PFAU COCHRAN VERTETIS AMALA
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PFAU COCHRAN VERTETIS AMALA

Justice for Survivors: $19.5 Million Settlement in Foster Home Abuse Case

May 28, 2025 | Firm News, News, Sexual Abuse

In a landmark settlement that underscores the enduring power of justice—even decades later—a brother and sister who suffered sexual abuse while in foster care in the early 1970s have secured a combined $19.5 million from the State of New Jersey. This resolution not only brings long-awaited recognition of their trauma but also reflects the critical role of persistent legal advocacy in exposing institutional failures.

Background: Abuse in the Foster System

The plaintiffs, identified as A.H. and D.C., were placed by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families into a foster home in Atlantic County in 1969. There, they endured repeated sexual abuse by their foster father, Joseph Salmon, over a span of three years. Now in their 60s, the siblings came forward to seek justice through the courts, represented by Matthew Bonanno of Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo and Vincent Nappo of Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA).
Their case culminated in a $19.5 million settlement—$9.75 million for each survivor—reached through mediation with former Appellate Division Judge Harry G. Carroll on May 23, 2025.

Legal Hurdles and Recent Legislative Changes

This case was not without its challenges. Notably, the plaintiffs had never received psychological treatment since the time of the abuse, which traditionally complicates claims under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. However, a recent amendment to the law (Bill A4684, signed in February 2025) eliminated the requirement for plaintiffs to prove permanent physical injury or incur over $3,600 in medical expenses for pain and suffering claims arising from sexual abuse. This legal reform played a key role in moving the case forward.
The court, presided over by Judge Christopher Rafano in Middlesex County Superior Court, ruled the claims to be within the statute of limitations—paving the way for the historic settlement.

A Broader Pattern of Accountability

This is not the first case involving the same foster home. In 2024, Bonanno and Nappo also secured a $6.75 million settlement on behalf of another survivor, Juanita Taylor, who lived with A.H. and D.C. during the same period. Further strengthening the fight for accountability, the attorneys won a $25 million jury verdict in March 2024 for Niema Jones, another foster child abused in a different New Jersey home.

Bonanno emphasized how the Jones verdict was instrumental in helping the state recognize the severity of the trauma suffered by A.H. and D.C.:
“It just got to the point where both sides needed to see what a jury was going to do. Fortunately for us, the jury saw what was going on and recognized the real, real value of justice in these cases.”

At PCVA, we are committed to holding institutions accountable and empowering survivors of abuse. If you or someone you know is a survivor of abuse within the foster care system or another institution, contact us for a confidential consultation.

Contact us by completing our online form or calling us at (253) 777-0799 and (206) 462-4334.

Since 2004, PCVA attorneys have represented thousands of abuse survivors with cases against major institutions like the Catholic Church, the Church of Latter-Day Saints, the Boy Scouts of America, schools, foster care organizations, and more.

Our Case Results

PCVA has a longstanding history of holding abusive organizations accountable for violating their positions of authority and exploiting individuals. Below, you’ll find links to some of our recent case results.