Department of Children Family Services Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Abuse and sexual misconduct against children are a very serious problem that can carry civil and criminal penalties for the people and institutions responsible. Those who have experienced child abuse or noticed signs that it may be occurring should contact a Department of Children Family Services sexual abuse attorney at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois.
Here is a brief overview of some important information related to this topic. Representation and guidance throughout the lawsuit will require a consultation with a Chicago foster care sexual abuse lawyer. These attorneys can be reached at (312) 384-1920.
What is the Department of Children Family Services (DCFS) in Illinois?
It is a state agency responsible for safeguarding the well-being of children throughout the country and families within Illinois and the Chicago area and other jurisdictions like Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area, Ohio and the Cleveland area, Texas and the Houston area. The DCFS offers a variety of support services to families in need, aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect and promoting family stability and well-being. These services may include things like counseling, parenting education, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and financial support. However, the DCFS can also face lawsuits for various reasons related to child abuse. At Dinizulu Law Group, a Chicago DCFS Sexual Abuse Lawyer can provide representation against the DCFS.
When do children end up in foster care in Illinois?
As a general rule, foster care is provided for children who do not have a biological relative or parent who is able and suitable to care for them for various reasons. In some cases, parents lose custody of their own biological children due to abuse or neglect. A Chicago foster care sexual abuse lawyer can represent any child who has been harmed while in a foster care system.
Concerns about their safety and well-being within their birth families are often reasons why judges will award custody to the foster care system rather than allowing them to remain with their parents. Other reasons may include parental substance abuse, such addiction to drugs or alcohol, which can create an unsafe environment for children. If a parent’s substance abuse interferes with their ability to care for their children or puts the children at risk of harm, child welfare authorities may intervene and recommend a placement in foster care. Domestic violence between parents or other family members is another common reason why the government may be reluctant to allow a child to stay in such a dangerous environment, preferring foster care instead. A Chicago Department of Children Family Services sexual abuse lawyer can provide guidance to any parent who has issues or concerns about their child’s foster care situation.
How does abuse happen in foster care?
Foster care services are known for attempting to provide housing and resources to children in vulnerable situations where a parent is not available due to lost custody or other reasons. But various types of abuse can and do happen in these settings. This is because there are several levels of employees that interact with children in these facilities and it is possible that any one of them can be responsible for abuse. When there are allegations of abuse, there are often extensive investigations by law enforcement and other agencies to determine if the allegations will be sustained.
A Chicago DCFS sexual abuse attorney can represent child and their families against foster care facilities or government agencies and employees that were responsible for the abuse or negligence for allowing it to happen.
Signs that child abuse has happened
Parents or others who are concerned about the welfare of a child should be aware of the signs that abuse has happened. Even if a child does not come forward to report sexual abuse, there may be indicators in their appearance and behavior. Some signs that a child has experienced abuse can include extreme mood changes, an unkempt appearance or bad hygiene, physical markings like bruises or cuts, and nightmares or sleep disturbances. Victims of abuse may be fearful of retaliation, so they often do not report these problems on their own. They may also attempt to engage in self-harm or develop an eating disorder after an episode of abuse. A DCFS sexual abuse attorney in Chicago can meet with families who have noticed these signs of abuse and recommend whether further action is necessary.
What are the costs associated with sexual abuse?
There are very real costs and related problems that follow victims of sexual abuse. These include both monetary costs associated with medical and psychological treatment, as well as emotional damage and trauma that can follow victims for extended periods of time after an incident. It is possible that these costs add up to large amounts over time. A Chicago foster care sexual abuse and wrongful death attorney can help victims and their families recover these kinds of costs through a lawsuit. The Dinizulu Law Group focuses their practice on these cases and lawsuits.
What happens to those who have abused a child?
Perpetrators of abuse can face civil lawsuits from a Chicago foster care sexual abuse lawyer. They can also be charged criminally by local law enforcement depending on the specifics of the evidence available against them. As in other jurisdictions, cases of abuse involving children are taken very seriously, and the penalties and fines against those who are convicted or sued can be severe.
Other means of deterrence such as registries of offenders are created to ensure those who have been convicted are not allowed to work with children again or be present in areas where abuse is likely to happen. It is also important to keep in mind that civil lawsuits against these offenders are meant to provide victims and their families with monetary compensation for their losses, while only the government can bring cases that carry criminal penalties such as incarceration.
Can the Department of Children Family Services be sued for negligence or allowing child abuse to happen?
In Illinois, government agencies can be sued under certain circumstances, but the process is subject to specific legal requirements and requires assistance from Chicago Department of Children Family Services sexual abuse lawyers. Government workers at the Department of Children Family Services are also subject to civil rights laws, and they may be sued if their acts rise to the level of violating the civil rights of a minor under their care. A foster care sexual abuse and wrongful death attorney who practices in this area are the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois can also provide other information about lawsuits against the government versus other defendants.
What happens if a child dies while in foster care?
A foster care sexual abuse and wrongful death attorney in Chicago will sometimes see cases where a child has lost their life while in their foster care system. This is obviously a very serious situation that can require both legal advice and extensive investigations to determine what happened. As with other cases of abuse and neglect, there can be liability for the facility or individuals that allowed the death to happen. This is true even if a government agency or employee is liable for the child’s death.
Investigations are usually conducted by local or state police with cooperation from the Department of Children and Family Services. Police will attempt to find out if the death was a legitimate accident, or if there was some kind of misconduct, negligence, or intentional act that resulted in the child’s death. The police have the authority to make arrests and bring criminal charges if there is evidence of any crime. Medical examinations from a local coroner can also help determine an exact cause of death and assist local law enforcement through findings such as a toxicology report or evidence or any physical trauma. The Department of Children and Family Services can also take action against employees who are found to have played a part in the child’s death. The family of the victim can work with their foster care sexual abuse and wrongful death lawyer in Chicago to bring a lawsuit against the relevant workers. There is a special type of civil lawsuit related to a wrongful death that can be brought against these defendants.
How is compensation determined in these kinds of sexual abuse lawsuits?
In civil cases, the amount of compensation available depends on the severity of harm to the plaintiff and the actions of the defendant. Specific things like costs of medical treatment and therapy may be used to help prove damages. Non-economic damages for the victim’s pain and suffering are also available in many civil lawsuits, although these can vary greatly based on the case and the effects on the victim’s quality of life since the abuse happened. As a general rule, plaintiffs should expect larger amounts of compensation in cases where the victim sustained serious injuries and trauma or fatal injuries. There may also be punitive damages available to punish a defendant for illegal, reckless or malicious behavior.
Courts may also award monetary damages or issue criminal sentences as a form of deterring future similar conduct. However, each lawsuit is different and it is best to speak with a DCFS sexual abuse and wrongful death attorney in Chicago by calling (312) 384-1920 to receive an estimate of the specific value of any case.
Learning more about lawsuits for sexual abuse and child abuse
The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Is an experienced and trusted law firm located in Chicago, IL. They can be contacted at (312) 384-1920 to answer any further questions about child abuse and sexual abuse lawsuits.
