Summit Oaks Hospital Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Substantial Compensation for Sexually Abused Victims

Youth residential treatment centers are prevalent throughout the United States, including New Jersey. These facilities are designed to support minors with behavioral and mental health challenges. Unfortunately, many facilities like Sumit Oaks Hospital have become plagued with concerns of sexual abuse. If you have been treated improperly as a resident, you can pursue a Summit Oaks Hospital sexual abuse claim to recover compensation and hold your abuser accountable. 

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to helping survivors file New Jersey sexual abuse lawsuits. We will provide compassionate legal support as you navigate the claims process and seek justice against the at-fault parties in your case. 

Sexual Abuse at Facilities Like Summit Oaks Hospital

Widespread abuse has occurred at juvenile detention centers and rehabilitation facilities across the country. Many of these institutions operate in similar ways to Summit Oaks, although there are no specific lawsuits for sexual abuse against this New Jersey facility. 

Let’s examine some cases involving alleged abuse at these types of facilities.

100 Former Patients File Civil Claims Against Universal Health Services

In a major class-action lawsuit, roughly 100 former minor patients of facilities in Illinois are suing the parent company, Universal Health Services, for failing to address allegations of abuse in many of their facilities. At multiple locations, children were sexually abused or assaulted by employees, other residents, and third parties. 

Now, the children are coming forward as adults to ensure UHS is held vicariously liable for the failures of its facilities. Through legal action, these survivors are attempting to seek justice and obtain financial compensation for their suffering. 

UHS Hit With Two Lawsuits That Could Total $895 Million in Damages

UHS is also being held liable for two lawsuits that may total $895 million in damages. These judgements, if rendered, could represent some of the largest settlements for institutional sexual abuse allegations in the country. 

In the first case, three plaintiffs were awarded $360 million for abuse they suffered as young people in a UHS facility. The trauma they endured came at the hands of a physician employed at one behavioral health hospital. At least 40 other victims are seeking damages for similar incidents of neglect and abuse. 

Another lawsuit is pending for just one victim who suffered from sexual assault by another resident. If successful, United Health Services would have to pay $535 million for one of its facilities that allowed a minor patient to assault another. In its defense, the parent company argued that this amount was far too high for a single-victim injury claim. 

Former Residents Seek $114 Million From a Virginia Institution and Medical Director

Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents is facing a lawsuit valued at $114 million, brought by 18 former patients in Virginia. Some of the survivors, including one as young as seven years old at the time, claimed they were sexually abused by the medical director, Daniel Davidow, who served at the facility from 1996 to 2020. 

The lawsuit claimed that when the plaintiffs were minors, Davidow would conduct physical exams that involved inappropriate touching of their private parts during the course of his employment. 

He would also abuse the residents by insisting on additional check-ups and pelvic exams for private access, which all served as a guise to touch their intimate parts and engage in penetrative acts with his fingers and inanimate objects. 

What Damages Can Survivors of Alleged Abuse at Summit Oaks Hospital Recover?

If you plan to seek compensation for sexual abuse that occurred in juvenile detention centers or rehabilitation facilities, you must be able to prove legal damages. Here are some common damages associated with sexual abuse in New Jersey.

Economic Damages

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Diminished earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitivie Damages

Additional damages may be awarded in a civil lawsuit that involves gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups. 

Why You Need a Sexual Abuse Lawyer for a Case Against Summit Oaks Hospital

Since Summit Oaks Hospital is under the management of Universal Health Services, it is not impossible that sexual abuse occurred at this facility. However, winning a civil lawsuit comes with numerous challenges, such as:

• Establishing vicarious liability with UHS
• Gathering evidence from a facility with little transparency
• Facing defenses from experienced legal professionals

Injury Lawyer Team has the experience and resources needed to win a settlement via sexual abuse lawsuits. 

What Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Claims in New Jersey?

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:61B-1 – Victims who have been sexually abused can pursue legal action to obtain damages like lost income, medical expenses, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. 

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.10 – Mandated reporters who have cause to believe that sexual abuse occurred against a child must report it to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. 

How Long Do Victims Have to File a Lawsuit in New Jersey?

Under the New Jersey Child Victims Act, the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse has been extended. Survivors who were sexually abused can pursue justice up until they turn 55 years old or within seven years of discovering the sexual abuse occurred, whichever is later. 

For criminal charges involving child sexual assault, there is no statute of limitations under New Jersey law. 

Whether you are pursuing civil action or criminal charges, it is essential to act promptly to preserve evidence and avoid any statutes of limitation. 

Who Is Legally Liable for Sexual Abuse at Summit Oaks Hospital?

To seek justice for the harm you suffered as a child, you must establish liability with the negligent parties. Liability may be more complex than you initially assume, especially since institutional liability can be applied to hold employers and parent companies accountable for negligent hiring practices or inadequate supervision.

Potentially liable entities in your claim may include:

• Individual perpetrators
• Employers of known predators
• Insitutions
• Administrators
• State agencies
• Parent companies (like UHS)

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Seeking justice after suffering from sexual abuse can be an overwhelming process. You should have the option to focus on healing while a crack team of attorneys handles the legal logistics of your case.

At Injury Lawyer Team, our legal services include:

• Conducting an investigation of the institution where the abuse occurred
• Gathering evidence of sexual abuse to build a strong case
• Reviewing legal damages
• Negotiating for a fair settlement
• Litigating in civil court if necessary
• Resolving your sexual abuse lawsuit for the maximum settlement

Consult a New Jersey Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near You!

Our firm is 100% committed to justice for survivors of sexual abuse. Whether the defendant in your case is an individual employee, another resident, an institution, or a national entity, our team will guide you through the appropriate action to file suit and protect your rights under state and federal laws. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome for your claim. Then, we only receive payment out of the total settlement value, so there are no out-of-pocket costs. 

You can also take advantage of a free consultation to ask questions about filing a claim in a safe and confidential setting. We provide a compassionate approach as you share your story of how the sexual abuse occurred. 

If you suffered harm in a New Jersey institution and want to know more about mental health center sexual abuse lawsuits, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation. 

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.