Foster Care Abuse Lawyer

Foster Care Abuse Lawyer: When Foster Care Injures Your Child or Client

No parent or attorney expects their child or client to experience physical or sexual abuse in foster care. But sometimes, the very people who are supposed to protect them end up injuring them, causing them greater harm than even the parents were alleged to cause. If your child or client has been physically, sexually or emotionally been abused in foster care, you’re probably feeling angry, scared, and confused. You might be wondering what to do next. A foster care abuse lawyer like Justice for Kids® can help you fight for your child and get the justice they deserve. Even if you are a lawyer representing a child in foster care, your area of expertise is usually dependency law and not how to make recoveries in personal injury cases for foster children, to compensate them so that they have critical resources throughout their entire lives.

Why You Need a Foster Care Abuse Lawyer: The Hard Truth About Foster Care Abuse

Foster care abuse happens more than most people realize. Right now, almost hundreds of thousands of children are living in foster homes or in substitute care across America. Many of these children face abuse and neglect from the people who are supposed to care for them.

The rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among alumni was nearly five times that of the general population and, at 21.5%, exceeded the rates for American war veterans (Vietnam—15%; Afghanistan— 6%; and Iraq—12-13%). https://www.casey.org/media/AlumniStudy_US_Report_MentalHealth.pdf Persistent mental health challenges: A 2025 summary of Casey Family Programs’ research shows that alumni of foster care experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at significantly higher rates than the general population. Those who also experience homelessness are even more likely to have PTSD-related symptoms. https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&udm=50&aep=42&q=casey+family+studies+on+outcomes+in+foster+care&mstk=AUtExfCfCu80It6rj17fgKzWBTtuuX-1xz5FF0GBfyJTqBjt1ettkGlGPsT-ajX7lularE8lsKfFjZ0zoUslAIwGNJqqATfDlmTrXigtcEoRByQ8t-uWUJN5XIxdNni2LAN3Q73cyggJ65UONFjskzVYyCfLijjKfNiPM2pmgTaem1O1yDZafmphvopa3caVdEnjdLV-IdP2oTi34V-Wg-ydTC1hCSpo8SqpLJ3TolhRGvRDZ1ITItUT7fQmv3f5Vno4MDxyGJl7DHg_TQ&csuir=1&mtid=8jb6aLvNOaiKwbkP_qO5sQs

“Updated analyses of the Casey National Alumni Study continue to show high prevalence rates of PTSD, generalized anxiety, depression, social phobia, and panic disorder among former foster youth.”

The numbers are shocking. Back in 2019, more than 670,000 children lived in foster care at some point during the year. In that same year, officials found proof of abuse in nearly 50,000 cases. That means about 9 out of every 1,000 kids in care were harmed or injured by their caregivers. But experts think the real number is much higher because many kids never tell anyone what’s happening to them, and many states only investigate abuse and neglect by parties other than the foster care agency itself. For example, when a child is sexually abused in foster care, our experience shows that foster care agencies or employees frequently place foster children with prior sexual histories with innocent victims. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8023222/#:~:text=Nearly%20700%2C000%20children%20are%20substantiated,and%20Human%20Services%2C%202019).Those cases involving agency negligence are often times not investigated.

Sexual abuse in foster care is epidemic. Children in foster care run away and are frequently victims of human trafficking. https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/foster_care_runaway_human_trafficking_october_2020_508.pdf

There are 29 states with child welfare systems with pending class actions or consent decrees because of systemwide abuse, neglect and violations of children’s most basic rights –the right to be safe from harm in these child protection systems. (Casey Family Programs, Class Action Summaries (2025 Update), https://www.casey.org/class-action-summaries-2025update/ (last visited July 14, 2025). New York, California, Illinois, and Florida –to name just a few states all face these class actions and systemic failures. Most of these cases raise claims for injunctive relief pursuant to 42 USC § 1983.

Research indicates that approximately 30% of children in foster care experience sexual abuse, a figure significantly higher than their peers outside the system (Sullivan & Van Ness, 2000; Child Sexual Abuse in Foster Care: A Review of the Literature, Child Abuse & Neglect, 24(3), 157-169.) In Florida, 30 to 41% of the children received targeted case management for mental health services were victims or sexual aggressors.

Tragically, when children are re-abused in foster or substitute care, the trauma can be devastating and impact a child’s entire life. That’s why you need a foster care abuse lawyer who knows how to hold these systems accountable.

When old surveys looked back at what happened to kids in care, they found something disturbing. Between 25% and 40% of people who grew up in foster care said they were abused or neglected while they were there. That’s way more than what the official reports show.

Foster Care Abuse Law Firm: Addressing Mental Health Crisis

Kids in foster care suffer emotionally in huge numbers. Research shows that between 50% and 80% of children in foster care have serious mental health problems. Compare that to regular kids, where only about 20% mental health issues.

Adults who lived in foster care as kids have PTSD at five times the normal rate. This shows how badly the trauma affects them for life.

Some Kids Get Hurt More Than Others

The system doesn’t treat all kids the same way. Numbers show that 1 out of every 17 kids overall ends up in foster care. But for Black children, it’s 1 out of 9. For Native American kids, it’s 1 out of 7. Native kids are overrepresented in foster care in almost every state. These differences mean some families face even bigger challenges. A good foster care abuse lawyer understands these problems and fights harder for kids who need extra protection.

Foster Care Abuse Lawyer: Recognizing Warning Signs Your Child May be Getting Hurt

Kids who are being abused often can’t tell you what’s happening. They might be too scared, too young, or too confused. Sometimes the people hurting them have threatened them. You need to watch for signs that something is wrong.

Physical Signs to Look For:

• Cuts, bruises, or other injuries that don’t make sense
• Your child gives different stories about how they got hurt
• They look dirty, too thin, or sick
• They seem to be getting sick a lot
• They’re not growing or developing like they should

Changes in Behavior:

• Your child acts very differently than before
• They become aggressive or mean
• They withdraw and don’t want to talk to anyone
• They start acting like a younger child again
• They’re terrified of certain adults or their foster parents
• Their grades drop or they refuse to go to school
• They have nightmares or wet the bed when they didn’t before
• They know about sex or use sexual language that kids their age shouldn’t know
• They panic when it’s time to go back to the foster home
• They hurt themselves or talk about wanting to die
• They suddenly eat too much or too little

Emotional Red Flags:

• They seem disconnected from everything around them
• They act like they’re always waiting for something bad to happen
• They develop new fears about things that never scared them before
• They seem like they’re “not there” sometimes

If you notice any of these signs, write everything down right away. Take pictures if there are injuries. Then call a foster care abuse lawyer immediately. Don’t wait. Quick action can stop more abuse from happening and start getting your child the help they need.

Studies show that kids who enter foster care have already been through an average of 4 traumatic experiences. Any more trauma can cause serious damage that lasts their whole life. A good foster care abuse law firm can help protect your child’s rights and make sure they get proper care.

Foster Care Abuse Law Firm: Understanding Lifelong Consequences

Foster care abuse doesn’t just hurt kids while it’s happening. The damage lasts for decades and affects every part of their lives.

Crime and Prison

Kids who are abused are 9 times more likely to commit crimes when they grow up. The Department of Justice found that 18% of people in state prisons lived in foster care when they were young. This creates a path from abuse straight to jail. A good foster care abuse law firm can help break this cycle by getting kids the support and treatment they need.

School and Jobs

Only 3% of kids who age out of foster care ever get a college degree. Only half of them will have a real job by age 24. These numbers show how abuse destroys children’s futures. An experienced foster care abuse lawyer will bring in a life care planner who has familiarity with foster care who will be able to calculate and recommend remedial care and seek to recover this amount in court.

Homelessness

Between 31% and 46% of young adults who grew up in foster care become homeless by age 26. The system that was supposed to prepare them for adult life failed them completely.

Health Problems

Adults who were sexually abused as children have 2.6 times higher risk of dying young. Those who were physically abused have 1.7 times higher risk One in four kids who age out of foster care develops PTSD. A foster care abuse law firm that understands these long-term health effects can fight for compensation that covers lifetime medical care.

The Cycle Continues

About 30% of abused kids grow up to abuse their own children.Breaking this cycle takes intensive help and support. Legal action from a skilled foster care abuse lawyer can provide the resources needed to stop the pattern.

Why You Need a Foster Care Abuse Lawyer: Navigating Complex Legal Systems

Foster care abuse cases are much harder than regular personal injury cases. You have to deal with multiple agencies, different courts, complex laws and understand child protection and or disability systems, which vary state to state..

You might need to navigate:

• State child welfare agencies and CPS offices
• Criminal courts if someone gets charged
• Civil state courts to obtain money for damages
• Federal courts for civil rights violations
• Various state agencies with their own rules

This is why you absolutely need a specialized foster care abuse law firm. Most personal injury lawyers handle a variety of personal injury cases and don’t have limit their practice to just representing children in foster care and child protection systems. A dedicated foster care abuse lawyer knows exactly how to navigate these specialized systems and fight for your child or client where against government agencies or specialized foster care providers.

How a Foster Care Abuse Lawyer Fights for Your Child’s Rights

A good foster care abuse lawyer does much more than just file paperwork. They become your child’s strongest advocate and fight on multiple fronts.

Building a Strong Case

Experienced foster care abuse lawyers know what evidence to look for:

• They demand every document from the foster care agency
• They talk to other kids who lived in the same home
• They work with doctors and therapists to document the harm
• They look for patterns of complaints against foster parents or agencies
• They find proof that the system failed to protect your child
• They review training records and background checks
• They investigate how placement decisions were made

Going After Everyone Who Failed Your Child

A dedicated foster care abuse lawyer holds all the responsible parties accountable:

• Foster parents who hurt your child
• Agencies that ignored warning signs
• Government workers who didn’t do their jobs
• Companies that cut corners to save money
• Professionals who should have reported abuse but didn’t
• Social workers who failed to supervise properly
• Schools or therapists who missed obvious signs

Understanding the Real Cost of Foster Care Abuse

Child abuse costs the country $585 billion every year. This includes medical bills, lost productivity, crime costs, and other impacts. When fighting for compensation, an experienced foster care abuse law firm knows how to show the full financial impact of what happened to your child.

Protecting Your Child During the Legal Process

Good foster care abuse law firms understand trauma and work carefully with children:

• They create safe spaces where kids feel comfortable talking
• They minimize how many times children have to tell their story
• They explain legal processes in ways kids can understand
• They coordinate with therapists and doctors
• They ask courts to make special accommodations for children
• They schedule everything around therapy and treatment
• They use child-friendly interview techniques

Foster Care Abuse Law Firm: Securing Maximum Compensation

Money can’t undo abuse, but it can provide lifelong care and support your child or client needs. An aggressive foster care abuse lawyer with knowledge of foster care and disability systems fights for compensation that covers everything including:

Immediate Needs:

• Emergency medical care for injuries
• Trauma therapy and psychiatric treatment
• Hospital stays if needed
• Medications

Long-Term Care:

• Therapy for life
• Help with school problems
• Job training and career counseling
• Learning how to live independently

Financial Losses:

• Money your child won’t earn because of educational problems and trauma
• All future medical and mental health costs
• Therapy services both individual and group
• Special education, tutoring and vocational training
• Drug treatment services and sometimes placements
• Life care planning for complex needs

Pain and Suffering:

• Compensation for physical and emotional pain
• Money for losing their childhood
• Payment for psychological harm
• Compensation for not being able to form healthy relationships

A skilled foster care abuse lawyer uses every legal option to make sure settlements reflect what your child will need for their entire life.

Choosing a Foster Care Abuse Lawyer: Taking the First Step

If you think your child is being abused in foster care, or if they were hurt in the past, contacting a foster care abuse law firm is the most important thing you can do. Ask them, how many cases like your child’s or your client’s cases have they handled. Most experienced foster care abuse lawyers offer free consultations to evaluate your case.

When you first talk to our foster care abuse lawyers, here’s what you can expect:

• A safe place where no one will judge you or your child
• Immediate advice to make sure your child is safe right now and receiving appropriate foster care services
• Clear explanations of your rights and options
• Honest answers about how strong your case is
• A realistic timeline of what the legal process involves
• Complete honesty about costs (many cases are handled on contingency, which means you don’t pay unless we win)
• Connections to therapists, doctors, and other professionals who can help

Time limits apply to foster care abuse cases. If you wait too long, your child might lose the right to seek justice and compensation forever. Acting quickly with a foster care abuse lawyer protects these important legal rights.

Knowledgeable Foster Care Abuse Law Firm: Justice for Kids®

When you’re looking for a foster care abuse law firm, you need a team that really understands child welfare law and these systems. You need lawyers who have won big cases before involving child protection systems and who truly care about kids.

Justice for Kids®, part of Kelley Kronenberg, focuses only on protecting children who have been hurt by the systems that were supposed to help them. Our foster care abuse lawyers combine deep legal knowledge with passion to fight for kids who have been betrayed by foster care.

Foster Care Abuse Lawyers: Our Track Record of Success

Our foster care abuse lawyers have won significant money for children who were hurt in care:

• Multi-million dollar settlements for kids who were sexually abused in foster homes
• Substantial verdicts against agencies that failed to screen and monitor placements properly
• Important court decisions that have improved how foster care works
• Comprehensive settlements that provide lifetime care for severely traumatized children

You can see the types of cases we handle and the children we represent. (Internal Link to the children we represent page)

Foster Care Abuse Law Firm: Comprehensive Support Beyond Legal Representation

Fighting in court is important, but healing takes more than that. An experienced foster care abuse law firm like Justice for Kids® connects families with the services they need:

• Experienced advocates who can represent children in their dependency actions
• Specialized therapy for foster care trauma
• Help advocating the right services at school
• Medical treatment for both physical and emotional injuries
• Help finding safe, therapeutic places to live
• Connections to support groups and community resources
• Long-term planning for children in foster care or with disabilities
• Financial planning to protect settlement money
• Ongoing help to make sure services continue

If we can’t directly point you in the right direction, we will connect you with the advicates or individuals who can get you what your child or client needs. We understand that recovering from foster care abuse requires both strong legal representation and comprehensive support working together.

Foster Care Abuse Lawyers Working for Systemic Change

At Justice for Kids®, our foster care abuse lawyers know that every case we handle can help to fix the bigger problem. Individual personal injury cases can help improve the system. When we win cases, expose bad practices, and get large settlements, we create pressure for the system to do better. We also are actively involved as board members, leaders and sponsors of advocacy organizations including Florida’s Children First, Youth Law Center, National Association for Counsel for Children and various other legal aid organizations.

We work to:

• Advocating for quality counsel for all children in care
• Making foster care records available to children, their attorneys and other representatives
• Require stricter licensing laws by requiring agencies do better screening, background checks and monitoring of foster parents and other caretakers for children
• Require better training for foster parents and workers
• Normalizing foster care by permitting foster children to participate in the same kinds of activities as other children without court orders
• Addressing the problem of case workers having too many cases and reducing case worker turnover
• Demand transparency and accountability from agencies
• Support laws that better protect children in care including “bills of rights” for foster children
• Advocacy for greater appropriations and higher reimbursement rates for mental health services
• Improve educational outcomes for foster children and youth from their primary education, through post-baccalaureate degrees.
• Extending the benefits and supports of foster children as they move into independent living after the age of 18.
• Providing affiliation opportunities and chapters for older foster youth and amplifying the voice of children in foster care
• Support new technology to better track and monitor children

Contact a Foster Care Abuse Lawyer Today . . . Don’t Wait!

Deciding to take legal action for foster care abuse takes courage. But it can completely change your child’s future and prevent other children from getting hurt the same way. With Justice for Kids® as your foster care abuse lawyers, you’ll have confident advocates fighting hard for your child’s rights. We are one of the very few law firms that narrow our practice to children who are in foster care or disability systems.

If you suspect foster care abuse or your child has been hurt in the system, don’t try to handle it alone. Contact a dedicated foster care abuse lawyer who really understands these complex cases and can provide the specialized help needed to get justice, compensation, and a better future for your child.

The statistics make it clear: foster care abuse isn’t rare – it’s a crisis that requires immediate action. Your child’s case might be what leads to changes that protect many other vulnerable children. Together, we can fight for justice while working toward a future where every child in care truly finds the safety and protection they deserve.

If you need an experienced foster care abuse law firm to represent your child, contact Justice for Kids® today for a free, confidential consultation. Our foster care abuse lawyers are ready to help you get the justice and compensation your child deserves.

This article gives general information about foster care abuse legal matters and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For help with your particular foster care abuse situation, please contact a qualified foster care abuse lawyer at Justice for Kids®, a division of Kelley Kronenberg.