Cumberland Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Free Consultations for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse
Multiple New Jersey juvenile detention centers have been implicated in child sexual abuse in recent years. Some of the survivors of sexual abuse have come forward to file lawsuits against these facilities, including Cumberland Juvenile Detention Center. If you were sexually abused in this institution, you can pursue compensation with a Cumberland Juvenile Detention Center sexual abuse claim.
Injury Lawyer Team is the firm you need to maximize your chances of compensation. Our attorneys will guide you through the claims process and hold the at-fault parties accountable with a New Jersey sexual abuse lawsuit.
Alleged Abuse at Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Center
In 2024, lawsuits were filed against four New Jersey juvenile detention facilities, including the one in Cumberland County. Under the Child Sexual Abuse Act, the statute of limitations has expanded for minor victims of abuse, allowing adults to come forward and pursue justice if abuse occurred during their childhood.
In this lawsuit, nine men and two women shared stories about how they were sexually abused and assaulted when they were minors in these detention centers. Their stories reveal a pattern of widespread sexual abuse in juvenile detention facilities.
According to the survivors’ statements, they were subjected to coercive sexual contact, inappropriate touching, psychological harm, sexual assault, and threats of withheld privileges for coming forward.
Underage inmates are some of the most vulnerable members of society due to the power dynamics in juvenile detention settings, and authority figures regularly took advantage to commit childhood sexual abuse. Additionally, the lawsuit claims some staff members failed to report abuse, thereby allowing it to continue.
Now, the survivors have chosen to seek justice by suing the facilities in Cumberland, Passaic, Mercer, and Hudson Counties. They are taking action against individual perpetrators (some of which no longer alive) and government entities running detention sites for failing to protect children from abuse.
What Damages Can Sexually Abused Victims Recover?
Survivors who pursue youth detention center sexual abuse lawsuits are eligible for numerous legal damages if they can establish liability. Here are some types of financial compensation you could earn with a successful lawsuit:
Economic Damages
These losses are generally attached to specific amounts and can include:
- Lost wages – If the injuries suffered during sexual abuse prevent you from working, you could recover lost income
- Lost earning capacity – Survivors of juvenile detention sexual abuse could be so affected by their experiences that they cannot find meaningful employment
- Medical expenses – Costs associated with treatment after the abuse occurred can include emergency care, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic losses are more open-ended and relate to the long-term impact of the abuse:
- Emotional distress – The emotional impact of abuse could lead to depression, PTSD, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and other forms of mental trauma
- Pain and suffering – If the sex abuse you suffered was particularly violent, it could cause physical pain from injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Even if you seek justice via a lawsuit, sex abuse could make it difficult to enjoy everyday aspects of life, diminishing your quality of life
Punitive Damages
In civil lawsuits, a judge or jury may award additional compensation to the injured parties in the form of punitive damages. These damages are reserved for cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups.
How Long Do Victims Have to File Civil Lawsuits in New Jersey?
In December 2019, the Child Victims Act went into effect. This piece of legislation expanded the statute of limitations for legal action related to child sexual abuse. Acts like this allow survivors to file claims even decades after the abuse occurs.
If you suffered from sexual abuse in a juvenile detention center, you can pursue compensation up until you turn 55 years old or within seven years of discovering the abuse, whichever is later.
Criminal actions are not the same. New Jersey has eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual assault. This means you can pursue criminal charges against the abuser at any point as an adult, even if the event happened decades ago.
How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help
Young people in Cumberland County juvenile facilities are extremely vulnerable to authority figures. In the recent sexual abuse lawsuits, some of the defendants included art teachers, powerful institutions, correctional staff members, and state agencies. As a survivor of sexual abuse, your best chance of obtaining a settlement is with Injury Lawyer Team on your side.
Our legal services include:
- Investigating the institution to establish liability
- Assessing all legal damages to maximize your settlement
- Gathering evidence of the abuse to prove negligence
- Submitting subpoenas to acquire facility documents
- Negotiating with insurance companies for maximum compensation
- Protecting your rights under New Jersey laws
- Litigating in civil court if necessary
At our law firm, attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Rather than forcing you to pay upfront for our services, you pay nothing unless we win. Our payment is then deducted right from the settlement. We can help you hold Cumberland County prison officials and administrators responsible for their failures.
If you have been subjected to sexual abuse in a juvenile facility, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced lawyers.
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.