A New Hampshire man has been awarded $38 million in a landmark lawsuit over abuse at the state's youth detention center. The jury awarded $18 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in enhanced damages to the man, who alleged that the state's negligence allowed him to be repeatedly raped, beaten, and held in solitary confinement as a teenager at the Youth Development Center in Manchester.
The state, however, is misinterpreting the verdict by capping the payment at $475,000 per 'incident.' Jurors were not informed of this cap, and when asked how many incidents they found the man had proven, they wrote 'one.' The jury's decision has sparked controversy, with one juror emailing the man's attorney to explain their reasoning.
The man's attorneys have requested an emergency hearing on the matter, arguing that the jury misunderstood the verdict form. They have brought in a former state Supreme Court Justice to help make their case. The attorneys are urging the court to take corrective action, citing past cases where judges directed juries to reconsider their verdicts.
The lawsuit brought to light a culture of abuse at the Youth Development Center, with allegations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse spanning six decades. The state argued it was not liable for the conduct of rogue employees and questioned the man's credibility. The case has raised questions about the state's handling of civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions related to the abuse.
This verdict marks a significant milestone in the legal battle over abuse at the youth detention center, with more lawsuits pending and ongoing criminal investigations. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how the state addresses allegations of abuse and negligence in its youth detention facilities.
