Victims of sexual abuse in juvenile detention facilities may have the right to seek compensation for a number of harms, physical, emotional, and financial. What is available to you will depend on the severity of the abuse, how it has affected your life and the laws in your state.
Pain and suffering damages account for physical pain, emotional distress, psychological trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life. Because these harms have no fixed dollar value, courts weigh the full impact of the abuse on a victim's quality of life.
Many also seek compensation for documented psychological injuries, including:
Medical and mental health treatment costs are recoverable, including therapy, psychiatric care, prescription medications and estimated future treatment needs. Lost income and reduced earning capacity are also compensable where trauma interfered with education, employment, or career advancement.
There are other damages to be compensated for, such as lost education from interrupted schooling, damages to relationships resulting from social isolation or damaged family relationships, and treatment expenses for substance abuse where a nexus to the abuse can be shown.
In court cases, punitive damages are generally reserved for intentional wrongdoing, reckless disregard for the safety of children or cover-ups by institutions to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar conduct. If abuse contributed to a victim’s death, family members may have wrongful death options under state law.
If you suffered sexual abuse while detained in a juvenile facility, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our team has over 35 years of experience with cases of institutional abuse and we will review your case to see what legal options are available to you. Contact Atraxia Law today and we’ll review your case for free.