Institutional Sexual and Physical Abuse

Institutional Sexual and Physical Abuse In Pennsylvania

Institutional sexual and physical abuse is unfortunately a common issue that occurs in settings such as schools, churches, foster care systems, prisons, Little Leagues, Boy and Girl Scouts and other organizations responsible for the care and welfare of individuals, most commonly students but adults can also be victimized.

Victims of this abuse often suffer in silence, feeling trapped by fear, shame, and a lack of support.   It doesn’t have to be that way – and it’s not that way for our clients.

Lenahan & Dempsey Helps Victims of Institutional Sexual and Physical Abuse

At Lenahan & Dempsey we fight for the rights of those who have been abused in institutional settings.  We know how to get you the compensation you deserve to help rebuild your life.  We have won Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for our clients – and as a local law firm we hold a national reputation for our success on behalf of clients.

What Is Institutional Abuse?

Institutional abuse arises from harmful incidents inflicted by those in positions of power or authority within an institution. This abuse can be sexual, physical or psychological, and it can happen to children and adults alike. Often the abusers believe they are shield, ed by the power of the institution – but with the right legal advice this is not true.

Some Examples of Institutional Abuse

1. Schools:

In educational settings, abuse can take many forms, including but not limited to:

Sexual Abuse by Educators/School Staff/Fellow Students and School Visitors - These cases seem to frequently appear in local news.  Those within a school – from students to teachers/staff feel empowered by their status and take advantage of vulnerable students.

Physical Abuse - Instances of excessive corporal punishment or bullying by staff can also be physical abuse. For instance, there have been reports of staff members using physical restraint on students with disabilities, leading to physical and emotional trauma.  Lenahan & Dempsey has won cases and compensation for these cases.

Religious Institutions

Churches and religious organizations are also places where abuse can occur:

Clerical Sexual Abuse - Numerous cases have surfaced involving clergy of all denominations abusing their power to sexually exploit parishioners or minors. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has seen far too many of these cases – and Lenahan & Dempsey has been at the forefront of helping these victims.

3. Foster Care and Group Homes

Children in foster care or group homes are particularly vulnerable.  These children often feel they have no allies to protect them and suffer in silence.

Sexual Exploitation Including the use of Social Media.

There have been alarming instances where teachers, fellow students, caregivers or staff members have sexually abused children. In some cases, these individuals have been able to manipulate the system, allowing the abuse to continue unchecked.  As a society we are seeing more and more cases of social media used to share photos or stories victimizing young people and adults.  These victims have rights to protect themselves and we can help.

Lenahan & Dempsey Protects Your Legal Rights

Victims of institutional abuse in Pennsylvania have legal options to seek justice and compensation, including:

Negligence Claims - Institutions have a duty of care to protect those under their supervision. If they fail in this duty, they may be held liable for negligence.

Title IX - This federal law protects students from sex-based discrimination in educational settings. Victims of sexual abuse in schools may file complaints under Title IX, which can lead to investigations and potential remedies.

Child Protective Services (CPS) - When abuse is suspected, it is imperative to report it to CPS, which investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect. This reporting can lead to protective actions and legal repercussions for the abuser.

If you are a victim of Church Sexual or Physical Abuse, call us immediately at Lenahan & Dempsey – even if the instances of abuse happened many years ago.  1.888.536.2426.

There is no obligation and there’s never a fee until you get the compensation you deserve.

Why Call Lenahan & Dempsey?

Our success in winning Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients for all types of serious injuries has led to Judges and our peers voting us for inclusion in The Best Law Firms in America, and we are listed as a Tier 1 Law Firm (the highest rating).  Eight of our lawyers are listed in Best Lawyers in America and eight are listed as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.   Three, including Firm President John Lenahan, Jr., Managing Partner Timothy Lenahan and Attorney Matthew Dempsey are listed in The Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania (out of over 48,000 Pennsylvania lawyers).

Timothy Lenahan is also Best Lawyers in America’s Top Insurance Lawyer for his representation of the injured fighting against large insurers for the region of Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains.  He has previously been named Best Lawyers Top Personal Injury Lawyer for that region for his work fighting for the rights of injured people. This level of professional recognition is important because just about all Personal Injury cases, including Nursing Home Medication Errors are often highly complicated insurance cases.

What Can You Expect When Working With Lenahan & Dempsey

We have recovered Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients across almost all fields of Personal Injury, Insurance Bad Faith and Workers’ Compensation law.

We fully understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a case can take on victims and their families. Our highly dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals can point to a history of success supporting our clients and winning the money they need to rebuild their lives.

* Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms are trademarks of Woodward White.  Super Lawyers and Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania are trademarks of Thompson Reuters. Both trademarks are used with permission. Details on Settlements & Verdicts are found at LenahanDempsey.com. All law firms are required to note that because the facts of each case are different, past performance is not a promise of a future outcome.

CONTACT OUR FIRM

Call 888.536.2426 for a free consultation.

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