Shareholder
Partner
Attorney
Learn About Our Mass Tort Practice
Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa is here to help
Meet Our Legal Team
Free Case Consultation
At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we are committed to empowering survivors of abuse at troubled teen facilities, therapeutic schools, and boarding schools by pursuing justice through robust legal advocacy. Our Florida troubled teen facility abuse lawyers focus on addressing systemic abuse through mass tort litigation, an essential tool for holding these institutions accountable while empowering survivors to seek the justice and compensation they deserve.
Families place immense trust in residential treatment centers and therapeutic schools, believing these institutions will provide the structure, safety, and support their children need. Tragically, many of these facilities betray that trust, enabling patterns of abuse that leave survivors deeply scarred. Abuse can range from physical and sexual misconduct to emotional and psychological trauma, often exacerbated by systemic failures and a lack of oversight.
At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we are unwavering in our mission to amplify survivors’ voices and demand accountability. Our attorneys have extensive experience in representing survivors and pursuing justice, both on an individual level and through mass torts that address widespread institutional abuse.
Mass torts provide a powerful avenue for survivors to join together in seeking justice against institutions that perpetuate or allow systemic abuse. Unlike class action lawsuits, mass torts allow survivors to retain individual claims while consolidating legal efforts to expose and challenge institutional negligence.
Our approach to mass tort litigation includes identifying patterns of systemic misconduct within institutions, building comprehensive cases with survivor testimonies and expert reports, and maximizing compensation tailored to the physical, emotional, and psychological harm each survivor endured. Mass torts not only empower individual survivors but also serve to bring systemic issues to light, forcing institutions to implement meaningful reforms.
Institutional abuse often arises in environments where power dynamics are heavily skewed, leaving survivors vulnerable. Abuse can include sexual misconduct, physical harm, psychological manipulation, and systemic neglect. Our attorneys specialize in representing survivors in these cases, ensuring that institutions and perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Survivors deserve justice for the life-altering harm they have endured, and our team is committed to making sure their voices are heard.
Boarding schools and residential treatment centers often operate with minimal oversight, creating environments where abuse can thrive. Many of these institutions prioritize profits over student welfare, leading to regulatory violations, inadequate staffing, and suppressed reporting of abuse. At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover these violations, exposing the systemic issues that allow abuse to persist. By holding these facilities accountable, we aim to ensure justice for survivors and protect future residents from harm.
Legal action is only one part of the healing journey for survivors. Our Florida troubled teen facility abuse lawyers recognizes the emotional toll of abuse and litigation and provides compassionate counsel to survivors throughout the process. Beyond legal representation, we connect survivors with mental health and advocacy resources, ensuring they have the support they need to recover. From the initial consultation to case resolution, we stand with our clients every step of the way.
The abuse endured at troubled teen facilities often leaves survivors with long-term physical, emotional, and psychological injuries. These injuries profoundly affect survivors’ quality of life, relationships, and ability to trust authority figures.
Physical Injuries Physical injuries from abuse include broken bones, bruises, and scars resulting from excessive discipline or violence. Survivors may also suffer from malnutrition or health complications caused by neglect or inadequate medical care.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries Emotional and psychological injuries are among the most devastating outcomes of abuse. Survivors often face post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. These conditions can impair survivors’ ability to maintain relationships, form a sense of safety, or trust authority figures.
Sexual Trauma Sexual trauma has both immediate and long-term effects. Survivors may suffer physical harm, emotional devastation, and enduring shame or stigma. The psychological impact often requires extensive therapy and support to overcome.
Educational and Developmental Delays Abuse at therapeutic schools or boarding facilities often disrupts a child’s education. Survivors may experience developmental delays, loss of educational opportunities, and difficulty reintegrating into traditional educational or social environments.
At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we work with medical and mental health professionals to fully document the injuries sustained by survivors, ensuring their impact is recognized and appropriately addressed in legal proceedings.
Mass tort litigation is uniquely suited to address the systemic nature of abuse in teen facilities. It allows survivors to join forces against powerful institutions while preserving their individual claims.
Strength in Numbers Mass torts empower survivors by creating a unified front against institutions. By consolidating resources and evidence, survivors strengthen their collective case while maintaining their individual claims.
Personalized Justice Unlike class actions, where settlements are evenly distributed, mass torts enable each survivor to present their unique experiences and seek compensation tailored to their injuries.
Exposing Systemic Issues Mass torts uncover patterns of abuse and institutional failures, creating accountability and demanding change from the facilities that allowed the misconduct.
Driving Institutional Reform Successful mass torts not only deliver justice for survivors but also compel institutions to implement reforms, ensuring a safer environment for future residents.
At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we guide survivors through every stage of the legal process, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
Confidential Consultation We provide a safe, supportive environment for survivors to share their experiences. This initial step is crucial for understanding the case and beginning the healing process.
Thorough Investigation Our attorneys conduct detailed investigations, gathering survivor accounts, institutional records, and expert reports to build a compelling case.
Expert Collaboration We work with medical and psychological experts to quantify the impact of abuse, ensuring survivors receive fair compensation for the harm they endured.
Strategic Litigation Our experienced trial lawyers craft a powerful case against the responsible parties, pursuing maximum compensation and justice for survivors.
Ongoing Support Beyond legal representation, we connect survivors with resources, including therapy and advocacy groups, to support their recovery and well-being.
What is a mass tort, and how does it work in abuse cases? A mass tort is a type of legal action where multiple individuals file separate claims against the same defendant, such as a boarding school or teen treatment facility. In mass tort cases, evidence and resources are shared among plaintiffs, but each person’s claim is treated individually, allowing for personalized compensation based on the extent of their injuries and damages.
How is a mass tort different from a class action lawsuit? In a class action lawsuit, all plaintiffs are grouped into a single case, and settlements are typically divided evenly among participants. In contrast, a mass tort treats each claim separately, giving survivors the opportunity to seek compensation tailored to their unique experiences while still benefiting from the collective strength of shared evidence and legal strategies.
Who can join a mass tort lawsuit? Anyone who has suffered abuse or harm at the same institution or program can potentially join a mass tort lawsuit. This includes survivors of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, as well as those harmed by systemic neglect or misconduct. Our attorneys can evaluate your case to determine eligibility.
How long do I have to file a claim for abuse? The timeframe for filing a claim, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state and the specific circumstances of the abuse. In some cases, extensions may apply if survivors were minors when the abuse occurred or if new evidence comes to light. Contact us promptly to ensure your rights are preserved.
Can I still pursue a claim if the abuse happened years ago? In many cases, survivors can pursue claims even if the abuse occurred years ago, especially if they were minors at the time. Some jurisdictions have extended or eliminated statutes of limitations for child abuse cases, and our team can help you determine if your case is still eligible.
If you or someone you love has experienced abuse at a troubled teen facility, boarding school, or therapeutic residential center, you don’t have to face this alone. The attorneys at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa are here to provide the guidance, support, and legal expertise you need to seek justice.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Together, our Florida troubled teen facility abuse lawyers can expose systemic abuse, seek justice, and create meaningful change.
Get A Free Case Consultation
"*" indicates required fields
Fred Cunningham and Matthew Christ of Rafferty Domnick Cunningham amp Yaffa are representing the labs in a federal case in
A Florida family has filed a lawsuit against Orlando Health Winnie Palm Hospital for Women amp Babies alleging that their
The parents of Jahxy Peets a baby girl who was born prematurely and died months later are suing an Orlando
