Summit Academy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Financial Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse

Injury Lawyer team is committed to helping Summit Academy sexual abuse survivors seek justice for the tremendous harm that child sexual abuse causes throughout a young person’s life.

With our help, you can file a lawsuit and take back control from negligent school officials who refused to protect you from abusers. Contact us today for a confidential, free consultation about taking legal action.

Allegations of Sexual and Physical Abuse at Summit Academy

Summit Academy is a private residential school for at-risk boys aged 13 to 17. The academy claims that it provides comprehensive services for young people with a history of trauma, which include substance abuse treatment, education, mental health services, athletics, and trade instruction.

However, child sexual abuse survivors have stepped forward with allegations of rape, molestation, and exploitation occurring on the facility’s isolated 125 acres.

Physician With a History of Molesting Children Pleads Guilty to Summit Academy Sexual Abuse

In 2013, Dr. David Evanko, a consulting physician with Summit Academy, admitted to sexually abusing two students in the 2000s.

At the time of this criminal case, he was already in prison for other charges, which stemmed from his time as a Boy Scout leader in the 1980s and 1990s. One of the cases was dropped because the statute of limitations had expired, but the other resulted in a conviction. According to the survivors, Evanko plied them with alcohol and explicit images, classic grooming techniques.

Evanko was ordered to serve six to 15 years in prison for all charges, as the Summit Academy sentence runs concurrently with his original sentencing.

However, these are not the only two cases where Dr. Evanko has been accused of misusing his position of authority. Another trial in 2010 alleged that Dr. Evanko inappropriately touched two teenage patients. The case ended in a mistrial and was appealed.

Former Employee Uses Facilities for Inappropriate Sexual Acts

Jordan Dominique Ondish, a special education teacher at Summit Academy, was fired and charged with institutional sexual assault in December 2017.

Ondish, who began working at the school in June 2017, allegedly developed an inappropriate relationship with a 19-year-old student, purchasing him a cell phone so that they could have sexually charged conversations. The student was not supposed to have access to a cell phone, as this is against school rules. They then went on to have sex at least two times in an empty classroom.

Before the sexual abuse occurred, Ondish had been reprimanded for her inappropriate conduct with the victim, such as having him in her classroom alone. The former employee alleged that she had developed an attachment to the victim because she was in an emotionally abusive relationship at home.

Former Students of Summit Academy File Class Action Lawsuit

In 2023, seven former students filed Quann et al v. The Summit School Inc., alleging they were the victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse while they lived at this juvenile detention center.

According to their claims, staff members exploited the school’s isolated rural location to keep children from getting help or sharing their experiences with others. As previously mentioned, the school does not allow students to have cell phones, making it difficult for them to contact loved ones or report abuse to the authorities.

Those who tried to speak out about the abuse were subject to retaliation, only making their lives harder. This is a clear failure on the part of the staff members to fulfill their status as mandated reporters (23 Pa.C.S. §6311 et seq.).

Allegations also included that Summit Academy did not have a safe and transparent way to confidentially report abuse, as is required by Pennsylvania law (55 Pa. Code Chapter 3490). Barring survivors from making confidential reports is another way to keep them from speaking up, as they would have to identify themselves directly to an employee.

What Damages Can Victims Recover in Child Sexual Abuse Claims?

Our experienced team of lawyers will pursue all potential damages through school sexual abuse lawsuits. These damages can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Psychological treatment and counseling
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

Pennsylvania law allows punitive damages to be awarded on a per-defendant basis in lawsuits rather than on a per-case basis, meaning that you may be awarded significantly higher non-compensatory damages than may be possible in other states.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Abuse at Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Centers?

Our experienced attorneys will pursue justice from all possible defendants in boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits, which can include the following.

• Individual Perpetrator: The person responsible for the mistreatment is typically the first party in a Summit Academy sexual abuse lawsuit. If this person is deceased, then we can proceed with claims against other parties. They do not have to be currently employed at the academy to be considered liable; we only need to prove that they were employed at the facility at the time of the abuse.
• Other Employees and Staff: Employees of residential treatment centers like Summit Academy are mandated reporters who must take all allegations of sexual abuse seriously. They are required to report their concerns to ChildLine. If they fail to do so, then they can be considered liable.
• Supervisors and Site Managers: An employee’s supervisor can be held liable for sexual abuse if they failed to properly train or supervise their employees.
• Residential Treatment Facilities: Institutions like Summit Academy, George Junior Republic, or Lancaster County Juvenile Detention Center must prevent institutional sexual abuse, which is its own criminal charge under state law (18 Pa.C.S. §3101 et seq.). They can be liable for negligent background checks, hiring, training, or supervision.

Other potential, but less common, liable parties for Summit Academy sexual abuse include the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). This could be if they received substantiated reports of abuse but failed to intervene, such as by ordering investigations.

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Pennsylvania?

The statute of limitations for a Pennsylvania school sexual abuse lawsuit depends on the survivor’s age at the time of the abuse.

Victims under the age of 18, whose abuse occurred after the Child Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Reform passed in 2019, have until they are 55 to file a claim (42 Pa.C.S. §5533(b)(2)(i)). If the individual was between the ages of 18 and 24, they have until they are 30 years old to pursue civil action (42 Pa.C.S. §5533(b)(2)(i.1)).

There is a two-year lookback window for abuse occurring before 2019, which runs until November 2025 (42 Pa.C.S. §5533(b)(2)(ii)).

Adults who have been sexually abused have the standard two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (42 Pa.C.S. §5524(7)).

However, even if your abuse claim stems from mistreatment years before 2019, we may still be able to help. Our consultations are free, confidential, and no-obligation. Contact us to learn if you may still have a possible lawsuit.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

Summit Academy sexual abuse cases are challenging, both because of the severe trauma that survivors have experienced and because of the complicated liability involved. Survivors may be afraid of the legal process, and critical records may have been lost or destroyed. The stigma of sexual or physical abuse, as well as the potential for legal action against them, may keep some witnesses from testifying.

As members of the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys and the American Association of Justice (AAJ), our skilled and compassionate attorneys can confidentially guide young people and adult survivors through the civil lawsuit process, protecting their privacy and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. Our comprehensive legal services include the following.

• Free Case Evaluation: The lawsuit process begins when you contact us for a confidential consultation. We will review your information and determine the potential damages you may be able to pursue. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
• Investigation: Our team will track down and review medical records, school reports, employment records, and any complaints made about the perpetrator throughout their employment. This both verifies your story and demonstrates whether anyone else may have been aware of the abuse.
• Witness Interviews: As trauma-informed legal advocates, our attorneys will carefully interview you and other survivors to gather information without retraumatizing you, which is a common problem in legal processes that are not approached with care.
• Negotiation: After evaluating your damages, we will craft a demand letter that encompasses all your damages and explains the significant toll that sexual abuse has placed on you throughout your life. We will handle all third-party negotiations on your behalf, shielding you from intrusive questions and enabling you to focus on healing.
• Trial Representation: Many claims are settled out of court, as this is faster, less expensive, and less stressful for survivors. However, if the academy or other defendants refuse to negotiate, we may file a claim with the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas or another court. Our team will share information with the other parties, file the appropriate motions, and share your story with a judge and jury to ensure that you receive justice.

Book a Free Consultation

Summit Academy sexual abuse has led to lifelong trauma for survivors, but you don’t need to fight alone. Our firm will handle your sexual abuse lawsuit on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation 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.