Riverhead, NY — In a landmark decision, a Suffolk County jury has awarded $25 million in damages to a former student of the Bay Shore Union Free School District, concluding he was sexually abused by his third-grade teacher. This verdict, stemming from a trial presided over by Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Christopher Modelewski, marks the highest compensation awarded under New York’s Child Victims Act for a Long Island student.
The plaintiff, anonymously identified as P.L., recounted during the trial the extensive emotional and psychological damage he suffered since the abuse occurred during the 1990-91 school year. His testimony illustrated a life marred by anxiety, depression, and relational difficulties, all of which a forensic psychologist attributed to PTSD from the abuse.
Attorney Jeffrey Herman of Herman Law Group, representing P.L., celebrated the verdict, emphasizing its significance not only for his client but for other victims who suffered under similar circumstances. The jury found the school district’s actions particularly egregious, ruling it acted with reckless disregard in its continued employment of the accused teacher, Thomas Bernagozzi, who faced prior allegations of similar misconduct.
In response to the verdict, Bay Shore Superintendent Steven Maloney released a letter expressing the district’s intent to review its legal options, acknowledging the trial’s impact on the local community and reaffirming the district’s commitment to student safety.
Throughout the trial, the court heard unsettling details about P.L.’s experiences around the time he was eight years old, with allegations of inappropriate touching by Bernagozzi during school activities and off-campus outings. Despite these charges, Bernagozzi, who was not found personally liable, has denied all allegations of abuse.
The case spotlighted the broader implications of the Child Victims Act, a state law temporarily allowing individuals to pursue historic claims of child sexual abuse. Notably, the Act has led to numerous settlements across Nassau and Suffolk counties, totaling upwards of $111.2 million in damages, with this case alone marking a significant precedent in terms of compensation amounts.
Prior to this judgment, the Bay Shore Board of Education had allocated $20 million to settle other similar claims under the act involving Bernagozzi, indicating a pervasive issue within the district during his tenure from 1970-2000.
Further compounding the district’s challenges, it now faces 45 Child Victims Act claims, the most lodged against any school district on Long Island. Berangozzi, who is facing separate legal battles including charges brought by the Suffolk County District Attorney for sodomy and possession of child sexual abuse material, remains in custody denying all accusations.
This historic verdict emphasizes the long-term impacts of abuse and the jurisdiction’s intent to hold institutions accountable for failing to protect the vulnerable. As repercussions unfold, the community and its leadership are pressed to reconcile and fortify safeguarding measures for future generations.
The legal battle underlying this case underscores the complex interplay between educational institutions’ responsibilities, the legal frameworks intended to protect children, and the often lifelong consequences for victims of abuse. As such case outcomes ripple across communities, they serve as stark reminders of the systems’ pivotal role in both the oversight and care of young individuals.
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