School, Teacher and Daycare Center Abuse

Representation by a Former Sex Crimes Unit Prosecutor

As a former sex crimes unit prosecutor, Brian Kent is passionate about justice for all victims of abuse.  Prior to entering the civil arena, he worked as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting sex offenders. This gives him a unique perspective on civil liability in abuse cases. He knows how to conduct the civil case while the criminal case may be pending, to maximize a victim’s chance of financial recovery.

Major Victories by Our Crime Victims Rights Lawyers

  • Six Figure Recovery – Molestation case against sitting state court judge who admitted to the abuse, resigned from the bench and was then disbarred
  • Six Figure Recovery – Student sexually harassed and assaulted by high school teacher
  • Six Figure Recovery – Student sued former all girls religious school after high school teacher sexually molested her and school administrators failed to act

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Rights of Victims of School/Teacher Abuse and Bullying in PA and NJ

Physical, mental and sexual abuse as well as bullying in schools or daycare centers is a recurring problem in this country and it is an unfortunate reality that many victims never step forward.  Reporting abuse or bullying is an incredibly difficult thing to do.   Shame, guilt, fear of retribution, anxiety, depression – all these emotions and issue make it difficult for such victims to report the crimes that have been perpetrated on them. With the recent media attention surrounding abuse and bullying in schools, more victims may find the courage to step forward and seek justice.

Daycare Abuse

Small children who are abused are often unable to even communicate the abuse.  Parents with children in daycare centers must entrust their children to others.  Unfortunately, the main way for parents to discover daycare abuse of young children is to look for signs of abuse, such as changes in personality, sudden onset of unusual behaviors, unusual marks, bruising, etc.

In theory, the criminal justice system is supposed to provide some restitution to crime victims.  However, too few victims of physical and sexual abuse are provided with monetary compensation for the deeply personal injuries they have sustained – mentally, emotionally and physically. The Philadelphia, PA and NJ school and teacher abuse victims lawyers at Laffey, Bucci & Kent want to change that.

Victims of abuse and bullying in school settings or daycare centers are entitled to make claims for compensation against not only the criminal defendant, but any entity, business, corporation, etc. which caused or contributed to the crime and injury, such as:

  • schools
  • school districts
  • daycare centers
  • counselors
  • coaches
  • camp programs

Pennsylvania and New Jersey Laws in School/Teacher Abuse, Bullying and Daycare Abuse Cases

The laws in Pennsylvania and New Jersey clearly provide for liability in child molestation, school abuse, teacher abuse, and bullying cases.  In many situations, parties other than the perpetrator are legally liable for the abuse.  Any person or business acting through its employees, who failed to report or prevent the abuse after suspecting the abuse or who actively concealed the abuse, is a potential defendant.  Liability is  based on case law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey which establish the standard of care and liability for any of the following actions or inactions:

  • failing to conduct reasonable background checks on employees
  • failing to conduct a reasonable investigation
  • hiding or concealing the abuse
  • failing to report the abuse
  • failing to prevent the abuse
  • failing to protect the victim/student
  • failing to intervene
  • failing to train employees on the policies regarding mandatory reporting of abuse
  • failing to have a policy in place regarding mandatory reporting of abuse
  • negligent supervision of children
  • negligent supervision of employees
  • negligent security resulting in access by criminals

Help for Abuse Victims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

At the Philadelphia crime victims rights law firm of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, our experienced attorneys are committed to providing quality representation and individual attention to their clients and their clients’ families.  The personal injury attorneys at Laffey, Bucci & Kent  have extensive experience handling crime victims’ civil matters.  Their knowledge and expertise in dealing with defense counsel as well as insurance company representatives and adjusters can be invaluable when seeking justice in a personal injury/crime victim’s justice matter.

Of particular note is the criminal expertise of named partner Brian Kent, who worked as an Assistant District Attorney for many years in Montgomery County, prosecuting sex crimes cases.  Mr. Kent brings with him not only his expertise in criminal law, but an awareness of the harms suffered by crime victims and their families, and a true passion for helping them find justice today, in the civil courtroom.

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt or killed as a result of sexual or physical abuse in school/daycare or bullying in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey or New York, contact our experienced, highly rated Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey crime victims rights lawyers for a free, confidential consultation.  215.399.9255/800.220.7600

Our personal injury attorneys serve accident victims in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; Kent County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE.