Foster Care Abuse Lawyer

Foster care abuse is any physical, sexual, or emotional harm — or serious neglect — of a child in a foster home, group home, or residential facility. Neglect is the most common form, accounting for roughly three out of four reported cases. It includes failing to meet a child's medical, physical, educational, or emotional needs while in state or agency custody.

More than just the abuser. You may have claims against foster parents, group home or facility operators, private placement agencies, and the state child-welfare agencies responsible for screening, licensing, and supervision. Most cases focus on the organizations whose oversight failures allowed the abuse to happen, not only the individual who caused direct harm.

Deadlines to file vary by state, and many states have extended or paused them for childhood abuse survivors. Some offer revival or "lookback" windows that let older cases proceed even after the usual deadline. Because the rules differ and change, the only reliable way to know your deadline is a free, no-pressure case review — there is no cost to ask.

Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no hourly bills and no out-of-pocket costs. We are only paid a percentage if we recover compensation for you. If there is no recovery, you owe us no attorney fee. The first consultation is always free and confidential.

Compensation can cover therapy and counseling, past and future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain, suffering, and trauma. In cases of especially reckless conduct, additional damages may apply. Every case is different, so we give you an honest, realistic picture of what your specific situation may be worth — never an inflated promise.

Often, no. Many foster care abuse cases resolve through settlement without a trial, meaning you may never have to take the stand. If your case does require testimony, we prepare and support you fully, and we work to use trauma-informed methods that protect your dignity. You are never pushed into anything you are not ready for.

Yes. Your first conversation is private and protected, whether or not you decide to move forward. We will not share your story without your permission. You control what you tell us, how much detail you share, and the pace of every step. Reaching out costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

Many survivors come forward as adults, sometimes decades later, and that is completely understandable. Trauma can take years to name. A delay does not mean your case is over — many states allow childhood abuse claims to be filed well into adulthood, and some have reopened older cases entirely. A free review will tell you where you stand.

No. You do not need documents, dates, or names of staff to begin. Survivors rarely have a tidy file, and that is normal. We know how to obtain placement records, agency files, and prior complaints. Start with your account of what happened — building the evidence is our responsibility, not a barrier to reaching out.

Yes, and the two are separate. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. You can report suspected abuse to your state's child-protection hotline regardless of any legal claim. A civil case seeks accountability and compensation for you; it does not replace reporting, and we can help you understand how the two fit together.