New Hampshire Jury Awards $38M to Youth Center Abuse Victim

A New Hampshire jury has awarded $38 million to David Meehan, a former resident of the Youth Development Center, who alleged he was physically and sexually abused during the 1990s. This verdict is the largest in a contested personal injury case in New Hampshire's history.

Why this matters: This case sheds light on the systemic failures that allowed child abuse to occur in state-run facilities, highlighting the need for accountability and reforms to prevent such atrocities in the future. The verdict's impact will be felt beyond this individual case, as it sets a precedent for holding institutions responsible for protecting vulnerable populations.

Meehan's lawsuit, which sparked over 1,100 similar lawsuits by former residents of the juvenile detention center, claimed he was raped and beaten hundreds of times and held in solitary confinement for long periods between 1997 and 1998. The jury awarded $18 million in compensatory damages to compensate Meehan for his pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, and $20 million in enhanced compensatory damages because the state engaged in wanton, malicious, and oppressive conduct.

However, the New Hampshire Department of Justice stated that state law will limit the state's payout to $475,000 for Meehan, citing a damages cap. Meehan's attorneys argued that this is "ridiculous" and that the state should take full responsibility for the child abuse that occurred.

Meehan's attorneys, Rus Rilee and David Vicinanzo, praised Meehan as a "hero in New Hampshire history" for having the courage to tell the truth about the state's abuse. Vicinanzo stated, "Today, the jury basically gave the state a cold, hard slap in the face and said, 'Do better.'"

The Youth Development Center, formerly known as the State Industrial School, has a long history ofabuse allegations. The state-run facility, which housed children who had committed crimes or were in need of help, operated from 1858 until 2014. Over the years, multiple reports of abuse and neglect emerged, but significant reforms were slow to materialize.

Theverdictin Meehan's case marks a significant step in holding the state accountable for the mistreatment of children under its care. As the first of hundreds of lawsuits to go to trial, it sets a precedent that could impact future cases and settlement negotiations. The case is expected to lead to further talks, which may result in a lower payout than the initial jury award, but Meehan's bravery in coming forward has shed light on a dark chapter in New Hampshire's history.

Key Takeaways

• A NH jury awards $38M to David Meehan, a former Youth Development Center resident, for physical and sexual abuse in the 1990s.
• The verdict is the largest in a contested personal injury case in NH's history, highlighting systemic failures and need for accountability.
• Meehan's lawsuit sparked over 1,100 similar lawsuits by former residents, claiming abuse and neglect at the state-run facility.
• NH law limits the state's payout to $475,000, but Meehan's attorneys argue the state should take full responsibility for the abuse.
• The verdict sets a precedent for holding institutions accountable for protecting vulnerable populations and may impact future cases and settlements.