When you’ve been harmed by someone else’s actions, you shouldn’t have to face the aftermath alone. We understand that no amount of money can undo what happened to you, but fair compensation can help you rebuild, recover, and move forward with dignity.
Sexually Assaulted While in a Juvenile Detention Center in Florida
At the time of writing, the state of Florida operates 21 juvenile detention facilities.
From the Leon Regional Juvenile Detention Center in the state’s North region to the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center in the South, operators of each of these facilities are tasked not only with containing juvenile detainees—they must protect the detainees, too.
While the general public might make light of the risk of suffering sexual assault in detention facilities, this reality is no laughing matter. Victims of both genders often suffer severe, lifelong psychological and emotional hardship—which can mushroom into physical and financial challenges—as symptoms of the assault.
Just because you were on the wrong side of the criminal justice system when the assault happened does not mean you are exempt from justice. Call Buckman, Buckman & Castellano today at (866) 595-8086 to complete a free consultation. We will explain how we have long fought for the overlooked and unheard, and how we will demand financial accountability from those responsible for your assault.
Call Buckman, Buckman & Castellano today at (941) 244-9501 to complete a free, dignified consultation.
Assaulted in a Florida Juvenile Detention Center? Your Next Call Should Be to Buckman, Buckman & Castellano
Non-consensual sexual contact is traumatic in every case, but each victim suffers in their own way. The deeply personal nature of your pain is one reason why you need a law firm you can trust—a law firm that leads with both compassion and competence—fighting for the justice you deserve.
Clients of both genders come to Buckman, Buckman & Castellano for help after assaults in the juvenile justice system because:
- We get justice, no matter how formidable the opponent may be: There is a chance that we find the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ) created conditions that led directly to you being assaulted. That means that we may be trying a case against the state government—a formidable legal opponent if there ever was one. Trust that the Buckman, Buckman & Castellano team will never waver, question the merits of your case, or cower from a difficult circumstance.
- Our attorneys don’t judge or make assumptions— we lead with compassion: Those who have been involved with the juvenile justice system are too often stigmatized, cast aside, and regarded with wariness. You get a fair shake with us, as we believe that every person deserves the benefit of a clean slate. In fact, as our client, we will treat you as we would treat a blood relative— you are family at Buckman, Buckman & Castellano.
- Our casework surpasses the most intense scrutiny: We are passionate about fighting for victims of negligence, and it shows in the quality of our work. We fully recognize the severity of what you have been through, and we intend to enact the justice you deserve through compelling legal work.
You might also hire your Florida juvenile sexual assault attorney from our firm because our record of results speaks volumes. We have recovered many six- and seven-figure settlements and judgments for clients, including a $3.7 million recovery in a case involving sexual assault. At Buckman, Buckman & Castellano, we bring the buck to liable parties’ doorsteps and insist that they do right by our client.
We Have Seen Many Failures in Juvenile Lockup That Endanger the Residents
Florida’s juvenile detention centers are unforgiving, often chaotic environments. Yet, those who operate these facilities know precisely what they sign up for, and that includes a duty to protect all residents from bodily harm.
Failures that lead to detainees being sexually assaulted can happen at all levels of the chain of command, and may include:
- Hiring unfit employees: In the context of a juvenile detention facility, an “unfit” employee may lack the physical ability to separate inmates, care little (if at all) about resident safety, have character concerns, sleep on the job, or be otherwise unable or unprepared to prevent an assault.
- Understaffing (or senseless deployment of employees): Budget limitations are one of several reasons why a juvenile detention center might be understaffed. Whenever there is insufficient staff on duty, more detainees go unmonitored by human personnel—and the greater the likelihood an attack will happen.
- Failure to utilize technology in monitoring detainees: Cameras and other technology are critical in monitoring detainees and preventing prolonged assaults. If the detention center in which you were assaulted lacked adequate technology to keep an eye on residents, this was likely a failure of leadership.
- Not taking adequate punitive action towards dangerous detainees: When detainees break rules, and especially when they engage in violence toward others, those offenders should be appropriately sanctioned to discourage such behavior. They may even need to be physically isolated so they cannot victimize others.
Ignoring a resident’s complaints about another detainee’s harassment or concerns about their safety is another common failure that can increase the likelihood of an assault. Your attorney from our firm will thoroughly investigate your circumstances, identifying all failures that led to your being assaulted.
Damages That Often Occur When Juveniles Are Attacked
Yes, the Florida FDJJ may be financially liable for all harm resulting from the assault you or a loved one suffered. The perpetrator of the attack may also be liable, as may any other third parties who allowed or contributed to the assault.
Some of the damages you may receive compensation for include:
- Physical pain
- Psychological and emotional distress resulting from the assault
- Medical expenses
- Mental health treatment costs
- Any other financial or non-economic harm we can link to the assault
Only survivors can fully comprehend the damage done by a sexual assault. That said, the attorneys at Buckman, Buckman & Castellano take extraordinary measures to understand what our clients have been through, starting by listening patiently and compassionately to what they have to say.
Call Buckman, Buckman & Castellano Today for Your Free, No-Risk Consultation About Retaining an Attorney — and Getting Justice for Your Trauma
If you suffered any kind of assault in a Florida juvenile detention center, someone failed. It’s that simple. The perpetrator obviously did wrong, but the FDJJ also failed to protect you from someone with malicious intent.
We want to get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call Buckman, Buckman & Castellano today at (941) 244-9501 to complete your free, no-pressure consultation about working with a Florida juvenile sexual assault attorney.
Contact us for a free consultation
We work with clients in Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton, North Port, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and throughout Florida. Get in touch with us today and tell us what happened to you. We will review your case for free and with no further obligation from you.
Buckman, Buckman & Castellano, P.A.
