Largest NY School Abuse Settlement Awarded to Survivor

A $3.5 Million sexual abuse settlement for one survivor was secured by attorney Leah Costanzo and the team at Steve Boyd, PC.

Steve Boyd, PC, is proud to announce that partner Leah Costanzo represented four of the five plaintiffs who secured $8.4 million in settlements against the Cheektowaga Maryvale Union Free School District. Including the single largest school abuse settlement reported in NY. It marks the resolution of five Child Victims Act lawsuits related to alleged sexual abuse of students by a music teacher in the 1970s.

According to the Buffalo News, the Maryvale School District has reached confidential settlements with five plaintiffs over the last year, as revealed through documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Law. Four of the plaintiffs were represented by the Steve Boyd, PC law firm. $3.5 million was awarded to a 60-year-old man identified in court papers. Three other abuse settlements, totaling $750,000, $675,000, and $575,000, were reached with anonymous plaintiffs who endured similar trauma at the hands of Bratt during the 1970s. They were achieved with the tireless dedication and commitment of Leah Costanzo and a team of legal support specialists who represented these brave survivors.

These settlements are a testament to the far-reaching impact of the Child Victims Act, which enabled survivors of child sex abuse to seek justice even for incidents that occurred decades ago. Attorney Leah Costanzo expressed that

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Since 1999, Steve has been a beacon of hope for survivors, representing them with utmost dedication in the most challenging times of their lives. Catastrophic injuries, accidents, sexual abuse, wrongful death incidents – your battle becomes his. Recognized by peers and clients alike, Steve successfully leverages his years of experience to secure substantial verdicts and settlements for clients. Representing over 3,000 personal injury survivors in New York State and Pennsylvania, his accolades speak for his unwavering resolve.

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Each abuse settlement amount was calculated, considering various factors such as the nature and duration of abuse, the impact on the survivors, and when the district might have been aware of the alleged crimes. The plaintiffs in these cases described a disturbing pattern of grooming and gradual escalation of abuse by the perpetrator, substantiated by their testimonies.

Unsure if you have a case? Let’s have a conversation; it will be completely confidential. We’ll believe you. We’ll walk you through the process so that you understand what this is, what we’ll do, and how your case will go as we stand with you every single step of the way.

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The legal team at Steve Boyd, PC, commends Leah Costanzo’s dedication to securing justice for survivors and hopes that these settlements provide solace to the brave individuals who came forward to seek redress for the injustices they suffered.

Read more about Leah’s cases against the Maryvale, NY, school district in this Buffalo News Article.

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