Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Seek Compensation for Sexual Abuse at Juvenile Detention Centers
New Jersey youth detention centers have become infamous in recent years due to lawsuits and criminal charges alleging sexual abuse of minor inmates. Facilities have been implicated in these cases, with many being accused of institutional negligence for failing to protect children. If you are a survivor of Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center sexual abuse, you could seek compensation via a lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
Injury Lawyer Team is prepared to guide you through the claims process and maximize your chances of a fair settlement as you seek justice. Our attorneys know what it takes to win a New Jersey sexual abuse lawsuit based on decades of experience and a 98% success rate.
Allegations of Sex Abuse at Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center
This juvenile detention facility closed in 2009 due to financial reasons. However, multiple survivors of child sexual abuse have come forward in recent years, accusing the Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center and former staff members of allowing sexual abuse.
A lawsuit filed against four separate New Jersey facilities included three plaintiffs who had been sexually abused in the Passaic County center. As some of the most vulnerable members of society, underage inmates often face sexual and psychological abuse from those in positions of power.
The three plaintiffs, along with survivors from other facilities, claimed that they had been subject to coercive sexual contact, assault, and threats.
The victims also stated that these institutions had a rampant culture of sexual abuse, where predators were protected and young people were silenced when they attempted to report sexual abuse.
What Damages Can Victims of Abuse at Juvenile Detention Institutions Recover?
If you pursue legal action and win your case, you could receive financial compensation in the form of a settlement. The value of your civil lawsuit will depend on the legal damages you suffered after the sexual abuse occurred.
Economic Damages
- Lost income – A victim of sexual abuse may be forced to miss work because of their injuries, but they can recover lost wages via a settlement.
- Medical expenses – For costs associated with treatment, such as medication, rehabilitation, emergency care, and therapy.
- Diminished earning capacity – Difficulty finding and maintaining employment may be the result of trauma after the sexual abuse occurred.
Non-Economic Damages
- Emotional distress – Many survivors of sexual abuse struggle with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Pain and suffering – If the sexual abuse caused severe injuries, you may be eligible for pain and suffering damages.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Those who have been sexually abused often struggle to enjoy life to the fullest after their trauma.
Punitive Damages
A judge or jury sometimes awards this type of loss in cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups.
What New Jersey Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Claims?
- N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.10 – Employees in juvenile detention centers are most likely considered mandated reporters because of their proximity to minors. Under this New Jersey law, mandated reporters are required to report suspected sexual abuse through official channels.
- N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-2 – This law outlines the definition of criminal sexual assault. An act of sexual penetration that involves a minor, another crime, coercion, a weapon, or a position of authority by the offender may constitute criminal sexual assault.
How Long Do Victims Have to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in New Jersey?
When filing a sexual abuse lawsuit, it is important to understand how the statute of limitations may affect your timeline.
Under the Child Victims Act, in effect since December 2019, survivors of child sex abuse can pursue legal action within seven years of discovering the abuse occurred or by the time they turn 55 years old, whichever is later.
Criminal acts of sex abuse do not have the same limitations. If you were sexually abused as a minor and want to press charges against the perpetrator, there is no statute of limitations to contend with under New Jersey statutes.
No matter what type of legal process you are pursuing, success may depend on acting quickly. The sooner you pursue a lawsuit or criminal charges, the easier it will be to gather compelling evidence to support your allegations.
Who Is Legally Liable for Abuse at a Juvenile Detention Center?
For the sexual abuse that occurred at Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center, multiple parties were implicated in criminal actions and lawsuits. Establishing liability requires a defendant, but there is often more than one at-fault party in civil claims where sexual abuse occurred.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- Individual perpetrators (correctional officers, other inmates, prison officials)
- Facility leadership (wardens, board members)
- Government entities (state or county agencies that oversee the New Jersey juvenile detention center
- Security personnel
- Third-party contractors
- Other institutional staff (janitors, guards, medical professionals)
How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help
Being sexually abused as a child can have a devastating impact on the rest of your life. You deserve the chance to seek justice and obtain compensation for legal damages by filing a civil lawsuit. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to supporting survivors who have been sexually abused as they navigate the legal process.
We prioritize providing a safe and confidential space to share your story. Our attorneys understand the importance of a compassionate approach, so we will handle the legal logistics while you focus on healing, sharing your story, and seeking justice.
Our sexual abuse legal services include:
- Investigating the Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center or relevant facility
- Assessing all legal damages to develop a fair settlement request
- Gathering evidence of sexual abuse, such as witness statements, expert testimony, and surveillance footage
- Submitting subpoenas for institutional documents
- Negotiating with defendants and insurance companies for substantial compensation
- Litigating in civil court if necessary
Book a Free Consultation
Civil lawsuits are not easy to win. Without the right legal representation, you could face months or even years of litigation, all while dealing with the vast resources of state agencies or large institutions.
Injury Lawyer Team can level the playing field and give you a strong chance of securing compensation. Our team has helped numerous survivors file civil claims against negligent parties, ensuring they have the opportunity to share their stories of childhood sexual abuse.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you owe nothing unless we win your case. Our payment is then deducted from the final settlement, so you won’t have any out-of-pocket legal fees to worry about.
If you were sexually abused as a child and the abuse occurred in a New Jersey juvenile detention facility, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation about your juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawsuit.
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.