Leading Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

After former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of sexually abusing young boys in a criminal sexual abuse case, it was Ross Feller Casey that represented the most significant number of victims in civil litigation against the university.

The firm played a crucial role in securing the eventual $60 million global settlement with Penn State on behalf of Sandusky victims, including those represented by founding partners Joel J. Feller and Matt Casey.

Few sexual abuse cases receive such international attention. But the sexual abuse attorneys at Ross Feller Casey are committed to providing the same level of expertise, understanding, and sensitivity for each case they pursue.

The firm has successfully litigated a series of seven- and eight-figure settlements involving the sexual abuse of children in various settings.

Feller recovered $5 million on behalf of a former Somerset (Pa.) Area School District student who was sexually abused by a teacher starting when she was 14 years old. In the lawsuit, Feller alleged that top district officials knew of the abuse and did nothing to prevent it.

In another case, Feller successfully litigated a multimillion-dollar settlement on behalf of a girl who was sexually assaulted by a camp counselor at a Pennsylvania summer camp.

Ross Feller Casey also is currently litigating several high-profile sexual abuse claims against school districts across Pennsylvania.

In one case, Casey alleges that administrators in the Tredyffrin / Easttown School District and the Conestoga High School in Berwyn, Pa., created a culture of tolerance that allowed a 67-year-old instructional aide to sexually abuse a student starting when she was 15. Casey filed a federal lawsuit in the case in 2017.

But as detailed by The Legal Intelligencer, a recent change in Pennsylvania law allowed Casey to file a separate lawsuit in the matter in state court in April 2022. Casey told the newspaper that the new law “opens the state courthouse doors to plaintiffs who would otherwise have no remedy under the law unless there was a civil rights claim, which is a much more difficult burden of proof to meet.”

How Common Is Child Sexual Abuse?

Unfortunately, child abuse remains far too prevalent in the United States, and because many children delay disclosure or never report sexual abuse, the actual prevalence is likely higher than what statistics indicate.

While estimates vary, research suggests that in the United States, at least one in four girls and one in 20 boys experience child sexual abuse. Additionally, around 90 percent of these cases involve a perpetrator who is known and trusted by the child or their family.

What Is Child Sexual Abuse?

There are several types of abuse and neglect that these young child victims face.

Child physical abuse is a non-accidental physical injury or trauma. This may include beating, hitting, punching, kicking, biting, burning, or any other method that is used to cause harm to a child intentionally. Physical abuse often occurs when parents or caretakers employ physical discipline tactics, and their anger at the moment can surpass their awareness of how badly they are hurting the child.

Child sexual abuse can take the form of touching a child in a sexual manner, non-touching sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation. These behaviors may include indecent exposure, intentionally exposing a child to sexual acts, fondling, sexual intercourse, sexual harassment, or using a child to create pornographic material.

While childhood sexual abuse can occur to varying degrees and may not always include sexual violence, all of these offenses can be damaging and traumatic. To make matters even worse, children often know and like the individuals who ultimately harm them. These young sexual abuse victims may not understand that these individuals are sexual predators.

Where Does Child Sexual Abuse Happen?

Child sexual assault cases can happen anywhere. You have likely heard news stories about children being abused by:

• Daycare providers
• Summer camp counselors
• Teachers
• Sports coaches
• Church or religious workers
• After-school programs
• Youth-based organizations

When children are sexually abused in places where they should be safe, both parents and children can be left feeling vulnerable and afraid. Over 20 million children in the United States attend summer camps each year.

While most children will have fun experiences, others will return home emotionally and/or physically damaged after experiencing abuse from those whom they should have been able to trust. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a typical result for a sexual abuse survivor, no matter their age.

Daycares and preschools are other areas of concern, given that nearly two-thirds of children under the age of five are in some form of childcare. Even when parents thoroughly research and investigate their options, it is easy for abuse to happen when parents cannot see exactly how their children are being cared for.

Are You Wondering How To Find A Philadelphia Sexual Abuse Lawyer?

If an organization entrusted with the care of your child neglected its responsibilities, resulting in sexual abuse, you might need to file a lawsuit. The experienced child sexual abuse lawyers at Ross Feller Casey can help you pursue justice and seek compensation. Financial compensation from a civil lawsuit cannot reverse the emotional trauma that has occurred, but it can help with the financial burdens of medical expenses and therapies.

Contact our law firm today to arrange a free consultation with one of our Philadelphia sexual abuse attorneys. As with all our cases, you will not have to pay anything until a financial recovery is made in your case.

Ross Feller Casey has personal injury attorneys who specialize in child sexual abuse lawsuits in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.