Foster Care Sex Abuse Lawsuit Settlements

If children are placed in foster care and forced to live in a foster home by the state, and they are sexually abused while in foster care, they can sue the state for negligently failing to protect them. Foster care sex abuse lawsuits are now being filed across the country. On this page, our national sex abuse lawyers will look at the basics of foster care sexual abuse lawsuits and their potential settlement payout value.

Our foster care sexual abuse lawyers represent victims across the country. If you have a foster care sex abuse case, contact us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

Foster Care Lawsuit Updates

Foster care sex abuse lawsuits are getting a great deal of attention in 2025. Here is the latest news in these lawsuits:

May 6, 2025: New Foster Care Sex Abuse Lawsuit in Ohio

In a devastating new lawsuit filed yesterday in federal court, a young woman from Athens, Ohio, alleges that South Central Ohio Job and Family Services betrayed its most basic duty: to protect vulnerable children. The complaint outlines how the agency, along with one of its social workers, knowingly placed her, then a child, into the care of a registered sex offender, with catastrophic consequences.

According to the complaint, this was not a one-time mistake. Tragically, this was a sustained, deliberate indifference. Beginning in 2014, the plaintiff was repeatedly left for extended periods with a Tier 1 sex offender under the guise of “respite care,” despite warnings from her own family and clear documentation of his criminal past. For two years, she endured repeated sexual abuse and physical violence. Yet when she bravely reported the abuse to her caseworker, she was called a liar. No protective measures were taken. No investigation. No rescue.

It was not until 2023, when the man was convicted on multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse involving the plaintiff and other young girls, that the full extent of the agency’s failures came into public view. The lawsuit describes not just a personal tragedy, but a systemic breakdown. If these allegations are true, this is a child welfare system that functioned more like an accomplice than a safeguard.

The claims span federal civil rights violations, state torts, civil conspiracy, and federal and Ohio RICO statutes.

January 13, 2025: New Lawsuit Filed in Los Angeles

In a new lawsuit filed on Friday, a Los Angeles County resident has brought claims against the county’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and other unnamed entities, alleging that he was sexually abused while placed in a foster care facility as a minor. The plaintiff, identified as John Doe K.W., asserts that the abuse occurred during his time under the care and custody of the defendants and was perpetrated by staff members, volunteers, and others connected to the facility.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants failed to properly screen, hire, train, and supervise individuals responsible for the care of children in the foster system, leading to unfit persons being placed in positions of trust. According to the complaint, the defendants also ignored or inadequately responded to reports of abuse within the facility, allowing the conduct to continue unchecked. The plaintiff claims that these systemic failures directly facilitated the abuse he endured and caused him severe emotional, psychological, and physical harm.

The plaintiff further accuses the defendants of breaching their mandatory duties to protect children in their custody and alleges negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees, under California law, including statutes specifically addressing childhood sexual abuse.

This case underscores allegations of systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children within the foster care system and raises questions about institutional accountability.

January 5, 2025: New Foster Care Lawsuit Filed in Maryland

Attorneys have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) and Carroll County Department of Social Services (DSS). The lawsuit alleges that these agencies failed to protect three foster children from years of sexual abuse under the care of a foster parent who is currently serving a 50-year sentence for sexual child abuse.

The suit claims that Maryland DHS and Carroll County DSS were negligent in their vetting and monitoring of the foster parent, despite multiple opportunities to discover the abusive behavior. “We are taking this legal action not only to seek justice for the survivors but also to shine a light on the failures within the Maryland Foster Care System,” said one of the attorneys. “The state has a fundamental duty to protect its most vulnerable citizens; in this case, it failed miserably. We are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable and fighting for the reforms necessary to prevent this from happening to other children.”

The complaint alleges that the children, who entered the foster home at various times between the ages of 7 and 13, were subjected to cruel military-style punishments if they did not comply with the abusive demands of the foster parent and their partner. Further, the lawsuit asserts that the department’s actions directly contributed to the children’s long-term physical, emotional, and psychological injuries.

The legal action also seeks to bring attention to systemic failures within the Maryland Foster Care System. Survivors of child sexual abuse while in the Maryland foster care system are encouraged to come forward to share their truth in a safe and protected environment.

The Child Victims Act (CVA) enables survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice for the unimaginable lifetime toll that such abuse has caused in their lives.

November 1, 2024 – Florida Foster Care Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Two Central Florida nonprofits, Embrace Families and the Children’s Home Society of Florida, have been sued for alleged negligence in managing the area’s foster care system, leading to the sexual abuse of two young girls in a Sanford foster home. The foster father, Justin Dwayne Johnson Sr., has been convicted of federal charges for producing and possessing child pornography after it was discovered that he had been secretly filming and molesting the girls, ages 6 and 9, as well as other children in his care, starting in early 2017.

The lawsuits argue that these organizations failed to adequately protect children from abuse in foster homes they supervised. This oversight failure is part of broader systemic issues highlighted by recent financial audits, which found that Embrace Families had improperly billed the state, which has since been rectified. The case reveals significant shortcomings in the safeguarding and monitoring protocols within the foster care system, emphasizing the devastating consequences of such failures for the victims.

Foster Care

In the U.S., states have the authority to remove children from their homes and place them in foster care, where they live in a foster home. The state can place children in foster care for a variety of reasons. If a child’s parents die, go to jail, become disabled, or are otherwise unable to care for their children, the state can step in and remove them to foster care.

The state can also place children in foster care if it is determined that they are not safe in their home because their parents (or guardians) are physically or sexually abusing the children. Foster care can also be an option if the state determines that the children are being severely neglected, such as not being properly fed.

Whatever the reason, when the state exercises its authority to remove children from the custody of their parents or guardians and put them in foster care, the state essentially assumes responsibility for ensuring that the children are safe and protected in their foster home.

Every state government has an agency that is responsible for child welfare and placing children in foster care. These agencies have a duty to ensure the safety of children in foster care. For starters, the agency is supposed to thoroughly vet or screen potential foster care parents (and anyone living in their household). The obvious reason for this is to make sure foster parents or families do not have anyone that is physically or sexually abusive.

The state’s duty to protect foster children does not end after foster families are screened. The state child welfare agency has an obligation to diligently monitor and supervise children in foster care and to look for potential signs of abuse. These are just some of the basic duties state child welfare agencies have.

Sexual Abuse of Children in Foster Care

The sad reality in the U.S. is that children who are placed in foster care are at a much higher risk of being victims of sexual abuse. Studies have found that placing children in foster homes makes them 4 times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse. When children are placed in “group home” foster care facilities (as opposed to traditional family setting foster care) the risk of sexual abuse is even higher.

There are several deeply, deeply rooted reasons why sexual abuse in foster homes occurs at such alarming rates. A significant contributor is that predators often find ways to access the foster care system by becoming foster parents or securing employment at group homes. These individuals exploit the structure of foster care, which frequently lacks adequate screening, training, or supervision. Children placed in these settings, particularly group homes, face an even higher risk of abuse due to understaffing, limited oversight, and a lack of consistent adult advocacy.

Foster care abuse victims are often already coping with trauma, instability, or the absence of a strong support network, making them particularly vulnerable to grooming and manipulation. Many children do not fully understand what is happening to them, and others fear they will not be believed if they report abuse. For those suffering from sexual abuse in foster care, the system that was supposed to protect them becomes another source of harm.

Compounding this crisis is the widespread and well-documented failure of state child welfare agencies. So many of these people were and are indifferent and incompetent in a way that make you wonder how they choose this profession. These agencies are often the first line of defense for children in foster homes. Yet many have shown a repeated pattern of negligence or outright inaction. Time after time, reports of foster care abuse are ignored or inadequately investigated.

In some tragic cases, agencies were aware of previous allegations against foster parents but continued placing children in their homes. Whether due to staffing shortages, poor training, or lack of accountability, the results are horrendous.

Survivors of foster parent abuse often find themselves navigating the legal system later in life, seeking justice and compensation for the trauma they endured. A foster care sexual abuse lawyer or a foster abuse lawyer can help victims explore their rights and pursue legal action. Suing a foster care agency may seem daunting, but with the right legal support, victims can hold these institutions accountable and secure the justice they deserve. Whether you are seeking a foster parent sexual abuse lawyer or a law firm experienced in handling foster care sex abuse cases, experienced legal counsel can make all the difference in helping survivors reclaim power and begin the path toward healing.

Victims of Foster Care Sex Abuse Can File Lawsuits and Get Compensation

If you experienced sexual abuse while in foster care, you may be entitled to compensation through a foster care lawsuit. These cases seek justice for children who were harmed because the system meant to protect them failed to do so. Survivors can file claims against state child welfare agencies or private foster care organizations that placed them in unsafe environments.

Under the law, both public and private foster care agencies have a duty to keep children safe from harm. If they knew or should have known about abuse and did nothing, that is negligence. A successful claim does not require proving intent, only that those responsible ignored clear risks. Many victims of abuse in foster care homes have come forward to hold these agencies accountable.

Foster care abuse compensation often centers around agencies that failed to act on warning signs. For example, if a foster parent had a troubling history and the agency continued to place children in the home without proper investigation, the agency can be liable for any abuse that occurred. This kind of oversight is at the heart of many foster home settlement cases.

Can you imagine how many children might have been spared suffering if someone had simply followed up on a report? That is what is so heartbreaking in so many of these cases. So little could have done so much.

If your story involves abuse by foster parents or neglect by the system, you are not alone. There are foster care class action lawsuits as well as individual cases currently moving through the courts. Compensation can include damages for pain and suffering, therapy costs, lost income, and other long-term impacts. If you’re wondering about a foster care settlement and how to apply, experienced attorneys can guide you through the process.

Every survivor deserves to be heard. Filing a foster care lawsuit can be one step toward healing and holding the system accountable.

Legal Rights and Options for Victims

Victims of sexual abuse in foster care have specific rights protected under both state and federal law. It is crucial for these individuals and their families to understand these rights to effectively seek justice and compensation. One primary legal right is the entitlement to a safe environment, which, when breached, can lead to claims against the responsible parties, such as foster care agencies, foster parents, and other caregivers.

If abuse occurs, victims have several legal options:

Filing a Civil Lawsuit: Victims can sue for damages caused by the abuse. This includes compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and sometimes punitive damages to punish egregious conduct and deter future abuses.
Negligence Claims: These claims can be made against foster care agencies or the state if they failed to properly vet, train, or supervise foster parents and staff effectively.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: If the conduct of the abuser was particularly outrageous, this legal claim could be applicable.
Reporting to Authorities: While not a legal remedy in itself, reporting abuse to child protection services or the police is a critical step in protecting the victim and other potential victims from further harm.

Victims should consult with a qualified attorney specializing in child welfare and personal injury to navigate the complexities of the legal system and advocate for their rights effectively.

Foster Care Abuse Settlements and Verdicts

Understanding the potential financial outcomes of foster care sexual abuse lawsuits can provide victims with realistic expectations about the compensation they might receive. Settlements and verdicts in these cases can vary widely based on the specifics of each case, including the severity of the abuse, the age of the victim, and the extent of negligence involved.

Here are some examples of recent settlements and verdicts:

$485,000,000 Verdict – New Mexico (2023)

An 8-year-old girl was placed in a foster care home with a foster parent who had previously been accused of sexual assault. The foster parent repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl while she was at the foster home, and she later sued the private contractor (Acadia Healthcare) that operated the foster system for the state. A jury found the foster care agency negligent and awarded a staggering $485 million.

$25,000,000 Verdict – New Jersey (2024)

The plaintiff was removed from her parents and placed into foster care at age 5. She was sexually abused countless times between the ages of 6 and 9 in three foster homes in and around Newark, New Jersey, while under the care, custody, and control of New Jersey’s Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). DYFS offered to settle for $1.9 million, but the plaintiff rejected it and went to trial. This verdict reflects the emotional weight juries can attach to institutional abuse.

$15,000,000 Settlement – Washington (2024)

The plaintiffs were three sisters who were placed in a foster home in Centralia, Washington, where they were sexually abused by the foster provider’s biological children. They contended the state of Washington was negligent in their placement and supervision. The state knew or had reason to know that the foster home posed a serious risk of sexual abuse.

$10,000,000 Settlement – Iowa (2023)

Following the tragic death of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray, who was starved to death in foster care, Iowa paid $10 million to her siblings. The lawsuit alleged that the Iowa child welfare agency ignored repeated warnings and failed to intervene despite obvious signs of abuse and neglect.

$7,800,000 Settlement – California (2022)

The lawsuit alleged that San Bernardino County placed a child in a foster home with his abusive older brother, despite knowing the brother’s prior behavior. Social workers also failed to supervise the case or monitor the child’s safety. The county agreed to pay $7.8 million to settle.

$7,000,000 Settlement – Massachusetts (2023)

Four former foster children alleged that they were sexually abused by foster parents in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their lawsuit claimed the Massachusetts child welfare agency ignored repeated warning signs. The state settled the case for $7 million.

$3,500,000 Settlement – Washington (2020)

A young woman claimed she was placed in a foster home despite clear signs of prior sexual abuse, and that her foster father trafficked her in Washington apple orchards over 13 years. The lawsuit alleged the state failed to investigate multiple reports. The case settled for $3.5 million.

$3,250,000 Settlement – Washington (2024)

A child who suffered years of physical and sexual abuse in foster care reached a $3.25 million settlement with the state. The lawsuit revealed serious flaws in how the state monitored and protected children in foster placements.

$2,900,000 Settlement – Florida (2019)

The Florida Department of Children and Families was sued by 3 former foster care children who claimed that they were sexually abused at a foster home in Nassau County. The abuse was perpetrated by the 2 older children of the foster parents. The older children were apparently known to be sexually aggressive, but the agency continued placing foster kids in the home anyway.

Contact Us About Foster Care Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Our national sexual abuse attorneys represent victims across the country. If you have a foster care sex abuse case, contact us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.