Surviving sexual abuse in a foster or group home can shape an entire lifetime. Many survivors carry the weight for years, sometimes decades, before they feel safe enough to speak up or even name what happened, especially if they haven’t been believed in the past.
At Fuller & Fuller, we understand. We’ve been fighting for survivors of foster home abuse in Washington for years. We are here to listen to, believe, and support you, and to pursue justice against those responsible for the trauma you have endured.
Schedule a Free, Confidential Consultation With a Washington Foster Care Abuse Attorney
Call Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced Washington foster care sexual abuse lawyers today. We have offices in Tacoma and Olympia, but we represent sexual abuse survivors throughout the state. We will listen to your experiences and help you understand your rights.
We recognize the bravery involved in coming forward with claims of sexual abuse you experienced in a foster or group home, and take every measure to treat survivors with the respect and seriousness their experiences demand.
Our foster care abuse attorneys do not get paid for these cases until after a recovery has been made. This means there is no financial risk involved in seeking our help. There is also no obligation to choose our firm after talking to us. We are dedicated to helping survivors heal emotionally and recover financially from the crimes that have been committed against them. When you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen.
You are never “Too Old” to Pursue a Foster Care Sexual Abuse Claim in Washington
Washington law recognizes what survivors of foster care sexual abuse have always known: trauma does not run on a tidy calendar. To acknowledge this truth, the state legislature changed the statute of limitations for civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse. Essentially, this means that, whether you’re 25, 45, 65, or older, you’re not automatically blocked from seeking civil justice and compensation. That statement was true when this blog was written. However, this change in the law may not last forever, so the time to act is now if you suffered sexual abuse in foster care or in a group home as a child.
While state law only provides a three-year window for claims to be filed by this specific set of survivors, that three-year window might not even open until you are well into adulthood.
The Washington foster care abuse attorneys at Fuller & Fuller understand how the impact of sexual abuse can take years to be fully understood, and we want you to know two things: You are never too old to hold those responsible for your experiences accountable, and you are entitled to seek fair and full compensation for their actions.
We believe survivors. We support survivors. We are here to pursue the justice and compensation you need to heal and hopefully move forward with a life less encumbered by the trauma you have so bravely endured to this point.
Damages Sought in a Civil Foster Care or Group Home Sexual Abuse Claim
Damages sought in civil claims for victims of sexual abuse they experienced in foster and group homes when they were children include:
- Therapy and mental health treatment (past and future)
- Medical care tied to the impacts of trauma
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in life
- Costs related to substance abuse treatment and similar pervasive problems
- All costs (emotional, physical, and financial) caused by or related to the abuse
Civil cases are different from criminal proceedings, but they are not strictly about financial compensation. These claims help identify weaknesses in state supervision of children in the foster care and group home systems. These claims can encourage the state to work to strengthen regulation and oversight, helping to protect future children from suffering similar mistreatment.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Sexual Abuse in Group or Foster Homes?
Every foster care sexual abuse claim is different, but potential civil defendants can include:
- A group home, facility, or nonprofit operator
- A placement or supervising agency
- The State and/or state agencies involved in child welfare functions
- Other entities that enabled access or ignored warning signs
These claims are often about institutional failures, such as negligent hiring, negligent supervision, unsafe placement decisions, ignored reports, inadequate policies, and breakdowns in monitoring. For survivors, they’re about accountability and justice. For the childhood sexual abuse lawyers at Fuller & Fuller, they’re about assisting survivors in obtaining all that they are due.
Fuller & Fuller Helps Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse Committed in Group Homes and Foster Care Across Washington
Survivors of foster care sexual abuse come to Fuller & Fuller because they want:
- A team that treats their story with respect and care
- Straight answers about their options under Washington’s childhood sexual abuse laws
- A team that will file a lawsuit for them and act as their strong advocate
- Help navigating complex procedures
- A path forward that prioritizes privacy and survivor control
We strongly believe these cases are important and survivors deserve justice. We are honored to help those who endured sexual abuse in foster or group home settings navigate the complex legal system and secure the compensatory justice and emotional closure they deserve.
We do not charge an hourly fee and are only paid a percentage of the final recovery after you have received a settlement or verdict, and there is no obligation to work with us following your initial consultation.
Your Age Does Not Erase What Happened, and it Does Not Erase Your Rights
Survivors often spend their childhoods being ignored, doubted, or managed instead of being protected. The civil justice system cannot undo those experiences. It can, however, reinforce accountability in the present, get you compensation for your trauma, and help fund future healing.
Fuller & Fuller is on a mission to pursue justice for abused foster children, no matter how many years have passed. When you are ready to explore your options, contact us online or call us at 800-570-4878 to schedule your free and confidential consultation. We are here to listen. We are here to advise. We are here to help.
