Maryland Sex Abuse Lawsuits

New laws in Maryland have enabled victims of child sexual abuse to bring civil lawsuits against churches, schools, and other negligent third parties even decades after the sexual abuse occurred. This has prompted a wave of sex abuse lawsuits in Maryland and victims are expected to receive billions in settlement compensation over the coming years.

On this page, our Maryland sex abuse lawyers will look at the legal basis for civil sex abuse lawsuits. We will also discuss some of the various types of categories of sex abuse lawsuits currently being filed. Finally, we will examine the potential settlement value of sex abuse cases in Maryland.

Our Maryland sex abuse lawyers are taking abuse cases. Contact us at 888-322-3010 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Defining Sexual Abuse and Assault

Sexual abuse or assault generally refers to any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact or touching. This includes any interaction involving a person’s private or intimate body parts. Sexual abuse can range from inappropriate touching (groping) to forced sexual acts, including rape.

The key factor that defines sexual abuse or assault is the lack of consent. If the contact is not consensual, it is considered assault. In the case of minors—anyone under 18 years old—they are legally unable to give consent. Therefore, any sexual contact between an adult and a minor is considered abuse, regardless of the circumstances.

Each state, including Maryland, has specific laws outlining what qualifies as sexual abuse or assault. For civil lawsuits, the definition may be broader than in criminal cases.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse or Assault in Maryland

Sexual abuse or assault is a serious crime and can be prosecuted in criminal court. However, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, survivors always have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit to seek financial compensation.

You can file a civil case even if the person responsible was never arrested or convicted. That’s because the standard of proof in civil court is lower than in criminal cases—making it easier to hold the abuser legally accountable.

Another important aspect of civil lawsuits is that survivors can also seek compensation from third parties who may have played a role, such as organizations or institutions that failed to

protect them.

In civil court, the survivor is not just a witness—they are an active party in the case. This gives them greater control over how the process unfolds, including the decision to continue or stop the case.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Maryland Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

In most sexual abuse lawsuits, the most obvious person to sue is the individual who committed the abuse. However, in many cases, suing the abuser alone may not lead to any meaningful financial compensation. The abuser may be in prison, deceased, or simply without the resources to pay a judgment—even if you win in court.

That’s why a successful sexual abuse lawsuit often involves holding third parties accountable. These can include organizations or institutions such as schools, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, companies, or other entities that had a responsibility to protect the victim or could have prevented the abuse.

If it can be shown that a third party had a duty of care and either ignored warning signs, failed to take action, or created an environment where abuse was possible, they can be held legally responsible for damages.

Example 1:

Jane was sexually abused by her school guidance counselor, John, while she was a student at Acme Private School. Jane can file a civil lawsuit against both John and Acme Private School, if the school failed to properly supervise John or ignored previous complaints.

Example 2:

Teacher Jon taught math at Acme High School and he also coached the girls soccer team. Jon had a sexual relationship with Sally, a 15-year student who was in his class and on the soccer team. Prior to this, school administration had received 3 other complaints about Jon having inappropriate contact with female students, but no investigation was ever done. Sally and her parents could sue the school for negligence.  

Any third party that contributed to the abuse through negligence—such as failing to run background checks, ignoring red flags, or not having proper safety measures in place—can be named in a lawsuit. A common example is a negligent security claim, where a property owner may be sued for not having adequate safety features like lighting, cameras, or security staff, especially in places where abuse could have been prevented.

Damages Available In Sex Abuse Lawsuits

In a lawsuit, damages are awarded to a plaintiff to compensate for losses and pain caused by another. There are different types of categories of damages that plaintiffs are entitled to get in a successful civil case, including:

• Pain and suffering, both mental and physical
• Lost wages
• Medical Expenses (past and future)
• Loss of consortium (loss of relationship with spouse, companion, or family)
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In a sexual abuse lawsuit, most of the damages a plaintiff will get will be for pain and suffering. Although sexual abuse or assault can cause physical injuries, the damages from this are primarily mental pain and anguish. In most sexual abuse lawsuits, pain & suffering accounts for more than 80% of the damages awarded.

New Law Eliminates All Deadlines For Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits In Maryland

In October 2023, a new law called the Maryland Child Victims Act (“CVA”) took effect. The CVA completely eliminating any and all statute of limitations and other legal deadlines on how long a victim could wait before filing a lawsuit based on child sexual abuse. Under the new CVA, victims of child sex abuse can file civil lawsuits regardless of how many years have passed since the abuse occurred.

The CVA also applied retroactively to revive all sex abuse claims that had previously expired under the prior statute of limitations laws. This meant that is someone was sexually abused by a priest back in the 1960s and their civil claim expired years ago under the prior SOL law, that claim is now revived and the victim

is once again legally eligible to bring a lawsuit.

The CVA was challenged as invalid under the Maryland state constitution, but the Maryland Supreme Court recently upheld the validity of the CVA.

Residential Treatment Facility Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Over the past 20 years, residential treatment facilities have become increasingly common, offering in-patient mental health care for issues like depression, addiction, anxiety, and eating disorders. These centers often provide 24/7 care in a controlled, structured environment. Many are specifically designed for adolescents—often vulnerable teens referred by their parents or state agencies like the Department of Juvenile Services.

But despite their intended purpose, numerous investigations across the U.S. have uncovered a disturbing pattern: widespread sexual abuse within these facilities, particularly those housing minors. These reports point to serious problems, including poor oversight, understaffing, and institutional neglect, all of which create an environment where abuse can occur unchecked.

As a result, a growing number of civil lawsuits have been filed against both the facilities themselves and the large healthcare corporations that operate them. Among the most frequently named are:

• Acadia Healthcare
• Universal Health Services (UHS)
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

These are some of the largest companies in the residential treatment industry—and several of their Maryland

facilities are currently facing increased scrutiny due to histories of abuse, neglect, and regulatory violations, as detailed in recent congressional findings.

Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuits in Maryland

Since the CVA took effect, Maryland has been a hotbed for sex abuse lawsuits involving juvenile detention centers. Sadly, countless juveniles who were inmates at detention facilities in Maryland became victims of sexual abuse and assault.

The juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits allege that staff members at these facilities abused their positions of authority to sexually exploit or harm juvenile detainees. These legal actions contend that the sexual abuse of children stemmed from negligence in hiring and supervising staff, as well as failures to maintain a safe environment for the detainees. The allegations often involve direct abuse by staff members or failure to prevent abuse between residents, which the administration

could have mitigated or avoided. Some of the juvenile detention centers at the heart of these lawsuits in Maryland are:

• Charles H. Hickey Jr. School
• Cheltenham Youth Detention Center
• Thomas Waxter Children’s Center

Settlement Value of Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Maryland

The potential settlement value of a sexual abuse civil lawsuit in Maryland depends on a range of factors. Each case is unique, but several key elements consistently influence how much a case may settle for:

1. Nature and Severity of the Abuse

The more serious and prolonged the abuse, the higher the potential settlement value. Cases involving physical violence, repeated abuse over time, or abuse that results in lasting emotional or psychological trauma typically result in higher compensation than those involving a single or less severe incident.

2. Strength of the Evidence

The ability to clearly prove that the abuse occurred is crucial. Cases backed by physical evidence, medical records, witness testimony, or documentation are typically stronger—and more valuable—than cases that rely solely on the victim’s word against the defendant’s.

3. Third-Party Liability

When a third party, such as a school, church, treatment center, or other institution, can be shown to have failed in their duty to prevent the abuse, the settlement value often increases. Strong evidence of negligence or cover-up by a third party significantly enhances the case’s value.

4. Size and Reputation of the Third-Party Defendant

The financial resources and public image of the organization involved can also affect the outcome. Larger institutions with reputational concerns—such as major religious groups, private schools, or healthcare providers—may be more inclined to offer higher settlements to avoid public trials or damaging publicity.

5. Your Lawyer

The skill and experience of the attorneys involved matter. An experienced Maryland sexual abuse attorney with a strong track record can significantly impact the outcome, often securing higher settlements through aggressive negotiation, strategic litigation, and deep knowledge of the law.

Contact Our Sex Abuse Lawyers

If you are considering filing a civil lawsuit for sex abuse in Maryland, contact us at 888-322-3010 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.