Foster care sexual abuse lawsuits are civil claims by people abused while in the child welfare system, against foster parents, group homes, placement agencies and, in some cases, the government agency that made the placement. As of October 2026, Los Angeles County is financing $4.8 billion in settlements of more than 11,000 childhood sexual assault claims, including foster care claims.
Updates on Foster Care Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Who was responsible for the placement, supervision, and response to warning signs? This guide explains the questions survivors and families can explore when considering a claim.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Federally funded state foster care plans require fingerprint-based criminal checks of prospective foster parents before approval (42 U.S.C. § 671(a)(20)).
- A felony conviction for child abuse or neglect, a crime against children, or rape or sexual assault bars approval.
- States must also check abuse and neglect registries for adults in the home.
- In May 2025, Los Angeles County Counsel described a $4 billion settlement of about 6,800 claims naming its children's services and probation departments.
Who can be held responsible
Claims can name the foster parent or group home worker, other adults in the home, the agency that licensed or supervised the placement, and the county or state child welfare agency. Key questions are whether required checks were done and whether caseworkers acted on warning signs.
Claims against government agencies
Because public agencies make placements, many claims face immunity defenses, notice rules or damages caps. States differ: California exempts covered childhood claims from its government claim rule, while Maryland caps certain revived claims against public entities at $400,000. Support: Childhelp, (800) 422-4453, or RAINN, 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue the county or state that placed me in foster care?
Sometimes. Agencies can be sued for their own failures, such as an unsafe placement or ignored reports. Federal civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 are another route when officials violated a child's constitutional rights. Results depend on state immunity rules and the facts.
I aged out of foster care years ago. Can I still file?
Possibly. Childhood sexual abuse claims often have deadlines that run well into adulthood, and some states have reopened expired claims, as California's AB 218 did. The answer depends on the state, your age and whether the defendant is a public agency.
Can I get my foster care records?
Child welfare case files are generally confidential, but former foster youth and their attorneys can usually request them through the agency or the court. Placement histories, caseworker notes and incident reports can show what the agency knew and when it knew it.
Sources
A deadline you were told had passed may not have
Many states have lengthened or removed time limits for sexual abuse claims, and some have reopened expired ones. California has no time limit for childhood sexual assault occurring on or after January 1, 2024, and gives adult survivors 10 years. A confidential review checks your dates. California law (CCP 340.1)
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Free Foster Care Abuse Case Review
Tell us what happened and a trained case advisor will review it. You choose whether you want to be contacted.
- 1Share the basicsOnly what you are comfortable sharing.
- 2A case advisor reviews itAgainst the time limits in your state.
- 3You decide what happens nextNo cost and no obligation.
- Confidential by designYour review is private; courts often allow Jane Doe filings
- Built from the law itselfState statutes, court records and agency rules
- No invented payoutsWe cite only settlements on the public record
- Checked Nov 12, 2026Time limits re-read against the statutes
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