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How Charles H. Hickey School Victims Can Get Justice 2024

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Ready to hire a sex abuse lawyer? Contact our confidential hotline for victims of sex abuse at (301)547-7664. Or complete the form below and we’ll connect you today.

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Horrifically, the staff at Charles H. Hickey School (commonly called the ‘Hickey School’) performed and perpetuated heinous acts of child abuse for the decades in which the facility was operating as a juvenile detention center. 

Dozens of victims have taken legal action against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and MD recently passed legislation that now allows victims from past decades to get compensation for their abuse. 

But who qualifies to sue the Hickey School? What steps need to be taken? And what kind of compensation can you expect in getting justice for your abuse? 

In this guide, a Maryland sex abuse attorney will explain all of these details and help you get started in taking action against the Charles H. Hickey School.

Ready to hire a sex abuse lawyer? Contact our confidential hotline for victims of sex abuse at (301)547-7664. Or complete the form below and we’ll connect you today.

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Who Qualifies to Sue the Hickey School for Abuse?

Maryland recently signed the Child Victims Act of 2023 into law, removing statutes of limitations for filing civil lawsuits against abusers who sexually assaulted children. That means, as of last year, if you were abused at the Hickey School at any time (including decades ago) you are entitled to sue for financial compensation.

What is the Process to Sue the MD Department of Juvenile Services?

The Charles Hickey School was under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Dept. of Juvenile Services, meaning that you can sue them for allowing the systemic abuse to occur at the Parkville, MD facility for years that resulted in your assault. 

You are entitled to get justice for your trauma. Here is the step-by-step process for filing a lawsuit:

1. Share Your Story With an MD Child Abuse Attorney

There are qualified attorneys that know the ins and outs of Maryland’s laws and can help you in bringing your case forward. Get in touch with an attorney today to explain the circumstances around your case. They’ll proceed to explain how filing your lawsuit will work, and assist you in bringing your case forward to earn you a much-deserved payout from the MD state government for your abuse. 

Often, sex abuse attorneys work on contingency, which means you will not be charged upfront and will only owe your lawyer payment if they succeed in getting you financial compensation.

Ready to hire a sex abuse lawyer? Contact our confidential hotline for victims of sex abuse at (301)547-7664. Or complete the form below and we’ll connect you today.

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2. File Your Lawsuit

After they gather all of the details, your attorney will file a complaint with the state for you. The complaint will highlight how the staff at the Hickey School performed and allowed for continued abuse as well as the damages you’re seeking.

3. Aim for Settlement

Once the defendant, the MD Dept. of Juvenile Services, is notified of the lawsuit, the discovery process will take place. 

Commonly, the defendant will aim to reach a settlement rather than go to trial. MDJS will likely propose a settlement amount to conclude the case. 

If you and your lawyer aren’t happy with the proposed number, your attorney will negotiate more reasonable payout terms on your behalf. The amount of time it takes to settle is completely dependent on the case at hand, but commonly can take several months to a few years. 

If you fail to reach a settlement number with the MDJS, the case will go to trial.

What Type of Compensation Can You Expect in a Settlement for Child Sex Abuse?

The payouts for cases vary drastically, as they are dependent on the specific circumstances around your assault. Common damages covered in Maryland child sex abuse lawsuits include:

  • physical and mental health medical bills 
  • pain and suffering 
  • legal expenses
  • punitive damages


Across Maryland and the United States, abuse victims have received multiple millions of dollars in settlements. There is no cap on economic damages in the MD Child Victims Act, and you can sue for up to $890,000 for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The state recognizes the struggles that come as a result of child sex abuse, and has passed this progressive legislation to get you the financial compensation for your abuse. 

Work With a Maryland Sex Abuse Attorney to Get Justice

Your time at the Hickey School was horrific as a result of abusers the juvenile detention center kept employed that were victimizing children for decades. If you were abused by a staff member at the Charles H. Hickey School, you’re entitled to financial compensation. 

Book a call to get started today with a Maryland sexual assault attorney to sue the state without upfront legal fees.

Suing the Hickey School - FAQs

Can Victims From Decades Past Sue the Hickey School?

Yes, regardless of when your child abuse occurred, the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 very intentionally removed the statutes of limitations for filing civil lawsuits against abusers in the state, knowing that child abuse can result in lifelong pain and suffering. 

If you were abused at any point in time at the Hickey School (previously called the Maryland Training School for Boys), you are eligible to sue the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

Does It Cost Money to Sue Over Sex Abuse?

In cases with major evidence of systemic abuse such as the Charles Hickey School, lawyers are oftentimes willing to work on contingency. That means that you won’t have any upfront legal fees throughout the entirety of the legal process, and that if you weren’t able to receive a settlement, the attorney will not be compensated. If you do receive a settlement, your lawyer will get a portion of the earnings.

What is the Charles H. Hickey School?

The Hickey School, formerly called the Maryland Training School for Boys until 1985, was a juvenile detention facility on Old Harford Road in Parkville, Maryland. In recent years, dozens of victims have come forward reporting that staff members were constantly abusing children on the premises. The facility was in operation from the mid-1800s until the early 2000s.

Related Maryland Facilities With Systemic Abuse:

Sources

Ready to hire a sex abuse lawyer? Contact our confidential hotline for victims of sex abuse at (301)547-7664. Or complete the form below and we’ll connect you today.

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