Florida Contractors Settle Sexual Assault Allegation for $4.45 Million

Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. and The Devereux Foundation, organizations providing foster care and related services for the Florida Department of Children and Families, agreed to a $4.45 million settlement for a minor who suffered sexual abuse. Attorneys for the child, Viñas & DeLuca, PLLC, alleged that the defendants mishandled the minor’s case file during a routine reunification process, resulting in the child being placed in the custody of an adult with a verified history of sexual abuse.

“This is one of the most heartbreaking cases I have ever worked on,” said Attorney Frank Viñas, who represented the minor. “The physical and emotional abuse our client endured was unimaginable and should never have happened.”

The claims included allegations that Devereux case managers and supervisors failed to properly complete a home study and reunification report, overlooked critical background checks, and misrepresented information to the Court. Even after discovering multiple errors in the reunification process, Devereux allegedly failed to correct the mistakes or secure alternative care for the child.

After years of litigation, the parties reached a settlement. In 2018, the presiding judge ruled that the minor’s compensatory damages could be “uncapped” under Florida law if the jury found either organization acted with culpable negligence. The Court later allowed claims for punitive damages against The Devereux Foundation, leading to a resolution before trial.

Viñas & DeLuca is a Florida-based law firm exclusively representing victims of personal injury, sexual abuse, vehicle accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. The firm’s partners have over 30 years of combined experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, securing significant recoveries for their clients.