Foster Care Abuse Survivor Receives $6.75M Settlement from New Jersey

New Jersey has agreed to pay $6.75 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman who suffered sexual abuse while in the state's foster care system nearly 40 years ago. This settlement, announced on May 6, 2024, allows the Murphy administration to avoid a trial that was scheduled for the following month in Middlesex County.

The Survivor's Story

The plaintiff, identified as J.T., entered the foster care system at birth in 1963. Her lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged that she endured a "horrific childhood" while shuttling between various foster homes in Atlantic and Cape May counties. The sexual abuse began when J.T. was around 8 years old and continued in multiple placements.

Details of the Abuse

One of J.T.'s abusers, foster father Joseph Salmon, was arrested and pleaded guilty in 1972. Shockingly, Salmon later pleaded guilty to raping his grandson in 1987 and died in jail. The lawsuit claimed that the state not only allowed J.T. to be sexually abused but also placed her in homes where she witnessed the abuse of her biological and foster siblings.

State's Negligence

The NJ sexual abuse lawsuit accused the state of "negligent, reckless, and outrageous conduct" in its handling of J.T.'s case. Notably, prior to J.T.'s placement, two other children had complained about inappropriate behavior by their foster father, which should have raised red flags.

Legal Implications

This settlement follows a recent $25 million verdict against the state in a similar case involving a woman abused in foster care during the 1990s. Both cases were made possible by a 2019 law that expanded the statute of limitations for sexual assault victims to sue their abusers and responsible entities.

Impact on the Survivor

J.T., now living in Ohio, continues to suffer from physical and psychological injuries resulting from the abuse. These include severe emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and physical pain. While the settlement cannot erase the trauma, it provides some measure of justice and closure for the survivor.

Systemic Changes

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in New Jersey's child welfare system. Despite a multi-billion-dollar overhaul initiated in 2003 following another tragic case, the state continues to face lawsuits related to historical abuse cases.

Attorney Insights From Our Legal Team

Laura McLaughlin, Esq., a prominent attorney specializing in child abuse cases, comments: "This settlement represents a significant acknowledgment of the state's failure to protect vulnerable children in its care. While no amount of money can undo the trauma suffered by J.T., it does hold the system accountable and may contribute to further improvements in child protection policies. It's crucial that we continue to support survivors and work towards preventing such horrific abuses in the future."

Source:

https://www.nj.com/news/2024/05/nj-to-pay-675m-to-woman-raped-as-a-child-in-foster-homes-decades-ago.html