Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawsuits and Settlements

Victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault have the right to file civil lawsuits and get financial compensation. Recent changes in the law are now making it easier for abuse victims to seek justice in the civil courts.

This post will look at the process of filing sex abuse lawsuits in Pennsylvania and review the applicable laws related to sex abuse civil suits, including a clear explanation of the somewhat complex sex abuse statute of limitations in Pennsylvania.  Our lawyers will also discuss the average settlement compensation and jury payouts of Pennsylvania sex abuse cases and look at recent verdicts and settlements.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse and want to file a sex abuse lawsuit, we can help you. Contact us today at 800-553-8082 or reach out to us online.

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Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawsuit News and Updates

Before we get into the substance of these cases, let’s take a look at recent news and updates in sex abuse lawsuits and criminal cases in Pennsylvania:

Philadelphia Lawsuit Alleges Longstanding Abuse at Carson Valley Children’s Aid

April 17, 2025

In a new lawsuit filed last week, a Philadelphia woman has brought claims against Carson Valley Children’s Aid, alleging that the agency failed to prevent and respond to her sexual abuse while she was a resident at its Flourtown facility. The complaint, lodged in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, details repeated abuse by two staff members during the plaintiff’s time in the agency’s care from 2013 to 2015. She was a minor at the time.

The plaintiff claims she was groomed and assaulted by male employees, including incidents of coercive physical contact and inappropriate behavior, both at the facility and while she was temporarily at home. Despite reporting the abuse to a supervisor and writing to the facility about her experiences, no action was taken. The lawsuit argues that the abuse occurred within a longstanding pattern of staff misconduct, pointing to prior lawsuits and criminal convictions involving the facility.

Allegations include negligence, gross negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and failures in hiring and supervision. The plaintiff seeks damages for enduring psychological trauma, and the case adds to the growing scrutiny of institutions contracted to care for vulnerable children.

Carson Valley Children’s Aid is located in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, which is a community in Montgomery County, just outside Philadelphia. The agency also maintains service sites in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties, and it has historically operated residential, educational, and community-based programs for children and youth. For decades, it operated under contracts with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services, serving thousands of children annually through residential facilities, foster care, community-based interventions, and behavioral health programs.

King of Prussia Sex Trafficking Lawsuit

April 1, 2025

In a new lawsuit filed yesterday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a survivor of human trafficking from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, alleges that she was repeatedly trafficked and raped at a hotel operated by Choice Hotels International, Inc. The plaintiff claims that Choice’s Radisson Hotel in King of Prussia knowingly allowed her trafficker to use the property to facilitate commercial sex acts over an extended period.

The complaint asserts facts that are all too common in these lawsuits.  The plaintiff says her sex trafficker coerced her into engaging in sex with multiple men daily, under threat of violence and psychological abuse, while confined to hotel rooms rented specifically for trafficking purposes. The plaintiff alleges that the hotel and its corporate affiliates knew or should have known of the trafficking taking place, and either ignored clear warning signs or knowingly profited from the ongoing abuse.

The lawsuit further claims that Choice Hotels operated as part of a joint venture with affiliated entities, sharing management and policies that contributed to the facilitation of trafficking. After escaping, the plaintiff sought assistance from law enforcement and the FBI. She now seeks to hold the hotel corporation accountable under federal and state law for benefiting from and enabling her trafficking.

New UHS Sex Abuse Lawsuit

March 27, 2025

In a new lawsuit filed in Philadelphia County, a young woman has come forward with harrowing allegations against Universal Health Services (UHS), one of the largest behavioral health providers in the country. The lawsuit paints a damning picture of the culture at Fairmount Behavioral Health System, a UHS facility in Philadelphia, where she was placed as a minor in April 2024. Instead of receiving the help she desperately needed, she was allegedly raped by both a male staff member and another resident, all while the facility failed to intervene or protect her.

A Culture of Abuse and Neglect at UHS Facilities

UHS operates hundreds of behavioral health facilities across the U.S., and this case is just one in a long history of reported abuse within its walls. The lawsuit details how Universal Health Services has been aware for decades that its facilities are riddled with reports of sexual and physical abuse by staff members, guards, and other residents. Investigations, lawsuits, and even criminal convictions have exposed systemic failures at UHS institutions, yet the company has done little to implement real change.

The lawsuit accuses UHS of fostering an environment where children—many of whom are already deeply vulnerable—are placed at further risk due to chronic understaffing, inadequate supervision, and a failure to properly screen or train employees. Worse still, when abuse is reported, UHS facilities allegedly fail to take action, allowing predators to continue operating unchecked.

The Plaintiff’s Story: Betrayed by Those Who Were Supposed to Protect Her

According to the complaint, the plaintiff was only 17 years old when she was admitted to Fairmount Behavioral Health System. At a time when she needed care and support, she instead found herself trapped in a nightmare. One evening, after getting up to get water, she was led into a storage closet by a male staff member—identified in the lawsuit as “UHS Abuser”—who allegedly raped her both vaginally and anally. She reported the attack to three different staff members, none of whom believed her or took any action.

The lawsuit also describes how another young resident—identified as “Resident Abuser”—entered her room and forcibly raped her, choking her as she struggled. A staff member reportedly witnessed him sneaking out of her room, yet still, no action was taken. The plaintiff later learned that another resident, just 12 years old, had also been raped by the same staff member. When she begged for help and asked to report the assaults to the police, she was ignored.

Widespread Failures at Fairmount and Beyond

This case is part of a larger pattern of abuse at Fairmount and other UHS facilities. The lawsuit notes that from 2015 to 2019, Philadelphia police were called to Fairmount nearly 100 times for assaults and sexual offenses. One former staff member was convicted of sexually assaulting a patient in 2019, yet UHS still publicly dismissed the allegations at the time as “unsubstantiated.”  What hill must be climbed to get UHS to substantiated?  My goodness.

Inadequate supervision and gross negligence have allowed violence to flourish at UHS facilities nationwide. From inappropriate strip searches to forced sexual encounters, children placed in UHS institutions have suffered unthinkable harm while the corporation continues to rake in billions of dollars in revenue. The lawsuit argues that UHS’s policies—or lack thereof—have directly enabled this culture of sexual abuse.

This lawsuit is yet another indictment of the for-profit behavioral health giant, whose facilities have been under scrutiny for years. While UHS continues to operate with minimal oversight, this case serves as a chilling reminder of what happens when corporations prioritize profit over human lives.

$25 Million Sex Abuse Verdict Against Le’Veon Bell

March 20, 2025: A Franklin County jury has ordered former NFL player Le’Veon Bell Sr. to pay $25 million in damages after being found liable for repeatedly sexually abusing a female relative beginning when she was just 6 or 7 years old. His brother, La’Vonte Bell, was also found liable, bringing the total damages awarded to over $36 million. The lawsuit claims the abuse continued for years, even after Bell was drafted into the NFL.

Neither brother responded to the lawsuit, leading to a default judgment. While this verdict acknowledges the survivor’s suffering, it also underscores a common challenge in child sex abuse cases. Individual perpetrators rarely have the financial resources to fully compensate their victims.

This is why attorneys often look beyond individual abusers and seek to hold institutions accountable. Whether it’s a church, school, sports organization, or employer, institutions have the resources to compensate victims and, more importantly, the ability to implement policies that prevent abuse from happening in the first place. In this case, Bell’s financial situation is uncertain despite his past multi-million-dollar NFL contracts, raising serious doubts about whether the survivor will ever receive the damages awarded.

Without a larger entity to hold accountable, survivors are often left with little more than a symbolic victory, even after winning in court.

Empower Life Coaching and Counseling

March 13, 2025: Jonathan Elliot Moyer, a former program director at Empower Life Coaching & Counseling, has been arrested for allegedly installing hidden cameras disguised as charging blocks in the women’s bathroom at the Quakertown office, secretly recording patients and staff. According to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Moyer, 54, was taken into custody on March 6, 2025, and faces multiple charges, including six counts of invasion of privacy, interception of oral communications, possession of illegal surveillance devices, and possession of an instrument of crime.

The investigation began on March 3, 2025, when authorities received a tip that an electronic storage device contained footage of a man setting up a hidden camera inside the Quakertown office bathroom. Acting swiftly, detectives executed search warrants on March 5 at both the Quakertown and Berks County locations of Empower Life Coaching & Counseling, as well as at Moyer’s residence in Alburtis. During the searches, investigators seized multiple covert recording devices, including hidden cameras concealed within charging blocks, key fob cameras, and covert pen cameras.

Authorities have already identified at least four victims but believe the number could rise as they continue reviewing the seized footage and other evidence. The case underscores growing concerns about privacy violations in professional and therapeutic settings, where individuals expect confidentiality and trust.

Victims who visited the Quakertown office may have viable lawsuits. If you think you have a claim, reach out to us.

Bryn Mawr Hospital Sexual Assault Lawsuit

February 15, 2025: A woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital and its parent organization, Main Line Health, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by a hospital employee while recovering from multiple lower extremity surgeries. The lawsuit claims that the hospital and Main Line Health failed to protect her from the assault and were negligent in their hiring, supervision, and retention of the employee.

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the physical, mental, and emotional harm she suffered. The lawsuit includes claims of negligence, recklessness, willful and wanton conduct, corporate liability, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

This case is in pretrial discovery. Her sex abuse lawyers are complaining to the judge that they have repeatedly attempted to schedule depositions and obtain necessary documents but claim that the defendants have been uncooperative, causing delays in the discovery process.

Massage Therapist Sexual Assault Lawsuit in Philadelphia

February 13, 2025: A massage therapist sexual assault lawsuit was filed today in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. A woman says she was sexually assaulted by a massage therapist hired through Soothe, Inc., a mobile wellness platform operating under the name Soothe.com.

The plaintiff is suing Soothe, its affiliated companies (including Evident ID, Inc. and Mosaic Massage R3, LLC), the massage therapist, and several unidentified individuals and entities for negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, and vicarious liability. The plaintiff claims that Soothe failed to properly vet and monitor the therapist, despite advertising that all providers undergo rigorous background checks and identity verification.

Worse still, the plaintiff had specifically requested a female therapist through the Soothe app. But was assigned a male therapist. The man allegedly sexually assaulted her during a massage session at her home. The plaintiff argues that Soothe and its partners breached their duty of care by failing to ensure her safety and by ignoring her explicit request for a female provider.

The complaint details the plaintiff’s experience, including her attempts to address the assignment of a male therapist through Soothe’s customer service, which were ignored. The plaintiff alleges that the therapist engaged in non-consensual sexual acts during the massage, causing her severe physical, emotional, and psychological harm. She further claims that Soothe and its partners were negligent in their hiring, training, and supervision of the therapist and failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent such incidents. The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages for the trauma she endured, including emotional distress, mental anguish, and other losses.

The lawsuit also asserts that Soothe and its partners are vicariously liable for the therapist’s actions, as he was acting within the scope of his employment when the assault occurred. This claim will be a little more difficult to bring. But it is not necessary to win the lawsuit.

Healthcare Provider Sexual Assault Charges

February 12, 2025: A Glenolden optician for Philly Vision Care has been charged with multiple offenses, including sexual assault, indecent assault, false imprisonment, and harassment, after allegedly soliciting sex from customers in exchange for free glasses and waived fees. Authorities say the individual admitted to soliciting at least seven customers, estimating that sexual acts occurred inside the business at least 30 times.

According to the complaint, the accused locked the store doors and led victims to an exam room with no surveillance, where unwanted sexual acts occurred. Some victims described feeling coerced or pressured, while others reported being offered high-end designer glasses in exchange for sex.

As the investigation unfolded, the store owner conducted an audit and found between $2,500 and $3,500 in missing inventory, further supporting the claims. After the accused moved to a new optical store, another incident allegedly occurred in November 2024, where a customer was offered gold-framed glasses in exchange for oral sex. Police later recovered the glasses as evidence.

A lawsuit against Philly Vision Care could be viable if plaintiffs can establish that the business failed to properly supervise its employee, creating an environment where sexual misconduct occurred on the premises. Claims could include negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and premises liability, particularly if there is evidence that the store’s management knew or should have known about the misconduct and failed to take action.

New Lawsuit

January 24, 2025: A new lawsuit filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, involves ten plaintiffs who allege they were sexually abused as minors while confined in Pennsylvania’s state-run juvenile detention facilities. The plaintiffs are suing the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) for negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, and breach of fiduciary duty.

The plaintiffs claim that DHS failed to protect them from systemic sexual abuse by staff members at facilities such as Loysville Youth Development Center, North Central Secure Treatment Unit, and South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit. The abuse, which included sexual assault, coercion, and rape, occurred over more than a decade, and the plaintiffs allege that DHS was aware of the abuse but failed to take adequate action to prevent it.

The complaint details specific instances of abuse suffered by each plaintiff, including allegations of staff members using physical force, threats, and bribes to coerce the minors into sexual acts. The plaintiffs argue that DHS was negligent in its duty to protect them, failing to properly train, supervise, and monitor staff, and ignoring reports of abuse. They also claim that DHS breached its fiduciary duty by allowing a culture of abuse to persist in its facilities.

The lawsuit highlights what we all know. There is a history of documented abuse in Pennsylvania’s juvenile detention system. The evidence of this includes a 2010 federal report that found high rates of sexual abuse in these facilities. How did DHS respond? They downplayed the allegations.

The plaintiffs are filing under pseudonyms to protect their identities, as permitted by Pennsylvania law for sexual assault victims. They argue that their claims are timely under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, which we talk about more fully below, that allows survivors to file lawsuits up to 37 years after turning 18.

New School Abuse Lawsuit

January 6, 2025: In a new Devereux sex abuse lawsuit filed yesterday, a Pennsylvania man alleges that Devereux Foundation and its related entities failed to protect him from repeated sexual, physical, and emotional abuse while he was a minor and a resident at Devereux facilities in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The complaint, filed in the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County, claims that staff members at Devereux, specifically named in the filing, sexually assaulted the plaintiff on multiple occasions between 2000 and 2002, while the plaintiff was between nine and ten years old.

The lawsuit asserts that Devereux and its subsidiaries were negligent in hiring, supervising, and retaining staff who posed a danger to children, fostering a culture of abuse and inaction. The plaintiff alleges violations of Pennsylvania state law, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent supervision, and infliction of emotional distress. According to the complaint, Devereux failed to investigate or address allegations of misconduct, thereby enabling the abusive conduct to persist. The plaintiff claims significant and ongoing harm, including severe emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and difficulties with relationships and employment.

This case follows public scrutiny of Devereux’s operations, including previous allegations of systemic abuse at its residential facilities that we talk about in the December 18, 2024 update below.

New Appellate Opinion

January 4, 2025: A federal court in Harrisburg has issued a ruling this week in a child sex abuse case against the Red Lion Area School District in York County, where the district is accused of deliberate indifference to severe harassment that resulted in the sexual assault of a five-year-old student on a school bus.

According to the complaint, the district failed to take action after a male student assaulted the victim in October 2023, despite the mother reporting the incident to the school principal. The principal allegedly neglected to implement preventive measures, such as separating the students or providing bus monitors, and did not fulfill his mandatory reporting obligations under Pennsylvania law. A second assault occurred in January 2024, leaving visible injuries and prompting the parents to withdraw their child from the district.

The court allowed the plaintiffs’ Title IX claims to move forward, citing sufficient allegations of deliberate indifference and the district’s failure to address known risks. It also upheld claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, agreeing that the district’s actions reflected gender-based discrimination and exposed the victim to further danger. However, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ negligence claim under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (PSTCA) without prejudice, finding that the allegations did not meet the required statutory exceptions to governmental immunity. Emotional distress damages under Title IX were dismissed with prejudice, though the plaintiffs were granted leave to amend their negligence claim if additional evidence becomes available.

Residential Treatment Facility Sex Abuse Lawsuits

January 1, 2025: Victims’ lawyers are focusing our attention on abuse and neglect occurring in several residential treatment facilities across Pennsylvania. These lawsuits are grounded in the findings of federal investigations, including those spearheaded by Congress.

These investigations revealed a consistent pattern of misconduct and mistreatment – including physical and sexual abuse – within facilities funded by taxpayer dollars, including Medicaid and child welfare programs.

In Pennsylvania, the following facilities operated by Universal Health Services (UHS), Acadia Healthcare, and Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, are under scrutiny for allegations of abuse and neglect based on their history and this Congressional report:

1. Fairmount Behavioral Health System (UHS) – Philadelphia: A prominent psychiatric facility, this UHS-operated institution has faced numerous allegations of mistreatment, including the use of excessive restraints and insufficient oversight, particularly in treating adolescents. [We talk about a UHS lawsuit in the March 27 update above against this facility.]
2. The Horsham Clinic (UHS) – Ambler: This facility has been at the center of investigations into its practices surrounding the care of children and adolescents, with claims of inadequate treatment and an environment of neglect being common. In October 2024, over 60 survivors filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at various juvenile detention and residential treatment facilities in Pennsylvania, including The Horsham Clinic. These Horsham Clinic lawsuits claim the institution failed to protect children in their care from sexual abuse by staff members.
3. White Deer Run (Acadia Healthcare) – Allenwood: Known for its substance abuse treatment programs, White Deer Run has been criticized for failing to provide adequate care and supervision, particularly for young and vulnerable populations. There are reports of undertrained staff and unsafe conditions, issues emblematic of the broader problems within Acadia Healthcare’s network. Acadia has put a target on its back while caring for these children. Other facilities you will likely see sued in the months to come include Belmont Behavioral Health (Philadelphia), Tower Behavioral Health (Reading), Geisinger Behavioral Health (Danville), Cove Forge Behavioral Health (Williamsburg), and Southwood Children’s Behavioral Healthcare (Canonsburg).
4. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health – Pennsylvania: Devereux’s presence in Pennsylvania is significant, with several facilities across the state. The network, including Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Behavioral Health Center in Malvern, has been the subject of extensive litigation for failures to protect children from abuse and for creating unsafe environments. These allegations are part of a broader, troubling pattern across Devereux’s national network. Other facilities include the Brandywine School in Glenmoore, the Mapleton School in Malvern, and the Devereux School for Integrated Learning (DSIL) in West Chester. Devereux has worked hard to attach itself to the big players, including the Philadelphia School District and healthcare institutions like St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

These lawsuits hold these institutions accountable for their past wrongs and, of course, get settlement compensation for victims. That is priority one. But these claims are also about advocating for systemic reforms. The overarching goal is to ensure that children and adolescents receive the care, safety, and dignity they deserve while under the supervision of these taxpayer-funded facilities.

Get More Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawsuit News and Case Law

New Appellate Opinion

January 4, 2025: A federal court in Harrisburg has issued a ruling this week in a child sex abuse case against the Red Lion Area School District in York County, where the district is accused of deliberate indifference to severe harassment that resulted in the sexual assault of a five-year-old student on a school bus.

According to the complaint, the district failed to take action after a male student assaulted the victim in October 2023, despite the mother reporting the incident to the school principal. The principal allegedly neglected to implement preventive measures, such as separating the students or providing bus monitors, and did not fulfill his mandatory reporting obligations under Pennsylvania law. A second assault occurred in January 2024, leaving visible injuries and prompting the parents to withdraw their child from the district.

The court allowed the plaintiffs’ Title IX claims to move forward, citing sufficient allegations of deliberate indifference and the district’s failure to address known risks. It also upheld claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, agreeing that the district’s actions reflected gender-based discrimination and exposed the victim to further danger. However, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ negligence claim under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (PSTCA) without prejudice, finding that the allegations did not meet the required statutory exceptions to governmental immunity. Emotional distress damages under Title IX were dismissed with prejudice, though the plaintiffs were granted leave to amend their negligence claim if additional evidence becomes available.

New Philadelphia Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit

November 8, 2024: In a new lawsuit filed today in the Uber sexual assault MDL, a Philadelphia resident alleges that Uber failed to protect her from an assault. The plaintiff says she was sexually assaulted, harassed, and battered by an Uber driver in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, during a ride on August 23, 2024.

New Opinion on Adult Sex Abuse Lawsuits

November 7, 2024: In a new opinion yesterday from the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, the court examined allegations of sexual assault involving a 19-year-old student with intellectual disabilities against the Pittsburgh School District.

The incident occurred while the student was transported on a school bus operated by A.J. Myers and Sons, Inc. The facts are just awful. The child is an intellectually disabled student with Down Syndrome. She arrived home from school noticeably late, with her clothing in disarray and partially removed. A forensic interview conducted by the Children’s Advocacy Center of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital found that she was sexually abused by a substitute bus driver.

The complaint included multiple counts against the District, such as negligence and assault, with the District asserting immunity under the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act. The court reviewed the School District’s immunity claim, mainly focusing on the applicability of the sexual abuse exception in the Tort Claims Act.

The ruling concluded that the District is protected from liability for intentional torts committed by its employees and that the sexual abuse exception does not apply to victims over the age of 18. This interpretation aligns with prior rulings, notably in the City of Philadelphia v. J.S., which reinforced the notion that the sexual abuse exception is limited to individuals under 18.

This might be the right ruling. But the law is terrible. This victim is as vulnerable as any child, and the law should protect her.

New Devereux Sex Abuse Lawsuit

October 18, 2024: In a new sex abuse lawsuit, a 32-year-old woman from Philadelphia is suing the Devereux Foundation and several related entities for negligence and other claims related to sexual abuse she allegedly endured as a minor while residing at a Devereux facility. The complaint asserts that the plaintiff was sexually abused on multiple occasions by a staff member during the overnight shifts in her unit.

The plaintiff contends that Devereux, a national behavioral health provider, failed to properly screen, supervise, and remove abusive staff, allowing a dangerous environment where children were at risk of harm. The lawsuit claims the organization knew or should have known about the history of abuse within its facilities and that its failure to act directly contributed to the plaintiff’s trauma.

This case adds to ongoing legal actions against Devereux following a 2020 report exposing systemic abuse in its care centers. The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm suffered.

The complaint references several Devereux facilities in Pennsylvania, including the Brandywine School, Mapleton School, and the Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Behavioral Health Center (DCBHC).

Sex Trafficking/Foster Care Settlement Totals Over $33 Million

October 10, 2024: A Philadelphia foster agency, First Home Care, agreed to pay $9.38 million to settle a lawsuit involving a woman who was sexually abused and trafficked as a child while under their care. The case stemmed from allegations that the agency failed to adequately monitor the safety of the girl who was placed in the home of a woman whose son was later convicted of sex trafficking minors and received a 24-year prison sentence in 2013. The settlement was reached just before the scheduled trial date.

The total sex abuse settlement is funded by a separate $24 million settlement from a Philadelphia Days Inn, where the trafficking allegedly took place. The lawsuit against the hotel accused it of negligence in allowing such activities to occur on its premises. The Days Inn settlement resolved claims from eight plaintiffs.

New Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Federal Court Opinion

October 9, 2024: Nine minors brought separate civil suits against a vocational-technical school and various school districts, alleging their automotive technology instructor sexually abused them. The allegations are strong. The teacher was criminally convicted.

The lawsuits center on whether the vocational school, known as the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTC), and the school districts knew or should have known about the teacher’s conduct and failed to take appropriate action to protect students.

Both defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The court denied CTC’s motions for summary judgment. It found that a reasonable jury could find CTC administrators were aware of and deliberately indifferent to the abuse. The court highlighted the evidence suggesting that multiple administrators, who had the authority to act, were informed of the instructor’s misconduct but did not intervene. The court did let the school district out of the case, holding that there was insufficient evidence to establish the district had actual knowledge or authority over the teacher’s conduct, given that he was employed exclusively by CTC.

Importantly, the court also addressed the application of a recent amendment to Pennsylvania’s Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, which waives sovereign immunity for negligence claims related to sexual abuse. CTC’s argument that this statute precludes vicarious liability was rejected, as the court predicted that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court would interpret the amendment to allow for such claims in the context of sexual abuse cover-ups by public institutions.

Pa. Moves to Strengthen Sex Offender Registry Laws

October 3, 2024: This week, the Pennsylvania State Senate approved a new bill that will strengthen the state’s existing sex offender registry laws. Senate Bill 1317 seeks to close a loophole by adding sexual assault crimes by sports officials, coaches, and volunteers to the Tier II sexual offense category, which requires registration under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Inexplicably, individuals convicted of this offense are not required to register as sex offenders under the current law.

Reported Rape By Uber Driver

September 26, 2024: Villanova University is investigating a reported rape by an Uber driver inside a campus dorm. A student reported being attacked during the night of September 13-14, after taking an Uber back to her dorm, The Commons. She claims the driver followed her inside and raped her.

Uber is cooperating with the investigation and has banned the driver, stating it is appalled by the incident and will assist law enforcement. But Uber is the subject of a federal class action sexual assault lawsuit by women who claim that Uber did not take steps to weed out sexual predators from its pool of drivers.

Nude Photo Settlement

September 12, 2024: Lehigh Valley Health Network will pay $65 million to individuals affected by a data breach that exposed personal information, including nude images of cancer patients. The breach impacted around 135,000 patients and employees, with over 600 having their medical images posted online.

Payouts for victims will range from $50 to $70,000, with higher amounts for those whose nude photos were published.

Monroe County Looks for a Way Out

September 7, 2024: Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania is seeking to be dismissed from a lawsuit accusing local schools and child welfare agencies of failing to prevent the tragic abuse and death of a 12-year-old girl by her father and stepmother.

The county argues that a jury should never have the opportunity to determine if its negligence contributed to this child’s death because its actions do not fall under any of the nine exceptions that would waive the state agencies’ sovereign immunity from tort claims. This immunity often shields counties from lawsuits, a provision that unfairly allows government entities to evade accountability.

The law does have a sex abuse as an exception, but Monroe County claims it is not applicable here, even though the wrongful death lawsuit does reference sexual abuse.

The PSTCA generally protects local government entities and their employees from lawsuits for damages, with specific exceptions where this immunity does not apply. One of these exceptions is for cases involving “sexual abuse.”

Glen Mills Back on Track

August 28, 2024: In our June 24th update, we told you about postponing the bellwether trials in the Philadelphia mass tort case against the now-closed Glen Mills Schools. The delay was due to court-ordered mediation efforts initially set to address the claims earlier in the summer. The first of these trials will commence on February 24, followed by trials in March, May, and June.

This scheduling update pushes the initial trial date back by about eight months, a significant delay from the original timeline planned for trials from July to December 2024.

Such postponements are common in complex litigation, especially where mediation is involved. But our lawyers were skeptical from the beginning. Delays serve the defendants. So defendants sometimes exhibit a pretense of interest in settlement discussions more than actual commitment. This tactic can be strategic, aiming to push back trial dates and possibly wear down the plaintiff’s resolve or resources.

New Lawsuit Against Four Seasons

August 24, 2024: A Pittsburgh college student has filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania state court against Four Seasons Hotels, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by a massage therapist at the Four Seasons Casablanca in Morocco. The lawsuit, filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, claims that Four Seasons was negligent in ensuring her safety and security during her stay.

The plaintiff, identified as “Jane Doe,” was participating in a study-abroad program when she visited the Four Seasons Casablanca in April 2023 to alleviate stress and manage symptoms of Behçet’s disease, an autoimmune condition. Her mother selected the hotel due to the family’s familiarity with the Four Seasons brand and its advertised commitment to guest safety.

During a massage at the hotel’s spa, Doe alleges a male therapist sexually assaulted her. The lawsuit accuses the hotel of failing in its duty to properly screen, train, and supervise its employees, leading to the assault. It also highlights the lack of adequate security measures, such as surveillance in the spa, which could have prevented the incident.

Why is the case being filed in Pennsylvania? The court filing asserts that Pennsylvania has jurisdiction over the case because Four Seasons regularly conducts business in Allegheny County and is registered in Pennsylvania, with the venue being proper under Pennsylvania law. Seeing this case moved to federal court would not be a surprise.

Changing Sex Abuse Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

August 2, 2024: A proposed constitutional amendment in Pennsylvania that would allow survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abusers is at risk of missing the November ballot unless lawmakers take action soon.

Although there is broad agreement that voters should consider the amendment, the state legislature is depressingly deadlocked over how to proceed. Democrats in the state House favor advancing the amendment as a single issue, while Republican leaders want to tie it to other priorities, such as expanding voter ID requirements.

The proposal has faced delays, including a previous setback due to an administrative error, and the legislature has until the end of the current session to pass the amendment. If they fail to act, the earliest the amendment could appear on a ballot would be 2027.

The debate has been influenced by political disagreements, unrelated issues, and some legislators intentionally dragging their feet.

New York Attorney Alleges Sexual Assault Aboard American Airlines Flight

June 27, 2024: A new lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, involves allegations of negligence and sexual assault aboard an American Airlines flight.

The plaintiff, a New York attorney, alleges that while in a Benadryl-induced sleep on a flight, she was sexually assaulted by another passenger, who was reportedly intoxicated and overserved by the flight crew. The crew, despite observing the assault, failed to intervene effectively.

If these allegations are correct, this is pretty awful. The alleged perpetrator’s conduct included being seated next to the plaintiff by the airline crew, engaging in conversation, and offering to hold her drink. After the plaintiff fell asleep, it is alleged that the man, who is apparently a doctor, took advantage of her incapacitated state to grope her chest aggressively. (There also seems to be a suggestion that he may have put something in her drink.)

How did the plaintiff know? The complaint says off-duty crew members saw the whole thing and told the plaintiff. Despite this, and the visible intoxication of the man, characterized by his difficulty in moving and the presence of multiple empty vodka bottles, the flight attendants initially did not report the incident but only acted after the plaintiff was awake and the assault was confirmed by other crew members.

Mass Tort Trials Postponed For Glen Mills Schools

June 24, 2024: The first trials in Philadelphia’s mass tort case concerning alleged abuse at the now-closed Glen Mills Schools have been postponed.

Judge Joshua Roberts issued an order on June 14, canceling the proceedings and directing the parties to mediation. This order came about a month before the first trial was scheduled to begin on July 15. The first three bellwether trials, initially set for this summer and early fall, have been canceled. The fourth trial in December remains on the schedule for now.

In these sex abuse lawsuits, former students of Glen Mills allege they suffered physical and sexual abuse and endured an environment of fear and violence.

A related class action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania resulted in a $3 million settlement with an educational services agency that provided services to the school.

Woodward Sex Abuse Settlement

June 10, 2024: A Pennsylvania gymnastics camp, Woodward Camp in State College, has agreed to pay $8 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a teenage gymnast, S.C., who alleged she was sexually assaulted by coach Nathanial Singer. The lawsuit claimed that the camp knowingly rehired Singer despite his history of inappropriate behavior toward minors, including a 2016 incident where he allegedly abused another camper. The settlement represents the full value of the camp’s insurance coverage.

Singer, who was suspended by USA Gymnastics in 2020, was convicted in 2023 on four counts of indecent assault related to S.C.’s abuse. Another camper who was allegedly assaulted by Singer in 2016 is pursuing a separate lawsuit. Woodward, which has since discontinued its gymnastics camps, maintained in court filings that it had no reason to know of Singer’s misconduct but faced scrutiny for failing to prevent his rehiring.

New Lawsuit Alleges Abuse From George Washington High School Employee

June 3, 2024: In a new child sex abuse lawsuit, a plaintiff has sued the School District of Philadelphia, alleging sexual abuse by an employee at George Washington High School. The plaintiff claims she was sexually abused when she was 15. She says that despite being aware of the employee’s inappropriate behavior toward minor female students, the School District of Philadelphia allegedly failed to take any meaningful action to protect her, allowing sexual abuse to occur both on and off school grounds.

The complaint details the School District’s shortcomings in screening, supervising, and retaining employees, including this particular employee, despite known risks and red flags.

New Detention Center Lawsuit Filed Against Merakey USA

May 28, 2024: A new detention center abuse lawsuit has been filed against Merakey USA, the operator of Northwestern Academy, a juvenile detention center in Coal Township, Pennsylvania, on behalf of twelve survivors of abuse. The plaintiffs allege that Merakey failed to protect children from widespread sexual abuse by adult employees at Northwestern Academy. The facility closed in 2016.

Over 60 Lawsuits Filled Against PA Department of Human Services

May 23, 2024: Over 60 people have filed lawsuits against the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the owners of several juvenile detention facilities, alleging widespread sexual abuse by staff. The suits were filed in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Dauphin counties, as well as in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The defendants include the state-run facilities operated by the DHS and privately owned facilities operated by the Devereux Foundation, Visionquest National Ltd., and Merakey USA.

The lawsuits claim that for decades, children in Pennsylvania’s state-run juvenile detention facilities have been subjected to severe sexual abuse, including groping and rape. Despite a 2010 federal investigation highlighting high rates of abuse, state officials allegedly ignored the findings, with the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services dismissing the data. The privately owned facilities face similar allegations, with one suit against Devereux describing a resident being drugged, restrained, and abused.

Of course, until Pennsylvania changes its statute of limitations in sex abuse lawsuits like many other states have, many more victims will be denied justice.

We have a page dedicated to Visionquest sex abuse lawsuits. The allegations against that company seem to be growing exponentially.

Devastating Reviews For Dr. Mark A. Landsberg

May 26, 2024: We would like to draw your attention to these reviews for Dr. Mark A. Landsberg.

Surgeon Sues Thomas Jefferson University Hospital For Gender Discrimination

May 22, 2024: An orthopedic surgeon, John A. Abraham, sued Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for gender discrimination, claiming the hospital’s handling of sexual assault allegations against him was biased. The lawsuit stemmed from an incident at a pool party at Abraham’s home, where a female resident accused him of sexual assault.

Abraham countered that he was the one taken advantage of and treated unfairly. A jury awarded Abraham $15 million, finding that the hospital’s investigation exhibited anti-male bias. However, U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson vacated the verdict, citing key text messages from Abraham that were not considered by the jury. These messages included Abraham expressing a desire to have sex with a “young hot single female” before the party and implying during the party that someone stopped him from having sex with the resident. With good reason, Judge Baylson ruled that these texts were relevant and unfavorable to Abraham’s claims.

The case took a turn when Judge Baylson recused himself because his son-in-law worked for the law firm representing Jefferson in the new trial. U.S. District Judge Chad F. Kenney took over and upheld the decision to vacate the $15 million award. Ultimately, the parties reached a settlement, which remains undisclosed.

PA Supreme Court To Address Sexual Abuse Exceptions

May 20, 2024: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to address whether the sexual abuse exception to the Local Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act applies only to plaintiffs who were minors when victimized.

This decision comes after the Commonwealth Court reversed a lower court’s ruling that allowed a case to proceed despite the plaintiff, referred to as J.S., being an adult at the time of the alleged assault by Philadelphia Department of Prisons employees. The lower court initially overruled preliminary objections but later requested the appellate court to reverse its decision, aligning with the city’s argument that the sexual abuse exception is limited to victims under 18 years old, as indicated by legislative history and previous state Supreme Court interpretations.

Center City Philadelphia Landlord Agrees To $6 Million Settlement

May 16, 2024: The landlord of a Center City Philadelphia office building agreed to pay $6 million to settle claims that inadequate security led to an assault on a paralegal working in the building. The plaintiff, referred to as R.F., alleged that defendants Belmont Funding, 211 N. 13th Street Associates, and North 13 LLC allowed an unauthorized man to enter the building, who then assaulted and raped her. The plaintiff argued that the attack could have been prevented with proper security measures in place, which the defendants failed to provide.

The defendant argued that the attacker was solely responsible for the harm caused. But, wisely, they agreed to a settlement for the full amount of the defendants’ insurance limit.

Three Sex Abuse Plaintiffs Decide To Withdraw Federal Lawsuit

May 14, 2024: Three sex abuse plaintiffs who were previously denied class certification for their civil rights claims against Abraxas Youth and Family Services have decided to withdraw their federal lawsuit against the juvenile facility operator. They are planning to refile their remaining claims in state court.

The decision to withdraw follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand approximately ten weeks prior, which determined that class certification for their claims—encompassing allegations of mental, physical, and sexual abuse by staff at Abraxas facilities dating back to 2000—was too complex to be granted.

69-Year-Old Jehovah’s Witness Charged With Sexually Assaulting Minor

April 18, 2024: A 69-year-old man from Westmoreland County and a member of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation in New Kensington has been charged with sexually assaulting a young girl between the ages of 6 and 9 between 1991 and 1994. He is also alleged to have abused another girl in the late 1980s, though charges were not filed due to the statute of limitations expiring.

These charges are part of a more extensive investigation by a statewide grand jury into sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witness congregations in Pennsylvania, which has been ongoing since 2019. This investigation has led to the arrest of at least 14 people in the last few years.

These victims will all have viable claims if the state legislature steps up and changes the sex abuse statute of limitations.

Licensed Practical Nurse Files Lawsuit

April 11, 2024: In a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a plaintiff alleges experiencing a series of severe and pervasive incidents of sexual harassment while employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at a nursing and rehabilitation center and its affiliated entities. The complaint outlines multiple instances where the plaintiff was subjected to unwanted physical contact, including groping of her breasts and buttocks, by a coworker. Despite the plaintiff’s clear objections and distress, her complaints to human resources and supervisory staff were reportedly dismissed or ignored, with no substantial investigation or corrective action taken.

The plaintiff also recounts a disturbing incident where a resident’s spouse inappropriately touched her, further contributing to her feeling of an unsafe work environment. Even after reporting this incident, she faced ridicule rather than support from her supervisors. The alleged conduct created a hostile work environment that significantly impacted the plaintiff’s mental health and job performance, ultimately leading her to resign.

The lawsuit claims violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, citing discrimination based on sex, a failure to provide a safe working environment, and retaliation against the plaintiff for her complaints. The plaintiff seeks damages for emotional distress, loss of income, and other harms, arguing that the defendants’ actions or inactions directly violated her rights and well-being. The case underscores the importance of employers taking prompt and effective action to address sexual harassment allegations to protect their employees’ rights and safety.

PA House Approves Law Enabling Filing Lawsuits For Previously Time-Barred Claims Of Child Sexual Abuse

February 28, 2024: Legislation enabling individuals to file lawsuits for previously time-barred claims of child sexual abuse was approved by the Pennsylvania House on Friday.  The proposed two-year litigation window would extend to all victims previously constrained by the state’s restrictive timelines.

The proposal to lift the statute of limitations for sex abuse crimes temporarily was close to being presented to voters for a final decision two years ago but was delayed due to procedural errors by state officials.

On Friday, the House passed, by a vote of 161-40, a constitutional amendment to the Senate that, if agreed upon, could be up for voter approval by November. Additionally, with a vote of 134-67, they passed regular legislation that would become effective immediately upon Senate approval and gubernatorial signature.

The fate of these bills in the state Senate remains uncertain. But we are hopeful.

McDonald’s Franchisee Agrees To $4.35 Million Settlement For Rape Of 14 Year Old Girl

February 7, 2024: A McDonald’s franchisee, declared bankrupt, agreed to a $4.35 million settlement with the family of a 14-year-old employee who was raped by a manager, a convicted child sex offender. This settlement, pending approval in Pennsylvania state court, aims to close the lawsuit against Rice Enterprises LLC, the operator of eight McDonald’s locations in Allegheny County.

The manager involved received a sentence in 2021 ranging from four to 10 years for multiple offenses, including assault and endangering the welfare of children. Garner’s employment history with McDonald’s came under scrutiny due to his past conviction in 2003 for aggravated indecent assault and a guilty plea for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.

A second teenage girl has a lawsuit that is still pending.

Hope For PA To Finally Allow Civil Lawsuits Over Childhood Sexual Abuse Outside Current Statute Of Limitations

February 2, 2024: In 2020, following a significant grand jury report on sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, Pennsylvania sought to amend its constitution to allow for civil lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse outside the current statute of limitations. But in a complete mess, this bipartisan effort failed due to a procedural error by the then Secretary of the Commonwealth, leading to her resignation in 2021.

In 2024, Senate Bill 1, House Bill 1, and Senate Bill 23 all aim to secure a second passage for the amendment but have encountered obstacles, mainly due to disagreements over bundling unrelated amendments. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1 as a package, which included the lawsuit window, voter ID, and amendments to regulatory disapproval. Still, the House, holding a slight Democratic majority, removed the latter two, citing constitutional concerns about combining different issues.

Is this the year this finally gets passed?

New Jersey Appellate Panel Upholds Dismissal Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Archdiocese of Philadelphia

January 28, 2024: A New Jersey appellate panel upheld the decision to dismiss three lawsuits alleging priest sexual abuse against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, stating that New Jersey lacks jurisdiction over the archdiocese in these cases.

Former Criminal Defense Attorney Sentenced To 4-23 Months In Prison

January 15, 2024: Corey Kolcharno, a former criminal defense attorney from Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to four to 23 months in prison after admitting to trading legal services for sexual favors, as reported by the state Attorney General’s Office.

It sounds like a bad made-for-TV movie.  Kolcharno pleaded guilty to four felony charges of promoting prostitution in October. The charges detailed that he solicited nude photos and worn underwear from four women, either clients or their relatives, offering to waive their legal fees in return.

Depressingly, the 49-year-old Kolcharno was a former District Attorney.

Former Southern York County Teacher Charged With Plethora Of Crimes

September 26, 2023: Emily Lehneis, a former Southern York County teacher, has been charged with sexual abuse of children, obscenity, institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, and corruption of minors.

The charges stem from allegations that she kissed a high school student and exchanged sexually explicit photos with them. Lehneis, who had worked as a special education teacher at Susquehannock High School, resigned from her position in January.

The case is pending in the York County Court of Common Pleas.

PA General Assembly Misses Deadline

September 24, 2023: The Pennsylvania General Assembly has missed the deadline to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot, which would have provided survivors of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to seek compensation against their abusers and institutions that protected them.

What killed this effort to bring justice for victims in Pennsylvania clergy abuse and other sexual assault cases?  The same partisan nonsense that is hurting the whole country.  Partisan bickering even destroys progress where the parties agree.

But the general bipartisan support for the measure among current state lawmakers was overshadowed by disputes between Democratic and Republican caucuses arguing about unrelated amendments to the bill.  It is depressing how the sausage gets made, and the victims here are people who deserve justice.

A new sex abuse statute of limitations will be passed in Pennsylvania.  Eventually. But justice delayed is justice denied.

Greene County Man Ordered To Stand Trial For Over 2,000 Child Sex Abuse Charges

September 23, 2023: A Greene County man has been ordered to stand trial after his preliminary hearing on over 2,000 child sex abuse charges dating back to 2018 when the victim was aged between 8 and 11. Dustin Lane is accused of inappropriate touching, sexual abuse, and showing explicit material to the child.

The investigation began in May following reports, and the victim’s sibling corroborated many details of the abuse. Lane allegedly gave the child money and gifts to keep the abuse concealed. While Lane denied the allegations, investigators found inconsistencies in his statements. He faces numerous felony charges, including child rape, indecent assault, and corruption of minors.

Philadelphia Archdiocese Settles For $3.5 Million

August 15, 2023: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has settled for $3.5 million over allegations that a former religious school student was sexually abused by a now-deceased priest. You do not get sex abuse settlements very often in individual cases.  So this gives victims a good look at sex abuse settlement amounts.

Previously, the archdiocese had offered the plaintiff $400,000 through this fund. However, the plaintiff opted for litigation, correctly believing they would get a higher settlement amount.  The plaintiff, currently 30 years old, accused the archdiocese of exposing him and other children to danger by ignoring prior allegations against the priest who allegedly abused him. The plaintiff asserted that this priest assaulted him in 2006 and intimidated him into silence. The plaintiff’s pretrial documentation highlighted multiple abuse allegations against the priest going back to the year he was ordained.

The archdiocese did not just roll over on this sex abuse lawsuit. It initially questioned the plaintiff’s credibility and denied negligence. They initially argued that only one abuse allegation against the priest was made before 2006.  But that was not true.

Lawsuit Against Philadelphia Archdiocese Settles For $3.5 Million

August 10, 2023: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement in a lawsuit involving allegations of sexual assault against a 14-year-old boy nearly two decades ago. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, claimed that Pastor John Close assaulted the boy at St. Katherine’s of Siena in Wayne in 2006. The victim, now 31, initially disclosed the abuse in 2018, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. The lawsuit argued that the archdiocese was aware of a pattern of abusive behavior by Close dating back to 1976, including prior allegations. Despite investigations, the accusations against Close were often dismissed. But at least this victim finally received at least some measure of justice.

PA General Assembly Misses Deadline For Constitutional Amendment

August 3, 2023: Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Pennsylvania will have to continue waiting for justice as the Pennsylvania General Assembly missed the deadline to get a proposed constitutional amendment, allowing a two-year window for survivors to seek monetary damages against their abusers and the institutions that protected them, onto the November ballot. This delay follows nearly two decades of inaction and disputes between the Democratic and Republican caucuses over bundling the proposal with other amendments, including voter ID requirements. The failure to pass this amendment means that survivors still face the statute of limitations that prevents them from filing suits for abuse that occurred many years ago. There are high hopes for 2024… but we said that this year.

Philadelphia Archdiocese Reports Paying $78.5 Million In Sex Abuse Reparations

August 2, 2023: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia reported that it paid $78.5 million in clergy sex abuse reparations through a reconciliation program that was launched in 2018 and concluded this year.

Former Jehovah’s Witness Files Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

July 11, 2023: A former Jehovah’s Witness has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was sexually abused by two fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses when she was a teenager. The abuse, which lasted for over a year, was initially reported to the elders within the organization. However, instead of supporting her, the elders warned her against involving the police, fearing it would bring “reproach” to Jehovah’s name. They also shunned her, causing her to spiral into depression. The lawsuit accuses Witness elders of destroying records of her case and ignoring Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law. The lawsuit comes amid a broader investigation into the organization’s handling of child sex abuse cases by Pennsylvania’s Attorney General’s Office, with several Witnesses already facing charges related to sexual assault of minors.

Priest Enters No-Contest Plea

July 10, 2023: A civil lawsuit with tenacles in New York and Philadelphia is pending after Rev. James Garisto, a Staten Island priest, entered a no-contest plea to corruption of a minor and indecent assault charges in Fishtown, admitting to sexually abusing an underage boy during the mid-2000s. Garisto, who had spent almost four decades as a priest, teacher, and school administrator in the Archdiocese of New York, had multiple priest abuse allegations against him, leading to his suspension in 2019. Last year, a man sued Garisto for the clergy abuse he suffered as a child, prompting another Philadelphia man to come forward, alleging abuse between 1995 and 2002. Criminal charges were initially filed but dropped due to the statute of limitations. Garisto’s no-contest plea will not be admissible in the pending civil lawsuit

against him and the Archdiocese of New York, which recently reached a settlement with the victim.

 Frequently Asked Questions About Bringing a Sex Abuse Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, navigating the legal landscape to seek justice can be daunting. The state’s laws have evolved, affecting how and when you can take action against perpetrators and the institutions that may have enabled them. Understanding your rights and the avenues available is crucial in this journey. Below, we’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions to help clarify your options and the current legal framework in Pennsylvania.​

Can I sue for sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, even if it happened years ago?

Yes, but the timeline depends on when the abuse occurred. Pennsylvania’s sex abuse statute of limitations has changed in recent years. If you were abused as a child after 2019, you have until your 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit. If you were between 18 and 24 when it happened, you have until age 30.

The problem? That law is not retroactive. If your abuse happened before 2019, the old, terrible statute applies. So the deadline may have already passed. Pennsylvania survivors have been fighting for a revival window (like other states have done). We anticipate a new statute may be introduced soon. But political nonsense keeps delaying it.

Who can I sue in a Pennsylvania sex abuse lawsuit?

You can sue the abuser and any institution that enabled them. This includes:

• Churches (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholic dioceses, etc.)
• Schools and universities
• Youth organizations (Boy Scouts, Glen Mills Schools)
• Juvenile detention centers (George Junior Republic, VisionQuest, Devereux)
• Residential treatment facilities (Horsham Clinic, Acadia Healthcare, UHS-run centers)
• Employers who failed to supervise predators (massage therapists, counselors, coaches, Uber/Lyft drivers)

These are just some examples, of course. The list goes on and on.

What kind of compensation can I get in a sex abuse lawsuit?

Sex abuse settlements and jury payouts vary a lot, but here’s what drives the numbers up:

• Clear evidence (documents, prior complaints, witnesses, etc.)
• Institutional negligence (if they ignored abuse or covered it up, that is bound to lead to a larger settlement or verdict)
• Severe and lasting trauma (physical, emotional, psychological harm)
• Jurisdiction (Philadelphia is the best, Pittsburgh is good)

Some real-world numbers in Pennsylvania:

• $33M for a foster child sex trafficking case in Philadelphia
• $8M for a gymnast abused at a PA training camp
• $4.4M for a 14-year-old McDonald’s worker raped by a convicted sex offender (who the franchise hired as a manager)

We provide further details, including additional example settlement amounts and the stories behind those claims, below. But remember that almost all settlements are confidential. So we do not always get the complete picture beyond what is reported, and our law firm’s cases. But if an institution is involved and their negligence was blatant, the payouts are often in the millions, as they should be.

Can I stay anonymous if I file a lawsuit?

Yes. Pennsylvania allows sex abuse victims to file lawsuits under Jane Doe or initials. Your real name does not have to be made public if the court approves.  There is no real law on this, but it is thankfully the way that it is done.

What about juvenile detention and residential treatment centers?

These places are some of the worst when it comes to institutional sexual assault and abuse. If you were abused at:

• George Junior Republic
• Glen Mills Schools (now shut down)
• Horsham Clinic
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
• VisionQuest
• Any PA juvenile detention center

…you may have a case. Many lawsuits are active right now, and survivors are seeking the settlement compensation they deserve.

What if I was trafficked or forced into sexual acts in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania human trafficking cases are on the rise, and new laws make it easier to sue hotels, businesses, and individuals who profited from trafficking. There have been multi-million-dollar settlements against hotels in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that turned a blind eye to trafficking.

What if the person who abused me is dead? Can I still sue?

Yes. Most real money in sex abuse lawsuits comes from third-party liability—not the abuser, but the institutions that protected them. If a church, school, treatment center, or employer failed to stop them, they are still on the hook.

What’s the latest on Pennsylvania sex abuse lawsuits?

New cases are filed constantly. Some recent ones:

• March 2025: Former counselor Jonathan Elliot Moyer arrested for hiding spy cameras in a Quakertown women’s bathroom
• February 2025: Lawsuit against Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital over a hospital worker assaulting a patient
• January 2025: New Devereux sex abuse lawsuit filed in Philadelphia County

Big institutions want these cases to disappear quietly, but survivors keep fighting back.

How do I know if I have a case?

If you were sexually abused in Pennsylvania at any point, it’s worth having a lawyer review your options. Even if you think the statute of limitations might be a problem, exceptions exist, and laws keep changing. You can call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

Bottom line: If you were abused, you deserve justice. No institution should be allowed to cover up sexual abuse and walk away without consequences.

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Filing a Civil Lawsuit for Sex Abuse in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law permits victims of sex abuse to bring civil lawsuits and seek monetary compensation. The right to bring a civil lawsuit is not contingent on whether the victim pressed criminal charges. Abuse victims can file a civil suit regardless of whether they reported the abuse to the police when it happened. It also doesn’t matter whether the abuser was convicted.

Victims can bring civil lawsuits for sexual abuse as long as they are presently willing to testify under oath about the facts of the alleged sexual abuse or assault. Other forms of evidence, such as medical records or fact testimony from other witnesses, can also support the victim’s testimony.

If you file a sexual abuse lawsuit in Pennsylvania, the case will be public record. However, you may be able to keep your name and identity

confidential. Pennsylvania’s court rules allow victims to keep their names confidential and use “Jane Doe” or initials in court filings.

Holding Third Parties Liable for Sex Abuse

The primary defendant in any sexual battery lawsuit would be the person who committed the sexual assault. The problem with suing the abuser is that they might already be dead or in jail, and even if they are still around, they may not have money or financial resources to pay for any compensation awarded in the case. Going after the abuser only makes sense in a civil case if they are wealthy.

To get actual compensation in a sex abuse lawsuit, the plaintiff needs to go after a third party with deep pockets, like a church, school, or corporation. These parties can be held liable in a civil case if the plaintiff can show that their negligence somehow enabled the abuse to occur or to continue. Third parties in sex abuse lawsuits can also be held liable if they attempt to cover up abuse incidents afterward.

Let’s consider a typical example of how third parties can be liable for sex abuse in Pennsylvania. Let’s say that a guard at a juvenile detention facility is sexually abusing boys who are inmates. Several victims file complaints, but the facility ignores them and allows the guard to continue his abuse. The victim can file a civil lawsuit against the detention facility (or the County that operates it) for negligently failing to investigate and protect them from abuse.

Similar theories of liability are frequently used to hold churches, schools, and organizations like the Boy Scouts liable in civil sexual assault cases.

The Definition of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

Under Pennsylvania law, sexual assault or battery is defined as any non-consensual touching of a person’s intimate parts intentionally done for sexual gratification or arousal. Under this broad definition, anything from groping breasts at an office happy hour to forcible rape falls under the definition of sexual assault or abuse.

Two critical elements must be present for an action to qualify as sexual battery in Pennsylvania: (1) sexual intent and (2) lack of consent. The first element is sexual intent. The plaintiff must show that the defendant engaged in unwanted touching for sexual gratification. Accidentally touching someone’s private parts does not count.

The second element is the lack of consent. For intentional touching to qualify as sexual battery, it must be done without consent. Legally, children under the age of 18 cannot give consent to sexual touching. This means that any intentional sexual contact with a minor by an adult lacks consent and qualifies as sexual battery.

Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Victims considering filing a sex abuse civil lawsuit in Pennsylvania must know the applicable statute of limitations. The statute of limitations imposes a legal deadline on how long a plaintiff can wait before filing a lawsuit. The plaintiff loses their right to sue if the case is not filed before the deadline expires.

In 2019, Pennsylvania extended the civil statute of limitations, allowing survivors to file lawsuits until they reach 55. For individuals abused between the ages of 18 and 24, they now have until age 30 to commence an action for damages.

But unfortunately, those changes are not retroactive. Cases of abuse that occurred before the 2019 amendment are subject to the previous statute of limitations, which required victims to file claims by age 30. So here’s how it works:

Statute of Limitations for Post-2019 Sex Abuse

In 2019,  an amendment to the Pennsylvania sex abuse statute of limitations was passed.   Under this new law, victims of childhood sexual abuse have until their 55^th birthday to file a civil lawsuit for sexual battery. For victims between 18 and 24 when the abuse occurred, the new law gives them until their 30^th birthday to file a civil lawsuit. These new laws only apply to cases where sexual abuse occurred AFTER January 1, 2019. Abuse occurring before 2019 is subject to the old statute of limitations.

Statute of Limitations  for Pre-2019 Sex Abuse

Cases involving sexual abuse or assault before January 1, 2019, are subject to Pennsylvania’s general 2-year statute of limitations. If the sexual assault occurred when the victim was an adult (over age 18), the victim has 2 years from the last assault to file a civil lawsuit.

For cases where the victim was a child when the abuse occurred, the 2-year statute of limitations gets tolled until the victim turns 18. So victims of child sex abuse occurring before 2019 would have until their 20^th birthday to file a civil lawsuit.

Few Statute of Limitations Exceptions

Pennsylvania is relatively intolerant to victims seeking exceptions to the deadline for filing a sex abuse lawsuit. Courts have consistently rejected attempts to extend the statute of limitations based on repressed memory or fraudulent concealment.

In a case involving repressed memory, Pennsylvania law is that the discovery rule does not apply to survivors who later recall their abuse. Even if a victim does not remember what happened for decades, the legal deadline to file a lawsuit remains unchanged.

Similarly, with respect to fraudulent concealment, the Pennsylvania courts have determined that even if a defendant actively covered up the abuse, it does not extend the statute of limitations. This ruling limits the ability of survivors to bring claims when institutions have hidden evidence of misconduct.

These laws are unfair and should be changed.

Efforts to Expand the Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Statute of Limitations

Pennsylvania was very close to passing a new law or amendment to the state constitution (House Bill 14) that would eliminate the statute of limitations for all civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse of a minor. The new law was passed by the lower branch of the Pennsylvania legislature and was under consideration by the State Senate.

But the legislature needs to meet the deadline to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot, which would have allowed survivors of childhood sexual abuse a two-year window to seek monetary damages from their abusers and the institutions that protected them.

This legislative failure follows nearly two decades of obstacles that have stopped many survivors, often clergy abuse survivors, which is where the lobbying against his bill came from, from achieving justice.

This is not some Trump-Biden split where everyone falls behind partisan positions.  There was bipartisan support for this new Pennsylvania sex abuse statute of limitations.  But, depressingly, there were partisan differences between the Democrats and Republicans over whether to bundle the proposal with

other amendments, including one related to voter ID requirements, which has nothing to do with protecting sexual abuse victims.

History of Sex Abuse in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a troubling past with clergy abuse and other sex abuse cases. In 2005, the Philadelphia DA initiated a groundbreaking investigation into clergy sexual abuse within the Philadelphia Archdiocese, leading to a comprehensive 400-plus-page report that unveiled shocking abuse inflicted by over 60 priests on hundreds of children.

In 2011, we saw the Penn State University tragedy unfold with the attorney general’s 339 pages report of damning evidence detailing Sandusky’s elaborate scheme, which included grooming and exploiting boys through his nonprofit, the university, and local schools, and the people who looked the other way.

In 2016, another grand jury revealed a 147-page exposé of at least “six decades of persistent and concealed sexual abuse of hundreds of children by at least 50 priests” within the Altoona-Johnstown diocese.

Then, in 2017, a grand jury report by the Bucks County district attorney laid bare decades of abuse at a private boarding school near New Hope, emphasizing the importance of exposing these crimes and the reasons they remained hidden for so long.

In 2018, the Pennsylvania Attorney General released a groundbreaking 1,356-page grand jury report, unrivaled anywhere in the country, exposing child sex crimes and cover-ups within Pennsylvania’s six remaining Catholic dioceses.

Today, the

Pennsylvania Attorney General is investigating the abuse of Jehovah’s Witness children, already resulting in criminal charges against five individuals.

Pennsylvania Detention Center Lawsuits

Settlement Value of Sex Abuse Lawsuits in Pennsylvania

The settlement value of Pennsylvania sex abuse lawsuits against third parties, such as schools, churches, or corporations, is based on several factors. Below is a list of the primary factors that tend to drive the value of these sex abuse cases up or down.

• Evidentiary Strength: The strength and quality of the evidence showing that the sexual abuse happened is one of the most critical factors impacting the value of abuse cases. When there is solid, reliable evidence to substantiate the abuse allegations made by the plaintiff, the case has a much higher value.
• Abuse Severity: The severity and nature of the sexual abuse can also drive the case’s value upward. The frequency and duration of the abuse also come into play here. A case involving a single incident of abuse will be worth less than one involving regular abuse lasting years.
• Strength of 3^rd Party Liability Theory: The level of responsibility or negligence by the church or the extent to which they failed the victim will affect the settlement amount of a Pennsylvania sex abuse lawsuit. If the church or corporation was either aware of the abuse or clearly turned a blind eye to all of the clues, this impacts settlement amounts because it strengthens the case and the adverse publicity from a jury verdict with those facts. So if they tried to cover up the abuse, a jury would destroy them, impacting settlement payouts.
• Reputation and Resources of 3^rd Party: The church’s financial position and public image can influence the settlement amount. Big corporations or organizations may be willing to pay more money to settle cases and protect their public image.
• Your Lawyer: The experience and skill of the attorneys representing both the victim and the church or company can influence the settlement process and the final settlement amount. The best Pennsylvania sex abuse lawyers fetch the higher settlement amounts for their clients.
• Jurisdiction: The venue of a sexual abuse lawsuit in Pennsylvania can significantly impact settlement value. Philadelphia County is the most plaintiff-friendly, with juries that give five victims a fair shake and award higher payouts, especially in institutional negligence by churches, schools, or corporations. Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) is also a strong venue, though verdicts tend to be lower than in Philadelphia. In contrast, rural counties in central and northern Pennsylvania are generally less favorable, with juries that may be more skeptical of large settlements. When possible, plaintiffs often aim to file a sexual abuse lawsuit in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh to maximize potential compensation.

Certainly, the ability of a third party to pay is often critical to getting fair settlement compensation.  This is not always easy in Pennsylvania in clergy abuse lawsuits, where you would think the ability to pay would not be an issue.

For example, the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg created a compensation fund.  On February 15, 2023, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania granted final approval to the Plan of Reorganization for the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.

This Plan elucidates the procedures by which the Diocese and its related entities will establish a Survivor Compensation Trust, contribute $7.5 million for financial restitution to survivors of clergy sexual abuse, and implement enhanced child safety measures.

In addition, the Diocese’s current and previous insurance providers will inject a further $10.75 million into the Trust. Before initiating the reorganization, the Diocese authorized an independent Survivor Compensation Program, distributing $12,784,450 to aid 111 survivors. So that is a per-person average sex

abuse settlement of $115,000.  That is not a lot of compensation for a clergy abuse lawsuit.

Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Settlements and Verdicts

One tool to help you understand how much your Pennsylvania sex abuse lawsuit might be worth is comparing your case to previous settlements and verdicts in similar cases involving sexual abuse. While the settlements and verdicts summarized below can provide valuable insights into potential compensation, you must understand that every case is unique and complex, and it’s impossible to accurately summarize a case in a single paragraph. You cannot assume that a similar case will have the same outcome.

Prior settlements and verdicts cannot offer an accurate prediction of what your case will be worth. They can help provide a general understanding of the range of potential compensation. Still, they should be considered in conjunction with other case evaluation tools to accurately determine your claim’s value.

• $33,380,000 Settlement (Philadelphia 2024): A woman who was sexually abused and trafficked as a minor by her foster mother’s son has reached a $9.38 million settlement with a child welfare agency accused of failing to protect her. This follows a previous $24 million settlement with a Days Inn in Philadelphia, where much of the trafficking occurred. The total $33.38 million settlement resolves claims that both the agency and the motel were negligent— the agency for not ensuring her safety in the foster home, and the motel for allowing sex trafficking to occur on its premises unchecked.
• $4,400,000 Settlement (Allegheny County 2024): A former McDonald’s employee was sexually assaulted at age 14 in a Bethel Park McDonald’s restroom.  Of course, this is a simple case.  How is it possible for a convicted, registered sex offender to be employed as a manager overseeing 14- to 17-year-old girls at a McDonald’s?
• $8,000,000 Settlement (Central Pennsylvania 2024): A gymnastics camp in State College agreed to pay $8 million to a teenage gymnast who alleged sexual abuse by a coach during the 2018 and 2019 summers. The plaintiff claimed the camp knowingly rehired the coach despite prior misconduct allegations, including a 2016 incident involving another minor. The settlement represents the full insurance coverage of the defendant and resolves the matter without an admission of liability. The plaintiff alleged that camp administrators ignored her 2019 complaint and allowed the coach’s continued employment, despite evidence of prior misconduct. The coach was later convicted in 2023 of indecent assault related to the abuse of the plaintiff.  Discovery revealed conflicting accounts from camp staff regarding decisions to rehire the coach. The camp, which no longer hosts gymnastics programs, stated it lacked knowledge of any risk posed by the coach, a claim contested by the plaintiff’s legal team.
• $3,500,000 Settlement (Delaware County 2023):  A man sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy in Delaware County. The victim, who had attended a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program at St. Katherine’s of Siena in Wayne, claimed that the man raped him after a confession in the priest’s office, with threats of eternal damnation if he disclosed the assault. This awful human, who is now deceased, worked at various parishes and schools in the region over his 42 years in the ministry.  His Philadelphia sex abuse lawyer filed a lawsuit contending the archdiocese was aware of prior sexual abuse accusations against the priest but failed to take appropriate action. In 2004, another individual serving a prison sentence for murder accused the same priest of sexually abusing him from 1967 to 1969. The archdiocese investigated but dismissed the allegations as “unsubstantiated.” The priest was eventually removed from ministry in 2011 after additional allegations surfaced.
• $18,250,000 Settlement (Dauphin County 2023): The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg and a committee representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse agreed on an $18.25 million settlement fund to resolve remaining abuse claims. This settlement is part of a reorganization plan for the diocese’s bankruptcy case, which requires approval from creditors and the overseeing judge. The average clergy abuse settlement was approximately $309,000.
• $3,700,000 Settlement (Bucks County 2022): This case involved 21 minor plaintiffs who suffered multiple injuries, including sexual abuse inflicted by priests and a teacher at the defendant diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The plaintiffs’ clergy abuse lawsuit contended that the diocese had prior knowledge regarding the sexual abuse of the plaintiffs but failed to take action to prevent further abuse and breached their duty to ensure the safety of minors entrusted to their care.
• $70,000 Settlement (York County 2021): A 75-year-old female resident with Alzheimer’s disease was allegedly sexually assaulted by a laundry worker at the nursing home where she was a resident. That lawsuit alleged that the nursing failed to monitor and investigate reports of similar conduct. Across nursing homes, behavioral health facilities, and juvenile treatment centers, the pattern is the same: vulnerable victims—children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities—are left unprotected due to systemic failures. These institutions are entrusted to care for those who cannot protect themselves, yet they routinely ignore red flags, fail to supervise staff, and allow abusers to operate unchecked. When safeguards fail, these residents become easy targets, and, pathetically, the only justice that comes is when sexual abuse lawsuits force accountability.
• $2,000,000 Settlement (Erie County 2019): The Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie has agreed to a $2 million settlement with a man who was allegedly sexually abused by former priest David Poulson from 2002 to 2010. The abuse occurred while Poulson was assigned to St. Michael’s Church in Fryburg and St. Anthony of Padua Church in Cambridge Springs. Poulson, who horrifically made Doe say confession after the assaults, was charged with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors. Defrocked in January and sentenced to two and a half to 14 years in prison, Poulson’s crimes had been reported to the Erie Diocese as early as 2010, but law enforcement was only notified following a grand jury subpoena in 2016.
• $150,000 Settlement  (Bucks County 2018): A 7-year-old boy was placed in temporary custody at Christ’s Home for Children, where he allegedly suffered repeated sexual assaults and abuse by other older residents. The lawsuit alleged that the facility failed to supervise the residents and prevent the abuse.
• $1,530,000 Verdict (E.D. Pa. 2018): A 13-year-old boy was a resident in a treatment facility operated by the defendant. During his residency, the boy was allegedly the victim of a single incident of sexual abuse by an older boy at the facility. The lawsuit alleged the defendant was negligent for failing to utilize safeguards, policies, and procedures.
• $200,000 Settlement (E.D. Pa. 2017): A female high-school student in the Pennridge School District reportedly suffered severe and ongoing psychological damage from abuse by the district’s basketball team coach. The abuse included 15 sexual encounters that lacked consent because the girl was under 18.

Contact Us About Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawsuits

If you are a victim of sexual abuse and want to file a sex abuse lawsuit in Pennsylvania, contact us today at 800-553-8082 or reach out to us online.

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