Many survivors believe that legal claims only pertain to juvenile halls operated by the government, but private facilities usually owe the same duty to protect the children in their care and can be held liable when they fail to do so. This includes residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, youth ranches, behavioral health programs, group homes, wilderness therapy programs and private rehabilitation facilities.
Private facilities can be held accountable when abuse stems from negligent hiring, skipped background checks, poor supervision, or failure to investigate staff complaints. Lawsuits in these cases often name several defendants, including individual abusers, facility operators, parent corporations, nonprofits or religious organizations, and any government agencies involved in overseeing the facility.
Liability is not limited to employee abuse. Facilities can be sued for failing to protect residents from abuse by volunteers, contractors or others who have access to the facility. The issue becomes whether the facility took reasonable steps to protect the children in its care.
Even if the facility has closed, you may still have legal options. Depending on state law, claims can often be brought against the operating company, a parent organization, or successor entities. Many states have also extended filing deadlines for childhood sexual abuse or opened revival windows that let older claims proceed.
Atraxia Law has over 35 years of experience handling institutional abuse cases involving both public and private facilities. We’ll review your situation, determine if you have a valid claim and connect you with a qualified attorney. Contact us today to find out what options may be available to you.