Herman Law is proud to have represented Charles “Chuck” Carroll in his lawsuit against the State of New Jersey for the abuse he endured as a child while in state care. The $3.5 million settlement, finalized earlier this year, is one of the largest resolutions under New Jersey’s Child Victim’s Act for incidents dating back over 70 years.
A History of Neglect and Abuse
In 1950, when he was only 8 years old, Chuck Carroll was placed in the New Lisbon Developmental Center after being labeled “hard to place” in the foster system. New Lisbon was established for severely developmentally disabled children and adults, which Chuck was not. While there, Chuck endured years of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse at the hands of staff and older residents.
The abuse continued even after Chuck was transferred at age 13 to the Edward R. Johnstone Training and Research Center, another Center that was established for developmentally disabled people. Yet again, Chuck endured years of abuse at the hands of various staff members, until his release at age 16. Despite the trauma, his resilience and determination to seek justice decades later became his defining strength.
A Fight for Accountability
In 2019, New Jersey expanded the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse under the Child Victim’s Act. This allowed Chuck to file a lawsuit in 2021, alleging gross negligence against the state for failing to protect children in its care.
Despite the challenges of pursuing a case involving events from the 1950s—including limited documentation and the deaths of perpetrators and witnesses—Herman Law successfully built a compelling case. The $3.5 million settlement acknowledges the gravity of the abuse and holds the state accountable.
Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom
Chuck Carroll’s fight for justice extends beyond his own case. His memoir, Hard Candy, shed light on the systemic abuse faced by children in institutional care. Additionally, his testimony at the New Jersey Statehouse contributed to the passage of the Stephen Komninos Law, which mandates unannounced inspections of group homes for individuals with disabilities.
This case highlights the resilience of survivors and the importance of seeking justice, no matter how much time has passed.
Details about Chuck Carroll’s case and story were reported by NJ Advance Media. To learn more, read the original article here.
Committed to Justice
At Herman Law, our New Jersey sex abuse lawyers are dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse and ensuring their voices are heard. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, it is never too late to pursue justice. Contact us for a free confidential consultation.