Institutional Abuse
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Lawyers Fighting Institutional Abuse

Institutional abuse involves people in authority mistreating those under their care. The mistreatment can involve neglect or physical, mental or sexual abuse.

Institutional abuse cases are marked by an imbalance of power between the abuser and abused. The victims may be young, elderly, physically disabled or mentally ill, have developmental disabilities, or may be part of a disempowered group, such as inmates or Aboriginal children.

Whether they commit neglect or outright abuse and exploitation, abusers recognize that their victims have little recourse against them. Their victims’ sense of helplessness can make the psychological abuse even worse. Class actions aim to hold the abusers accountable and restore a sense of dignity and justice to the victims.

Protecting The Vulnerable

Rochon Genova is proud of our record in helping victims hold their abusers accountable.

Our institutional abuse lawyers consult with experts in the field to see whether compensation and demands for accountability will help the victims. We will pursue class action or group action cases against institutions such as:

  • Nursing homes: Elder abuse is a growing problem, as more of our citizens need nursing care than ever before.
  • Residential schools: For generations, Aboriginal children separated from their families were particularly vulnerable to abuse. Our lawyers have been involved in several important cases in this field.
  • Psychiatric hospitals: Patients in these institutions often have difficulty expressing themselves, being taken seriously or even being believed.
  • Correctional facilities: Crowding, underfunding and lack of training, as well as security considerations, can make physical abuse and sexual abuse from staff and other inmates an ongoing danger. Younger inmates may be particularly vulnerable.

Although the abuse is usually carried out by staff members in these facilities, our lawyers have been instrumental in arguing successfully before the courts that employers should be held responsible as well. This is particularly true when the administration of the institution knew, or should have known, that abuse or neglect was taking place, but did nothing to address it or prevent it.

Contact Rochon | Genova LLP

If you or a family member has been the victim of neglect or abuse at an institution, you deserve protection and compensation for your pain. Call Rochon Genova at 416-548-9874 or send us an email to set up a free consultation. We serve clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and across Canada.

Class Action Lawyers