Juvenile detention and treatment centers such as Glen Mills Schools are supposed to provide a therapeutic environment for children and adolescents to address behavioral and other issues. Tragically, many of these facilities have failed the young people in their care and exposed them to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Survivors are taking legal action and filing Glen Mills Schools sexual abuse lawsuits. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse at Glen Mills Schools, speak with an attorney at Phillips Law Group. They can explain the legal process and represent you if you are ready to seek accountability and financial compensation for the abuse you suffered.
Legacy of Abuse at Glen Mills Schools
Glen Mills Schools was a juvenile detention facility and school for boys between the ages of 12 and 21. It had been operating since 1826. About half the residents came from Pennsylvania, and the other half were sent there on court orders issued around the country and even in foreign countries, as well.
Starting in 2018, accounts of abuse began appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. The U.S. Department of Justice began investigating the school later that year, and Pennsylvania authorities revoked its license and closed the facility in 2019. It has not reopened.
Hundreds of former residents of Glen Mills Schools have filed lawsuits seeking financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse they suffered. Some defendants have settled some of the lawsuits, but Phillips Law Group continues to prepare, file, and pursue cases. Anyone who suffered sexual abuse while a resident at Glen Mills Schools and is considering taking legal action should contact an attorney immediately.
Eligibility To File a Lawsuit
It is critical to understand the legal time limits for bringing civil claims for childhood sexual abuse. If the abuse happened before November 26, 2019, the time limits depend on how old a survivor was at the occurrence of the abuse.
If they were under 18 when the abuse occurred, a survivor has until their 30th birthday to file a lawsuit. A survivor who was over 18 when the abuse occurred has only two years from the incident to bring legal action.
A law expanding the time frames for sexual abuse survivors to bring lawsuits went into effect in 2019, but that law is not retroactive. Efforts to open a legal window for older survivors to bring a lawsuit continue. It is always wise to contact a Phillips Law Group attorney to determine eligibility to participate in a lawsuit seeking compensation for sexual abuse suffered at Glen Mills Schools.
Understanding the Lawsuits
Investigations are revealing that there may be thousands of residents who were abused at Glen Mills Schools. So far, hundreds have filed lawsuits.
The courts have consolidated many of the cases into a mass tort action, which is an efficient way for courts to handle many lawsuits that cover the same topic. Several individual cases will go to trial, and if the plaintiffs are successful, the defendants are likely to settle with all the participants in the mass tort action.
Other survivors may pursue their cases individually. An attorney at Phillips Law Group will evaluate an individual sexual abuse survivor’s situation and recommend the most effective legal strategy to pursue justice and accountability from Glen Mills Schools.
Contact an Attorney To Discuss a Lawsuit if You Were Sexually Abused at Glen Mills Schools
There is mounting evidence that abuse was rampant in Glen Mills Schools. If you experienced sexual abuse while a resident there, consider joining the Glen Mills Schools sexual abuse lawsuits.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group handle institutional sexual abuse cases capably, compassionately, and with respect for your needs. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation to explore seeking justice for the abuse you suffered.
Available 24/7