Crownsville Hospital Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Crownsville Hospital Center has a controversial and significantly troubling legacy when it comes to sexual abuse allegations. Lately, there has been a resurgence of public interest as survivor stories start to come forward. For those pursuing justice, it is paramount to understand victims’ rights, especially as laws evolve in Maryland to support survivors of institutional abuse.
Helping Survivors exists to support and empower victims of sexual mistreatment. If you or a loved one has survived an assault or sexual abuse of any kind at Crownsville Hospital Center, know that you are not alone and there are legal avenues available to you to pursue justice. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
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- Crownsville Hospital Center, established in 1911 for Black patients, has a history of racial discrimination, neglect, and abuse. Allegations include various forms of abuse in overcrowded and understaffed conditions.
- Survivors and advocates are speaking out, highlighting decades of mistreatment, including sexual abuse. Their efforts are raising public awareness and driving a legal movement supported by Maryland laws, such as the Child Victims Act of 2023, which eliminate barriers to justice.
- Multiple law firms are investigating these claims, and lawsuits have been filed to expose systemic failures and hold institutions accountable for the trauma inflicted on vulnerable individuals, especially children.
- Organizations like Helping Survivors provide trauma-informed support, offering free consultations. Survivors now have a path to pursue criminal and civil claims for compensation related to pain, medical care, and emotional trauma.
What was Crownsville Hospital Center?
Crownsville Hospital center, located in Crownsville, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, was founded in 1911 as the “Hospital for the Negro Insane of Maryland.” The state operated the facility until its closure in 2004.
The original purpose of Crownsville Hospital Center was to segregate Black patients with mental illness, which reflects a legacy of racial discrimination and medical neglect. Patients included adults and children with mental illness, disabilities, or considered “unfit” for society. The facility is now the subject of historical and social scrutiny due to its poor conditions and treatment of vulnerable populations.
- What was Crownsville Hospital Center?
- History of Abuse Allegations at Crownsville Hospital Center
- Current Lawsuits or Legal Developments Tied to Crownsville Hospital Center
- Empowering Survivors: Legal Paths After Crownsville Hospital Abuse
- File a Civil Lawsuit Against Crownsville Hospital Center
- How an Experienced Sex Abuse Attorney Can Help Today
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
History of Abuse Allegations at Crownsville Hospital Center
Longstanding reports of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse exist for Crownsville Hospital Center. Throughout the 20th century, records documented that the facility faced issues with overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate medical care.
- In the 1940s, Crownsville Hospital Center operated at 30% over its capacity, compared to 11% overcapacity at other hospitals serving white patients.
- A 1955 report from the National Trust for Historic Preservation states that the facility was built to accommodate 1,100 patients but housed 2,719 patients.
- Neglect was especially prevalent during World War II due to extreme staffing shortages, with some sources claiming that staff numbers were one to 90 psychiatric patients.
A former patient, Guy Ferguson, resided at the institution from 1976 to 1983. He described his experience as “akin to being in hell.” He recalls being forced to clean up after white staff members and stated, “We were taking care of the whites who were supposed to be taking care of us, and they experimented on us [Black people] and we were abused.”
Over 1,500 patients who passed away in Crownsville Hospital Center were given unmarked graves on the hospital grounds. Even more dehumanizing, these graves had numbers instead of names.
Many records may be sealed or lost, but survivor voices are increasingly coming forward and bringing justice to those who did not have the opportunity to do so.
Current Lawsuits or Legal Developments Tied to Crownsville Hospital Center
As of now, a number of survivors have filed lawsuits alleging abuse at facilities such as the Crownsville Hospital Center.
Personal Lawsuits
A former patient filed a 2024 lawsuit for alleged repeated sexual abuse by a hospital employee when she was only 16 years old. These incidents allegedly took place back in 2006, and the complaint accused Maryland of failing to prevent the abuse, as well as highlighting a pattern of sexual misconduct at the facility.
The Victim Compensation Reform Act
Enacted in 2024 by the state of Maryland, the Victim Compensation Reform Act modernizes the state’s victims’ compensation program. The purpose of the reform is to simplify and streamline the process of obtaining compensation by removing barriers and enabling quicker access to funds for immediate needs, such as funeral or medical expenses.
The Child Victims Act
In a significant change to Maryland Law through the Child Victims Act of 2023, individuals can now file a civil lawsuit at any time, regardless of when their alleged abuse took place. Formerly, victims had until the age of 38 to do so in accordance with the statute of limitations. This major shift in holding perpetrators accountable has opened the door for many survivors to seek justice and further their journey toward healing.
Since the removal of the statute of limitations, over 100 victims have filed lawsuits alleging abuse within state-run juvenile detention centers. We anticipate that more survivors of sex abuse at Crownsville Hospital Center will come forward to share their stories.
Empowering Survivors: Legal Paths After Crownsville Hospital Abuse
If you or a family member has experienced sex abuse at Crownsville Hospital Center, know you are not alone and you have rights. Our empathetic team is here to guide you through the process of taking legal action. Survivors can pursue both criminal and civil legal actions, even if the abuse occurred long ago.
The state or federal government files criminal charges on behalf of society. The purpose is to punish and deter harmful conduct, including sexual abuse. The penalties for a conviction include jail or prison time, probation, and fines. In contrast, an individual or group known as a plaintiff files a civil lawsuit. This is done to resolve disputes and compensate victims for the harm they have suffered. The outcome of a successful case includes monetary damages for the plaintiff’s losses. At Helping Survivors, we can assist with navigating and filing civil lawsuits.
Through the elimination of the statute of limitations, survivors of child sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred, even if previous statutes of limitations had expired. The Child Victims Act of 2023 also raises the cap on noneconomic damages in claims against private institutions from $890,000 to $1.5 million.
File a Civil Lawsuit Against Crownsville Hospital Center
Civil lawsuits offer survivors a path to compensation and accountability. They can expose systemic wrongdoing and push for reform. When successful, these claims can result in recoverable damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Medical costs
- Ongoing therapy and counseling
- Lost opportunities
- Decreased quality of life
Fortunately, with the removal of the statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors, individuals can now file a civil lawsuit at any point without the risk of missing the deadline.
How an Experienced Sex Abuse Attorney Can Help Today
You should never have to navigate the aftermath of abuse on your own. Helping Survivors can connect individuals with experienced, trauma-informed attorneys. We emphasize confidentiality, compassion, and zero-cost consultations. With this, there are no upfront fees, and you only pay if we recover compensation.
Survivors deserve justice, healing, and to be heard—legal support can be a powerful step forward. Get in touch with Helping Survivors today for more information.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
