Category: Sexual Abuse

Sharon Iskra Argues Case Before Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

On April 17, BG partner and Institutional Abuse and Neglect team leader Sharon Iskra argued before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in support of a $3.5 million jury verdict rendered against a residential care facility on behalf of two developmentally disabled individuals who had been abused as children.

As April is Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Sharon was proud to argue on behalf of her clients before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

To learn more about Sharon and her work, visit this link.

To learn more about the work of Bailey Glasser on behalf of the survivors of sexual abuse, visit here.

Partner D. Todd Mathews Named a “Super Lawyer”

BG partner Todd Mathews has been named a 2024 Super Lawyer. Todd dedicates his career to fighting for people injured by defective products like asbestos, hernia mesh, 3M’s combat earplugs, as well as on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse. We thank everyone who took part in Todd receiving this recognition. For more about Todd and his work, please visit here.

In addition to this accolade, Todd is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, an invitation-only organization composed of premier trial lawyers from each state or region, and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in America. In 2024 he was also recognized by Best Lawyers in America in three categories: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Law – Plaintiffs.

Partner Todd Mathews on the Mass Tort News Legalcast

In the most recent episode of the Mass Tort News Legalcast, Bailey Glasser partner Todd Mathews discusses how the firm is helping survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of the State of Maryland acting through the Department of Juvenile Services and its predecessors find closure, healing, and accountability.

The discussion also touches on other states’ approaches to addressing child abuse cases, with some implementing limited windows of opportunity for survivors to file claims. Todd points out the challenges of addressing these cases, especially the need for a sensitive and compassionate approach, avoiding the re-traumatization of survivors.

Switching gears, the conversation touches on recent developments in the legal field, particularly in relation to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its potential third bankruptcy filing. Todd expresses his concern and disapproval of such actions, which he views as an abuse of the bankruptcy process to delay compensating victims further. He also addresses the viability of the Camp Lejeune docket, highlighting how recent issues with case attrition and unethical practices in the legal field can impact its resolution.

Bailey & Glasser, LLP Fighting for Maryland Sex Abuse Survivors

This has been a significant week for survivors of sex abuse in the state of Maryland. On Sunday, the new Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 went into effect, eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. On the same day, Bailey Glasser and a consortium of 3 other law firms filed six lawsuits against the State of Maryland on behalf of over 50 survivors abused while in Maryland’s juvenile justice system.

We are grateful for the all the public interest in the fight for justice for these survivors. If you’d like to learn more about these lawsuits or our team of attorneys, you can read our press release and other media coverage here.

The Bailey Glasser team includes Sharon F. Iskra leader of the Institutional Abuse & Neglect team, founding partner Brian A. Glasser, Mass Torts Practice Group leader David L. Selby II, and mass torts partner D. Todd Mathews. The other law firms representing the survivors include Walsh Law PLLC; Rhine Law Firm; and DiCello Levitt.

#survivorsrights #ChildVictimsAct #BaileyGlasser

BG Lawsuits Covered in Washington Post Article: “Lawsuits Allege Dozens Were Sexually Abused in Md. Juvenile Facilities”

BREAKING NEWS: “It’s a tragedy, but it’s also a tremendous opportunity to do the right thing,” said Sharon Iskra, Bailey & Glasser, LLP’s Institutional Abuse & Neglect practice team leader in the Washington Post article, “Lawsuits allege dozens were sexually abused in Md. Juvenile facilities.”

The article discusses the Maryland Child Victims Act, which took effect Sunday and eliminates the civil statute of limitations, and spotlights the six lawsuits filed on the same day by Bailey Glasser along with three other law firms on behalf of hundreds who survived systemic abuse as children while in the Maryland juvenile justice system.

Sharon, one of the lead attorneys for the survivors, discusses the need for a trauma-focused approach to her legal representation, saying, “On every level, it’s our effort, it’s our hope, our desire — and we’re doing everything we can — to make this a trauma-informed intake process.”

Other members of the Bailey Glasser team include firm founder Brian Glasser, partner Mass Tort Practice Group leader David Selby II, and mass tort partner D. Todd Mathews. Co-counsel include Alexandra Walsh and Kim Channick of Walsh Law; Joel Rhine and Martin Ramey of Rhine Law Firm; and Nick Horattas of DiCello Levitt.

Read the full article here.

#survivorsrights #sexualabuse #childvictimsact #baileyglasser

Lawsuit Filed Against State of Maryland on Behalf of Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Survivors

Bailey Glasser and three other law firms filed suit against the State of Maryland yesterday on behalf of over 50 male and female survivors of horrendous sexual abuse suffered while minors in the custody of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

The Bailey Glasser team is comprised of partner and Institutional Abuse & Neglect team leader Sharon Iskra, founding partner Brian Glasser, Mass Torts Practice Group Leader David Selby II, mass torts partner Todd Mathews, and Cary Joshi. Our co-counsel firms include Walsh Law PLLC; Rhine Law Firm; and DiCello Levitt.

As alleged in our lawsuits, previous administrations of the State of Maryland systemically allowed the rape, sodomy, threats, retaliation, and egregious abuse (physical, mental, and emotional) of hundreds of youths in its juvenile detention centers over decades. The State failed to monitor and, more importantly, failed to fix its system despite numerous external investigations documenting serious abuse dating back to 1967, prior class action lawsuits alleging civil rights and Constitutional violations, and explicit complaints from the children themselves.

We look forward to working with the current Maryland state administration in pursuing justice and closure for these survivors and an improved system that protects today’s children.

For more, please visit here.

#justice #baileyglasser #protectchildren #survivorsrights

CBS News Covers Maryland Sexual Abuse Case Filings

On October 2, 2023, CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News profiled the filing of six lawsuits against the State of Maryland on behalf of over 50 survivors under the new Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 which, as of October 1, 2023, eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. This new law allows adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims that, under previous laws, would have been time-barred. Maryland now joins a trend of states reforming their laws so that survivors may seek justice for sexual abuse that occurred when they were under 18, regardless of their age now.

The law firms representing the survivors include Bailey & Glasser, LLP; Walsh Law PLLC; Rhine Law Firm; and DiCello Levitt. Bailey Glasser lawyers in this matter are founding partner Brian A. Glasser; Sharon Iskra, practice team leader of the firm’s Institutional Abuse & Neglect practice; David Selby, Mass Torts Practice Group Leader; Todd Mathews, mass tort partner; and Cary Joshi, Commercial & Environmental Practice Group Leader.

As alleged in our lawsuits, for decades, previous administrations of the State of Maryland systemically allowed the rape, sodomy, molestation, torture, and egregious abuse and neglect (physical, mental, and emotional) of hundreds of children in its juvenile detention centers. These administrations were negligent in hiring and retaining not only direct staff who harmed children, but third-party providers whose personnel had felony convictions and histories of using excessive force against juveniles. The State failed to monitor, and more importantly, failed to fix its system despite numerous external investigations documenting serious abuse dating back to 1967, prior class action lawsuits alleging civil rights and Constitutional violations, and explicit complaints from the children themselves. The Complaints ascribes responsibility for the dereliction of duties to the top personnel of the system who could have prevented these harms, but instead inexplicably turned a blind eye to the horrific abuse its own staff was inflicting upon the defenseless children who had been entrusted to its care for help and reform.

To watch the report, please visit here.

Bailey Glasser Maryland Sexual Abuse Cases Featured in People Magazine

People profiles our groundbreaking case against the State of Maryland in an article entitled: “‘No One Is Ever Going to Believe You’: New Complaints Allege Rampant Sex Abuse at 6 Md. Juvenile Facilities.” Interviewed for this article is Sharon Iskra, BG partner and Institutional Abuse & Neglect Team Leader whose mission is to be a voice for the vulnerable. “‘We can’t change the past, but we can improve the future, and I look forward to working with Maryland so that happens,’ Iskra says.”

The team in this matter also includes founding partner Brian A. Glasser, Mass Tort Practice Group Leader David Selby, and mass tort partner Todd Mathews.

To read the read the People article, click here.

To learn more our cases against Maryland, please visit here.

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