations, hold negligent facilities accountable, file lawsuits, and pursue full compensation for emotional harm and physical injuries. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, clients pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if we win.

If you or a loved one were harmed at a STAR home or another state-funded organization, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and let our team fight for the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

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.