Sequel Youth and Family Services is the most notable operator of youth residential treatment facilities in the United States, and reportedly operates up to 80% of these establishments.
Though their marketing and public statements espouse an aura of care and reverence for the well-being and progression of the residents they house, their company has been named in lawsuits that allege rampant physical, sexual, and mental/verbal abuse.
Sequel employees have also faced criminal charges for abuse.
If you or a loved one suffered from abuse at a Sequel facility, camp, boarding school, or treatment center, consider contacting TorHoerman Law for legal help.
You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and damages.
Attorneys at TorHoerman Law have first-hand experience with these sorts of facilities and can help you gain justice and compensation.
Sequel Youth and Family Services was founded in the late 1990s by former employees of Youth Services International.
Sequel was established to operate Clarinda Academy in Iowa, but soon expanded to operate dozens of youth residential treatment facilities around the country.
Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, the company currently operates youth behavioral centers in 17 states, totaling 34 establishments.
Sequel often receives government funding to take in youth residents from both the foster care system and juvenile justice system.
Sequel, and similar for-profit companies that run youth behavioral health centers, can be paid up to $800 a day per child they take into their facilities, turning a profit of millions each year.
Allegations of Abuse in Sequel Youth and Family Services Facilities
Reports of abuse in Sequel facilities have come out at an increasing rate over the past 10-15 years.
While much of the abuse in Sequel facilities allegedly went undocumented, many other instances were well reported and even noticed by state officials responsible for ensuring the safety of youth residents.
“In the four years before it closed, the facility had been cited 38 times by Kansas officials for problems including excessive force by staff, poor supervision, under-qualified medical personnel, neglect and bullying by residents, according to state licensing records.”
Allegations of Physical Abuse in Sequel Youth and Family Services Facilities
The most common issue reported at youth residential treatment facilities is physical abuse, either at the hands of employees or other residents.
Physical abuse at these facilities often includes:
Lawsuits Filed Against Sequel Youth and Family Services
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Sequel Youth and Family Services, alleging abuse of all sorts and negligent behavior of staff and management.
Filing Sequel Youth and Family Services Abuse Lawsuit
For more information about potential legal action, you can contact an experienced Sequel abuse lawyer at TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
If you do not feel comfortable discussing your situation with a member of our team, you can use our chatbot below to receive a free, instant online case evaluation.
Both options are completely confidential and completely discrete.
No information will be shared unless you, as a client, first approve.
Plaintiffs in Sequel Abuse Lawsuit
You may qualify to take legal action, to seek compensation for the damages that you incurred from the abuse in a Sequel facility, if you or a loved one suffered:
Injuries
Emotional damages
Other losses as a result of abuse in a Sequel facility
This applies to, both, currently operational facilities and closed facilities.
If you are representing the estate of a loved one who has died as a result of abuse, or as a result of self-harm from abuse, you may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Sequel or at-fault parties.
If you are representing a victim who is under the age of 18 and falls under your legal care, you may qualify to file a lawsuit.
Defendants in Sequel Abuse Lawsuit
Potential defendants in the Sequel Youth and Family Services abuse lawsuit may include one or more of the following parties:
Sequel Youth Facility and Family Services
Independently operated facilities
Staff members who committed abuse
Staff members who held management positions and failed to report abuse
Overseeing government agencies or representatives
Other parties
To best determine potential defendants, consult with an experienced attorney.
TorHoerman Law is a personal injury law firm comprised of individuals who are dedicated to getting justice for those wrongfully injured by the tortious acts of others.
Members of our attorney team have first-hand experience with youth residential treatment facilities and abuse cases.
If you or a loved one was the victim of abuse at one of these facilities, contact TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation with a member of our team or use our chatbot below to receive a free instant online case evaluation today.
All consultations are completely confidential and discrete.
No information shared in consultations is shared unless first approved by our clients.
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to abuse at a Sequel facility, or you represent the estate of a victim, or you are the legal guardian of an underaged victim, you may be able to represent the victim in a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or other damages as a result of abuse suffered while under the protective care of a Sequel youth facility – you may qualify for legal action.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free, legal consultation today.
Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
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TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
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TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
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