New Lisbon Developmental Center Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The New Lisbon Developmental Center, a state-run New Jersey residential treatment facility for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations in recent years over allegations of resident abuse and neglect. Some sexual abuse lawsuits against the center and the state date back as far as the 1950s, while federal investigations into facility conditions report similar incidents well into the 2000s.
If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse while residing at the New Lisbon Developmental Center, you have legal rights and options, even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago. You’re not alone, and Helping Survivors is here to help.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- The New Lisbon Developmental Center is a New Jersey residential facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center has recently faced numerous allegations and reports of resident abuse.
- If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse as a resident of New Lisbon Developmental Center–even if it was years ago–you have legal rights and options for seeking justice and compensation.
- An experienced institutional sexual abuse attorney can help your family pursue justice for the sexual abuse and hold those responsible accountable.
What is the New Lisbon Developmental Center?
The New Lisbon Developmental Center in Burlington County, New Jersey, cares for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is one of five centers run by the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities. Residents at New Lisbon have intensive needs related to their disabilities, and many have co-occurring mental health, behavioral health, or medical needs.
History of Abuse and Legal Controversies at New Lisbon
Since New Jersey extended its statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors in 2019, thousands of sexual abuse victims have come forward, including victims who suffered abuse in government-run facilities.
In 2024 alone, New Jersey paid nearly $178 million to resolve legal claims involving sexual abuse by state employees and agencies, or abuse that occurred on state-run property. Among these 332 payouts were at least two settlements for childhood sexual abuse that occurred at the New Lisbon Developmental Center decades ago.
One survivor alleged that four employees and two residents at New Lisbon sexually assaulted him for a decade starting in 1950, when he was 8 years old, until he aged out of the system at 18. The survivor received a $3.5 million payout from the state. Another man asserted he was abused at New Lisbon in 1987 at age 8, and the state settled his lawsuit for nearly $100,000.
Oversight Failures and Systemic Issues
In 2002, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division office conducted an investigation into conditions at New Lisbon under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, or CRIPA. The investigation found that New Lisbon failed to protect its residents from harm or the risk of harm and reported a high number of incidents resulting in resident injury.
Additionally, the investigation found substantiated allegations of staff physical and verbal abuse and neglect against residents. The Department of Justice uncovered violations of residents’ rights under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A report stated that the facility had a systemic lack of penalties for abuse that fostered an atmosphere of abuse and neglect.
After the investigation, the Department of Justice filed a CRIPA complaint against New Jersey and New Lisbon’s operators in 2004. The parties reached a settlement agreement to improve New Lisbon’s standard of care.
- What is the New Lisbon Developmental Center?
- History of Abuse and Legal Controversies at New Lisbon
- Rights and Legal Options of Residents and Families
- How to Report Abuse at New Lisbon Development Center
- Filing a Lawsuit Against State-Run Disability Facilities
- Resources for Survivors and Families
- Speak With an Attorney About New Lisbon Developmental Center Today
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
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Rights and Legal Options of Residents and Families
Those residing at institutions like residential facilities have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. When those rights are violated, survivors and their families have legal rights and options for seeking justice and compensation.
Survivors of institutional abuse or their loved ones can report abusive conduct to the authorities to begin a criminal investigation, but they may also have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent institution that failed to protect them. Through a civil sexual abuse lawsuit, survivors can recover damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, therapy costs, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
How to Report Abuse at New Lisbon Development Center
In 1996, New Jersey eliminated the criminal statute of limitations for most major sexual offenses, so it’s never too late to report abuse to law enforcement. Reporting the abuse will trigger a criminal investigation, and prosecutors will ultimately decide whether to file charges against the abuser.
If the victim of the abuse is a minor, you can report childhood sexual abuse in New Jersey to the state’s Department of Children and Families by calling the child abuse hotline at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE. When a report indicates that a child may be at risk, an investigator from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency will investigate within 24 hours. The DCF also has an Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit that investigates allegations of child abuse in foster homes, residential centers, and other settings.
For residential facilities providing services to people with disabilities, such as the New Lisbon Development Center, family members can also report suspected abuse to the New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabilities hotline at 1-800-832-9173 or online.
We highly recommend speaking with an experienced attorney before contacting the authorities. A knowledgeable attorney can ensure your rights are protected throughout this process. Helping Survivors can connect you with a trusted law firm today.
Filing a Lawsuit Against State-Run Disability Facilities
Aside from pursuing criminal charges against the perpetrator, survivors of abuse at New Lisbon Development Center may also have the option of filing a civil sexual assault lawsuit against the center and the organizations that operate it. However, you must file a claim within New Jersey’s civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases.
Under New Jersey’s now reformed statutes of limitations for sexual abuse, childhood sexual abuse survivors now have until their 55th birthday to file a lawsuit. Adult survivors of sexual assault have seven years from the assault to file suit.
Resources for Survivors and Families
New Jersey has many disability rights activist organizations that assist people with disabilities and their families. Disability Rights New Jersey provides numerous advocacy services and also investigates allegations of abuse and neglect to ensure that people with disabilities are safe wherever they receive services.
Speak With an Attorney About New Lisbon Developmental Center Today
If you or a loved one experienced abuse while residing at the New Lisbon Developmental Center, you’re not alone, and you have rights. At Helping Survivors, our mission is to help heal, educate, and empower people impacted by sexual assault and abuse. We focus on connecting survivors with our law firm partners, who provide free consultations and take their cases with no upfront costs to survivors.
Every survivor’s experience is unique, and what they choose to do afterward is ultimately their choice. To learn more about your rights and options as a survivor or the family member of a survivor, contact Helping Survivors today.
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