Devereux Cleo Wallace Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Assault at Devereux Cleo Wallace

Devereux Cleo Wallace had two campuses located in Colorado, both of which were unveiled as centers of sexual abuse and mistreatment of inmates and patients, which is a problem across the country. If you were the victim of Devereux Cleo Wallace sexual abuse, you could pursue fair compensation for legal damages with a lawsuit. 

Injury Lawyer Team has decades of experience supporting victims who have been sexually abused, including those in institutional settings. Our law firm will fight for your rights and hold the at-fault staff members, administrators, and agencies accountable for your suffering. 

Allegations of Abuse and Neglect at Devereux Cleo Wallace

Before the facilities shut down, there were decades of reports of alleged abuse. Let’s examine some of the most prominent cases that occurred at the juvenile detention center or residential treatment facility.

Abuse Investigations Ramp Up After Numerous Children Run Away

According to a report by the Colorado Sun, efforts to investigate sexual abuse at child facilities in Colorado are ramping up due to the number of children running away from treatment centers. Staff members are prohibited from physically restraining patients from running away, but they often call the police to assist in recovery efforts. 

Cleo Wallace was the source of the highest number of calls in the Denver area. Many of these patients claim to be running away from abusive situations. 

Patient at Cleo Wallace Dies After Getting Hit By a Car While Running Away

In one tragic event, a minor patient named Andrew had a history of running away from residential treatment institutions. In August of 2018, he left the Cleo Wallace campus and was struck by a car, dying at the scene. 

Investigators have stated that these frequent runaway accidents raise red flags about the kind of care the children are receiving. 

What Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Colorado?

If you were sexually abused at a youth center, several laws may impact your lawsuit:

Colorado Child Abuse Reporting Law, C.R.S. § 19-3-304

This law outlines who is considered a mandated reporter for the alleged abuse of a minor in this state. Employees at educational and institutional organizations that involve adolescents are typically required to file official reports of suspected or alleged abuse. 

Behavioral Health and Child Care Facility Licensing (12 CCR 2509-8)

This Colorado regulation established requirements for child care facilities throughout the state. Some of the standards include investigating the backgrounds of workers and volunteers, establishing procedures for reporting, and training employees on preventing sexual harm. 

What Damages Can Sexually Abused Victims Recover?

When pursuing juvenile residential treatment facility sexual abuse lawsuits, survivors can seek the following legal damages:

Economic Damages

• Lost income – If injuries from the incident force the survivor to miss work
• Medical expenses – For costs associated with treatment, such as medical care, medication, and therapy
• Lost earning capacity – The survivor’s ability to find and maintain employment is hampered by their physical or emotional health

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm
• Pain and suffering – Some survivors face years of physical pain from their injuries and cannot find answers
• Loss of enjoyment of life – It is common for survivors to struggle to find joy in normal life activities after being sexually assaulted

Punitive Damages

If your allegations involved gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups by the defendant, a judge or jury may award punitive damages to punish them further. 

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action Against Residential Treatment and Juvenile Detention Centers in Colorado?

C.R.S. § 16-5-401(1)(a.5)

In this state, there is no statute of limitations for sexual assault against a child if the crime is reported to law enforcement within 20 years of the victim turning 18. This only applies to criminal charges. 

For some other sex crimes, criminal charges are possible until the victim’s 28th birthday or within ten years of reporting, depending on the specific event. However, if DNA evidence is available, it can extend the deadline for seeking justice in criminal cases. 

S.B. 21-088 (Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act)

For civil claims in pursuit of a settlement, there is no statute of limitations for sexual misconduct against a minor if the incident occurred after January 1st, 2022. 

Previously, the deadline was three years from the discovery of the mistreatment. 

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

An experienced team of lawyers can make all the difference in earning a fair settlement for your ordeal. Injury Lawyer Team can help you seek justice and hold the at-fault parties accountable. We maintain a 98% success rate with our clients, which includes many youth survivors of abusive behaviors. 

Our legal services include:

• Investigating your concerns to pursue justice
• Gathering evidence of wrongdoing by employees or institutions
• Assessing all legal damages for maximum compensation
• Negotiating with insurers
• Litigating in civil court if a settlement cannot be reached

Contact Our Law Firm Today

Sexual abuse lawsuits can be very overwhelming for youth survivors, even if the events occurred years ago. Whether you were a resident in a treatment center or an inmate in a juvenile detention facility, you deserve justice for the pain you endured. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. We are committed to protecting your rights throughout the legal process while maintaining the highest standards of the attorney-client relationship. 

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 th