Survivors

"Justice Served: Jury Awards $13.6 Million to Survivors of Teacher’s 1980s Abuse in Landmark Case"

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Torrance, California — A jury has awarded $13.6 million to five women who were sexually assaulted by their former high school teacher in the 1980s. The verdict was reached on Monday after a four-week trial, during which jurors found that the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District failed to protect students from the abuse. The jury determined that school administrators were negligent in oversight of Garry Poe, a longtime English teacher and baseball coach at Rolling Hills High School. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Poe groomed students so he could exploit them during … Read more

Justice in Action: Survivors and Families of Lewiston Mass Shootings Launch Federal Lawsuit Against Government Officials

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LEWISTON, Maine — In a significant legal move, one hundred families of victims and survivors impacted by the 2023 mass shootings in Lewiston have come together to file a federal lawsuit. They contend that federal authorities acted with negligence, which contributed to the tragic events of that day. The lawsuit underscores the deep emotional and psychological toll wrought by the shootings, which shook the community and left many grappling with loss and trauma. The families are seeking accountability, asserting that failures at various governmental levels allowed such violence to occur. The plaintiffs argue that the … Read more

New York’s Revised Discovery Laws Aim to Empower Survivors and Streamline Justice System

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Changes to the discovery laws in New York State came into effect this week, following amendments included in the 2026 state budget. These adjustments aim to enhance the judicial process for survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes while ensuring that defendants’ rights are preserved. The updated discovery process seeks to eliminate a system that allowed automatic dismissals for minor technical errors, which disproportionately affected victims of violence. The revisions received bipartisan support from various stakeholders, including district attorneys, advocates for domestic violence victims, religious leaders, and business organizations. Under the new regulations, courts … Read more

Lawsuit Filed by Survivors of Gabriel House Fire Alleges Negligence and Safety Violations, Seeks Justice for Victims

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of three survivors of a devastating fire at the Gabriel House independent and assisted living facility, which resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals and numerous injuries in July. The legal action, initiated by the law firm Morgan & Morgan, names both the facility’s owner, Dennis Etzton, and a fire protection equipment company as defendants. According to the suit, Etzton was aware or should have been aware that several residents were smoking in their rooms, despite the presence of medical oxygen, which poses an increased … Read more