$60 Million Jury Verdict in Devereux Sexual Assault Case

A jury awarded $60 million to a 15-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted while at a Devereux facility in Georgia. The landmark verdict sends a strong message about accountability for institutional abuse.

The Verdict

A jury found Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health liable for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl at one of their Georgia facilities and awarded $60 million in damages.

The verdict is one of the largest individual awards in a juvenile facility abuse case and demonstrates:

• Juries taking institutional abuse seriously
• Willingness to impose substantial damages
• Accountability for organizational failures

The Case

The Victim:

• A 15-year-old girl
• Placed at Devereux for behavioral health treatment
• Sexually assaulted while in their care

The Perpetrator:

• A staff member at the Devereux facility
• Had access to and authority over the victim
• Abused the trust placed in them by the organization

Institutional Failures:

• Devereux failed to protect the child
• Inadequate supervision allowed the assault
• The organization was found liable for its failures

About Devereux

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is one of the largest behavioral health nonprofits in the United States:

• Operates in 13 states
• Serves children with disabilities and behavioral challenges
• Nearly 100 years of operation
• Thousands of children pass through their facilities

Why This Verdict Matters

For Survivors:

• Validates that institutions can be held accountable
• Demonstrates potential for significant compensation
• Encourages other survivors to come forward

For Devereux:

• $60 million is a substantial financial consequence
• Creates pressure for systemic changes
• May prompt insurance and oversight issues

For Other Institutions:

• Warning that failures have consequences
• Incentive to improve child protection
• Precedent for similar cases

Pattern of Problems at Devereux

This verdict is not an isolated incident. Devereux has faced:

• Multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse
• Class action litigation
• Allegations across multiple states
• Pattern of institutional failures

The $60 million verdict suggests juries are losing patience with organizations that fail to protect vulnerable children.

Impact of Sexual Assault on Youth

Sexual assault in residential facilities causes devastating harm:

• Severe psychological trauma
• PTSD and anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Difficulty trusting caregivers
• Relationship challenges
• Long-term mental health needs

The $60 million award reflects the severity of this harm.

What Survivors Can Recover

Civil lawsuits against institutions like Devereux can provide:

• Compensation for past and future therapy
• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Punitive damages in egregious cases

Taking Action

If you or a loved one was abused at a Devereux facility:

• This verdict shows what accountability looks like
• Legal consultations are typically free
• Multiple lawsuits are pending
• Your claim may have significant value

The $60 million verdict demonstrates that courts will hold institutions accountable when they fail to protect children.