Foster Care Abuse Attorney Representing Children in New York
If you or your child has suffered abuse in foster care, reach out today for a free and confidential consultation. Our experienced lawyers are ready stand with you and fight for justice.
Your Rights Matter: Foster Care Abuse Advocacy
Foster care is meant to provide safety and stability for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. But too often, the child welfare system exposes them to further harm. When abuse occurs in foster homes, group homes, or residential facilities, legal action may be necessary to protect children and hold those responsible accountable.
As foster care abuse lawyers, we are committed to defending children’s civil rights and securing justice for survivors. We represent children who have been abused by foster parents and those who have suffered abuse or neglect in group and residential care facilities due to systemic failures in New York’s foster care system.
ALM Law: Fighting for Victims of Foster Care Abuse
As dedicated foster care abuse attorneys in New York, we take a trauma-informed approach to every case, working to ensure that victims of sexual abuse and other mistreatment in foster care receive the justice they deserve. Our firm holds accountable those who violate their duty to protect children—and we fight relentlessly on behalf of the young people harmed by their failures.
- Experienced legal representation in Foster Care Abuse Cases: Our foster care abuse attorneys understand the complexities of New York’s child welfare system and know how to hold those responsible accountable. We are committed to securing justice for children harmed in foster homes, group settings, and institutional care.
- Compassionate, trauma-informed advocacy: We approach every case with sensitivity and respect, recognizing the lasting impact of abuse. Our trauma-informed practice prioritizes the safety, dignity, and well-being of each client.
- Comprehensive legal support every step of the way: From investigation to trial and appeal, we provide strategic legal support throughout the entire process. As foster care abuse lawyers, we stand with our clients every step of the way.
Types of Cases We Take as Foster Care Abuse Attorneys
At ALM Law, we represent victims of foster care abuse and foster care sexual abuse in New York, fighting to hold negligent institutions and agencies accountable. Our experience as foster care abuse attorneys allows us to navigate complex cases and demand justice for every child harmed in the system.
Foster Home Abuse
Foster homes are intended to provide safety and stability—but not all foster families offer the protection children need. Abuse can be committed by foster parents, relatives, or others residing in the home. In some cases, children suffer sexual abuse or physical violence while in foster care. These cases often involve serious failures in how homes were screened, licensed, and supervised—failures that must be exposed to hold the right parties accountable.
Foster Care Abuse in Group Homes & Residential Facilities
In New York, children in foster care may be placed in emergency shelters, group homes, residential facilities, and psychiatric residential treatment centers. Yet these institutions often fail to provide the safe, supportive environment that young people need. Foster care abuse—including sexual abuse—is a persistent and widespread issue.
Some facilities systematically violate children’s constitutional and federal rights by using unlawful restraints (including chemical sedatives known as “booty juice”), subjecting youth to prolonged isolation, or denying essential medical care. Many children also face discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act when their needs are ignored or deliberately neglected.
Organizations such as Sequel Youth & Family Services, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Universal Health Services, and Acadia Healthcare have been repeatedly scrutinized in the media and by lawmakers. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s report, Warehouses of Neglect: How Taxpayers Are Funding Systemic Abuse in Youth Residential Treatment Facilities, highlights the systemic failures that continue to harm vulnerable children.
As foster care abuse attorneys, we understand the complexity of the child welfare system and fight for children who have been harmed in these settings. At ALM Law, we have the experience and determination to hold powerful institutions accountable.
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Who We Hold Accountable
Children in foster care rely on government agencies, as well as private and nonprofit organizations, to protect their safety. When those responsible fail—by licensing dangerous foster homes or mismanaging group homes, residential treatment centers, or psychiatric facilities—children bear the cost. At ALM Law, we take legal action against the entities responsible for that harm.
When neglect, abuse, or systemic misconduct leads to foster care abuse, those in power must be held accountable. As foster care abuse lawyers, we pursue justice through legal action against state agencies and organizations that allowed abuse to occur under their watch.
If you or someone you care about has experienced abuse or neglect in foster care, you don’t have to face it alone. Our experienced foster care abuse attorneys are here to advocate for victims, hold wrongdoers accountable, and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Navigating the Complexities of Foster Care in New York
New York’s foster care system is state-supervised by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and county-administered, meaning that local departments of social services oversee day-to-day operations. Children may enter foster care either voluntarily or by court order, typically due to concerns about abuse or neglect. Although many placements are temporary with the goal of family reunification, some lead to adoption. Counties often contract with private foster care agencies to certify foster homes, manage placements, and oversee casework.
This division of responsibility between state, county, and private actors can lead to serious accountability gaps. When oversight fails—such as placing children in unsafe homes or ignoring signs of abuse—no single agency may take responsibility. At ALM Law, we expose these failures and pursue legal action against the agencies and institutions that failed to protect the children in their care.
Fighting for Victims of Foster Care Abuse
Whether you’re currently in foster care or no longer in the system, our foster care abuse attorneys are here to hold those responsible accountable and pursue justice on your behalf. At ALM Law, we stand with children and young adults who have experienced abuse, neglect, or mistreatment while in foster care.
Time matters—legal deadlines often limit how long you have to file a claim, sometimes just a few years after turning 18. Our experienced foster care abuse lawyers are ready to guide you through the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a foster care abuse lawyer do, and how can they assist me?
A foster care abuse attorney advocates for children who have experienced abuse or mistreatment while in foster care—including in foster homes, emergency shelters, group homes, residential treatment centers, and psychiatric facilities. They investigate the abuse, hold responsible parties accountable through legal action, and work to secure compensation for the harm inflicted.
What steps should I take if I suspect abuse in a New York foster home?
If you suspect abuse in a foster home, it’s important to act quickly. Document any signs—such as physical injuries, sudden behavioral changes, or emotional distress—and report your concerns to local authorities or the appropriate child welfare agency. To understand your legal options and protect the child’s rights, consult a foster care abuse attorney experienced in representing victims of abuse in the foster care system.
How can a foster care sexual abuse lawyer help survivors of institutional abuse?
Children in group homes, residential treatment centers, and psychiatric facilities are especially vulnerable to foster care sexual abuse. A foster care sexual abuse lawyer advocates for survivors by building cases against abusers and the institutions that failed to protect them. These cases not only seek justice and compensation for survivors—they can also drive systemic change and help prevent future abuse.
What deadlines apply to filing a lawsuit for foster care abuse in New York?
New York has strict statutes of limitations for foster care abuse cases, including those involving violations of a young person’s civil rights. In many instances, survivors have only a few years after turning 18 to pursue legal action. However, under New York’s Child Victims Act, individuals who experienced childhood sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits against abusers and responsible institutions until age 55. While certain exceptions may extend these deadlines, it’s critical to consult a foster care abuse attorney as early as possible to protect your rights and ensure your case is filed on time.
Why choose our foster care abuse lawyers?
Our team has extensive experience handling foster care abuse cases and takes a trauma-informed approach to supporting survivors. We are dedicated to holding agencies, foster parents, and private organizations accountable while pursuing justice for those harmed in the foster care system. ALM Law’s founder has spent the majority of her career fighting for the rights of young people in foster care, and that commitment guides every case we take.
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