Search Results for: Jerry Sandusky

Police in Pittsburgh are investigating the sexual abuse of seven patients at UPMC Mercy. A former patient sitter, William Butler, has been accused of indecent assault and aggravated indecent assault. He has since been fired from the hospital. One of the victims of the assault is now suing UPMC for failing to protect her from being sexually assaulted by Butler.

Unfortunately, the abuse of sick or elderly hospital patients is common. Sexual predators often capitalize on the vulnerability and trust of patients to commit abuse. Hospitals have a duty to enact adequate policies and procedures to protect patients from sexual abuse. If a hospital fails to protect their patients from abuse, victims may have civil remedies against the hospital.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in lawsuits against hospitals for negligently enabling abuse. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of sexual abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

On August 25, 2015, it was reported that Marvin Sharp, an elite gymnastics coach and owner of Sharp’s Gymnastics Academy, has been arrested for allegedly molesting a female student. Sources reported that in addition to the single charge of molestation, there could be additional victims. USA Gymnastics, which is based in Indianapolis near Sharp’s school, has stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement’s investigation into Sharp.

Sharp’s arrest comes just days after the guilty plea of former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle on similar charges, although sources say the Sharp investigation has no connection to Fogle. Fogle also lived in Indianapolis, near Sharp’s gymnastics academy.

Victims of Sharp and Fogle should consider contacting a crime victims’ attorney as soon as possible. In Sharp’s case, if USA Gymnastics, Sharp’s Gymnastics Academy, or any other institution was aware of he posed a risk to his students, they could be liable for damages to the victims. In addition, both Sharp and Fogle may have personal assets worth pursuing through the civil justice system.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

David Allen Fichter, a maintenance worker at Camp Hope for Kids, has been arrested and charged with abusing a girl six years ago, when the girl was 6 years old. Fitcher has reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting the girl on almost two dozen occasions, many of them at Camp Hope. Fichter admitted doing so “despite her cries for him to stop,” according to a statement from the local district attorney’s office. Fichter has been charged with 60 counts, including rape of a child, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, among other alleged offenses.

The victim’s family in this case may have a civil claim arising out of the girl’s abuse. Now 12, the young victim has until she turns 30 to file a civil claim for damages. Given his crimes, it is unlikely Fitcher has any assets worth pursuing, but Camp Hope may be jointly liable with Fitcher if the Camp was negligent in hiring, supervising, or retaining Fitcher. Camp Home likely should have prevented Fitcher from having private access to the victim, which, clearly, he somehow did. Arguably, if Camp Hope better did its job, the young victim in this case would never have suffered the abuse at Fitcher’s hands. The victim’s family should contact an experienced crime victim attorney as soon as possible.

Andreozzi + Foote P.C. represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

On October 8, 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced it would revoke the license of Glade Run Lutheran Services in Zelienople, Pennsylvania following allegations that children were sexually abused at the residential treatment facility.
DHS received reports of sexual abuse at the facility, and conducted an investigation in coordination with law enforcement.

DHS discovered several violations including, inadequate supervision of the children, failed policy and procedure implementation; failure to report missing children; staff members sleeping during their shifts; and insufficient staffing levels.

Given DHS’ findings about Glade Run’s failures to protect the children in its care, the facility may be liable to any victims of sexual abuse for damages.

Andreozzi + Foote P.C. represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately

Not all sexual predators are physically violent. Some prey on their victims secretly, in some cases placing hidden cameras in bathrooms, bedrooms, or locker rooms to tape people during intimate moments.

Yesterday, PennLive reported that a local foot doctor has been placed on indefinite leave Keystone Podiatric Medical Associates after he allegedly hid a camera in an employee bathroom last month. The doctor, David Todoroff, has also been charged with crimes related to his conduct.

At the same time, just outside Baltimore, a Towson University diving coach was indicated for similar crimes. According to the Balitmore Sun, Maureen Mead, who has since been on leave, was charged on Monday in Baltimore County with crimes related to her placing a secret recording device in a women’s locker room on campus.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

As has recently been reported, a man has recently been indicted for making child pornography at Dorner Park for the last ten years. Kurt Eichert, 51, of Wyndmoor, allegedly filmed children changing at the park starting from 2005 until this September, and then distributed the videos as child pornography online.

Amazingly, Eichert was charged in 1996 with similar crimes for filming teenagers changing at the Wildwater Kingdom, Dorney Park’s water park. He pled guilty to those charges.

Although Eichert did not work for Dorney Park, the Park may face liability for allowing Eichert’s conduct to continue. The Park is not commenting on how Eichert regained access to the Park after his 1996 arrest, but it is safe to assume the Park did not adequately insure Eichert did not have access to children changing at the park. Parents of children who attended the park over the last decade should immediately consult with a sexual abuse lawyer.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

Over the last several months, multiple staff members and a prison doctor have been arrested for sexually assaulting female inmates at a Pennsylvania state correctional institute in Muncy, Pennsylvania. SCI Muncy is a medium/maximum security facility for adult female offenders sentenced to prison in Pennsylvania. Female prisoners are especially vulnerable to sexual assaults. Their abusers are often in positions of power over them, and they are less likely to be believed if they report abuse due to their criminal histories.

SCI Muncy is a particularly troubled institution. In August, it was reported that a male staff member was having a sexual relationship with an inmate. Shortly after, a prison doctor was arrested for sexually assaulting and raping two female inmates. Now, another male staff member has been arrested for groping an inmate.

John Wetzel, State Corrections Secretary, still has confidence that Muncy is “fully committed” to providing a safe environment for inmates. Obviously, though, SCI Muncy has failed to do so. SCI Muncy has failed to adequately screen and train staff on multiple occasions. Although it is unknown was the perpetrator’s backgrounds may have revealed about their behavior, what’s clear is that more should be done. A female prisoner has every right to be free from sexual abuse while incarcerated.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. We are also representing the families of murdered love ones in several cases. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a potential civil lawsuit, please contact me immediately at nate@victimscivilattorneys.com.

The Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese recently placed priests on leave amid allegations that they sexually abused children. Bishop Mark Bartchak announced on Sunday that Rev. David Arseneault and Rev. James Coveney were the subject of allegations which date back about 20 years.

The biggest question circulating in the media is why are these allegations only being brought to the public now. As attorneys experienced in representing victims of child sexual abuse, we can tell you one of the reasons may be that the victims have only now come forward with the allegations. Survivors of abuse are often not prepared to come forward and confront their abusers until many years after the abuse occurred. Fortunately for sexual abuse victims, lawyers in both the criminal and civil cases can take steps to protect the identity of the victims. For example, our law firm identifies victims in court paperwork using a pseudonym such as John Doe.

Assuming that the statute of limitations (the time period to file charges or legal claims) has not expired, the victims of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic sex abuse case should be able to seek criminal and civil justice. This means trying to send Rev. David Arseneault and Rev. James Coveney to jail, and also suing them and possibly the church if it failed to take appropriate action to protect the victims.

It is no coincidence that the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (the churches political lobbying division) has been hard at work in Harrisburg over the past few years trying to defeat legislation which was introduced to expand the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims to make sure they receive justice. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has spent countless dollars on lobbyists who have thus far inexplicably convinced legislatures that allowing victims a greater time period to come forward with their allegations is a bad thing.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a your legal options, please contact us at 866-311-8640 for a free consultation.

According to Pennlive, a Pennsylvania grand jury recently found that hundreds of children were sexually abused and raped by diocese priests and religious leaders over the past 40 years. The abuse were perpetrated by more than 50 priests and religious leaders. It gets worse. Testimony to the grand jury revealed that diocese superiors concealed the child abuse as part of an effort to protect the institution’s image.

Although many victims claims against the Diocese may have expired under the current statute of limitations, many may still have viable claims. In Pennsylvania, a victim of childhood sexual abuse has until they turn 30 to file a civil action. As such, victims need to act quickly to preserve their legal rights.

Andreozzi + Foote represents sexual abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Our firm is well-known for its work on behalf of abuse victims, including representing 11 of Jerry Sandusky’s victims. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and are interested in exploring a your legal options, please contact us at 866-311-8640 for a free consultation.