In recent years, former prison inmates in this state have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by guards and others in positions of authority. Thousands have filed lawsuits seeking compensation for their mistreatment.
Phillips Law Group is representing women in Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility sexual abuse lawsuits. Reach out to an attorney today if you were abused while an inmate at this facility and are ready to pursue justice.
Lakeview is a “shock” incarceration program that focuses on discipline, rigorous physical conditioning, and confrontational counseling. Once one of several shock incarceration programs in the state, it is now the only one still operating. There is mounting evidence that the inherent violence and indignity of the shock incarceration model provide opportunities for guards and others to abuse inmates psychologically, physically, and sexually.
In 2017 and 2018, two Lakeview corrections officers faced criminal charges related to sexually abusing inmates. In 2020, other inmates filed a federal lawsuit alleging rampant sexual abuse at the facility. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are speaking with others who may have been sexually abused at Lakeview and are interested in filing compensation claims.
Women who were sexually assaulted at Lakeview can seek civil compensation for the resulting harm. A lawsuit may be viable even if the specific abuser is dead, unknown, or was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
The lawsuits typically name the facility and the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The claims allege that these defendants allowed and covered up a culture of cruelty, exploitation, and abuse in these facilities.
A former inmate would need to recall the approximate date and the circumstances of the abuse. They also must demonstrate harm to either their physical or mental health, or both, due to the experience. An inmate who can prove the effects of the abuse can receive compensation for their medical treatment, counseling, and pain and suffering.
One of the challenges of civil lawsuits for sexual abuse is that it may take years before a survivor recognizes the impact of the harm they suffered. Even then, it may take survivors longer to feel ready to share their stories and seek accountability.
Unfortunately, statutes of limitations define the timeframes for bringing lawsuits and can prevent survivors from securing the justice they deserve. Even when substantial time has passed since the abuse, a survivor should consider speaking to an attorney. The legal professionals at Phillips Law Group can review the case to determine whether special circumstances affect the statute of limitations.
Most people who were adults when the sexual abuse occurred at Lakeview need to file suit within three years of the most recent incident. For some forms of abuse that occurred on or after September 19, 2019, New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 213-c allows a plaintiff 20 years to file a lawsuit. Women who suffered sexual abuse before they turned 18 may have until age 55 to sue, depending on the date of the abuse.
Coming to terms with sexual abuse is often a long and difficult process. The Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility sexual abuse lawsuits offer an opportunity to hold the state and others accountable for the inexcusable abuse you suffered. If you are ready to pursue justice against your abusers, reach out to Phillips Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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