Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Sexual Abuse

We Fight for Survivors of High School Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in a high school is a serious offense, and victims of these incidents often live with the consequences for the remainder of their lives. In Middlesex County, New Jersey, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School has been the subject of a major scandal in recent years. If you are the victim of a Saint Thomas Aquinas High School sexual abuse incident, you can pursue compensation via a lawsuit. 

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know what it takes to establish fault and earn compensation in these claims. We maintain a 98% success rate with past survivors of abuse, and we can guide you through the complexities of New Jersey school sexual abuse lawsuits. 

Child Sexual Abuse Material at St. Thomas Aquinas High School

The primary allegations of sickening conduct centered on one individual named Axel Palomares. He served as a Spanish teacher and girls’ soccer coach at the high school, and from 2022 to 2025, he was accused of alleged crimes against numerous victims. 

These offenses included creating child sexual abuse material, filming unaware undergarment-clad children in compromising situations, internet crimes, and sexually abusing underage girls. 

New Jersey State Police arrested Palomares in his home in 2025 after they received tips from an online app he had used to share child pornography materials. He has been charged with child endangerment, invasion of students’ privacy, and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. 

The investigation was last reported to be gathering information through the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office, during which Palomares was being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility pending a pre-trial detention hearing. St. Thomas Aquinas High School is cooperating with the investigation. 

Palomares had apparently passed all required criminal background checks and had no history of misconduct in his employment records. 

What Damages Can Victims of High School Sexual Abuse Recover in New Jersey?

Child sex abuse can have a devastating impact on the survivor, no matter the severity of the incident. A successful lawsuit allows the victim to recover compensation for certain legal damages caused by the abuse. 

Here are some of the most common damages cited in sex abuse lawsuits:

Economic Damages

• Lost income – Victims who are prevented from working due to physical injuries can seek compensation for lost wages
• Medical expenses – All costs associated with medical treatment can be part of the settlement, including emergency care, surgery, medication, pain management, and therapy
• Diminished earning capacity – Due to the trauma of the event, a victim may be unable to find or maintain steady employment in the future

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress – Sexual assault survivors may struggle with depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or self-harm because of their experiences
• Pain and suffering – A violent assault could leave the victim with injuries that cause ongoing pain
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Survivors may find it difficult to enjoy life experiences the way that others do, contributing to a lesser quality of life

Punitive Damages

In cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups, a judge may award punitive damages to the victim to further punish the defendant. 

Who Is Legally Liable for Abuse in Saint Thomas Aquinas High School?

Establishing the at-fault parties in your case is a crucial step toward resolving your claim. In many cases, it is not merely the fault of the abuser. 

Our attorneys will help you establish fault with the appropriate parties at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, which may include:

• School officials
• Teachers
• Other staff members
• Diocese of Metuchen
• Security personnel
• School board
• Principals or superintendents
• Other parties that behaved negligently

Laws Relevant to High School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in New Jersey

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:61B-1 – Individuals who have been sexually abused by institutions or people can pursue compensation for legal damages like pain and suffering, medical expenses, emotional trauma, diminished childhood, costs of therapy, and lost wages. 

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-2 – Sexual assault is an act of sexual penetration with a victim under 13, a relative between 13 and 16, the use of threats or coercion, or in the midst of another crime. 

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

Under state law N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2b & § 2A:61B-1, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse is when the victim turns 55 years old or within 7 years of discovery of the abuse, whichever is later. 

For criminal charges, there is no statute of limitations for sex abuse of a minor. Criminal action can be pursued at any age, even if the events occurred decades ago. Additionally, you can pursue civil action regardless of the existence of a criminal trial. 

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Being sexually abused as a child can be detrimental to your physical and mental health for the rest of your life. It takes so much courage to come forward about this type of misconduct, especially when it was perpetrated in a setting where you are supposed to be safe. 

Injury Lawyer Team will provide you with a safe space to tell your story and pursue justice against the at-fault parties. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and have helped many survivors obtain large settlements to secure their financial futures.

Our legal services include:

• Conducting a thoroguh investigation of the abuser and the institution that allowed their behavior
• Building a strong case with evidence, such as witness statements, school complaint reports, and expert testimony
• Securing medical testimony from licensed mental health professionals regarding your suffering
• Assessing all legal damages to maximize the settlement
• Negotiating with defendants and insurance companies for fair compensation.
• Litigating in civil court if necessary

Sexual abuse lawsuits can be overwhelming, but our firm can simplify the process to help you focus on recovery. 

Consult a New Jersey Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near You!

Sexual predators are often found to be those we trust the most, whether they are a girls’ soccer coach, a teacher, or a school administrator. At Injury Lawyer Team, we believe in supporting survivors so they can tell their stories and hold sexual abusers accountable. We also understand what it takes to hold institutions responsible for systemic failures that enable abuse. 

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we win a settlement. As a sign of our commitment to justice, we also offer a free consultation, allowing you to ask questions about your Middlesex County case without committing to legal action. 

If you are ready to step forward and speak out against your abuser, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation with expert New Jersey sexual abuse lawyers.