San Jose Foster Home Abuse Lawyer

There are more than 50,000 children in the California foster care system, and thousands of them suffer varying degrees of harm each year as a result of mistreatment. Data from the California Child Welfare Indicators Project shows that rates of maltreatment in foster care have not changed significantly in the last decade, and slightly older children aged 11 to 17 tend to be at higher risk for abuse and other forms of maltreatment. It is important to seek legal advice about any kind of harms arising out of a foster home or the foster care system. Contact our experienced San Jose foster home abuse lawyer today.

Understanding Foster Home Abuse in San Jose

What is foster home abuse in San Jose? Foster home abuse is a broad term that refers to a wide range of forms of maltreatment that children under the age of 18 can experience in foster care. Kids routinely experience sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological and emotional abuse, and neglect. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) identifies the following forms of maltreatment that children experience in foster care, and that are investigated on a regular basis by caseworkers:

• Emotional abuse;
• Medical neglect;
• Neglect generally;
• Physical abuse;
• Sexual abuse; and
• Sex trafficking.

Much too often, the California Department of Social Services and Child Protective Services (CPS) fail to quickly investigate concerns of abuse or to properly respond to alleged incidents of abuse. As child safety advocates point out, CPS frequently contends with understaffing issues given investigative needs, and investigations are conducted too slowly. In addition, in cases that are investigated properly, workers do not follow up in a timely manner or at all. Depending on the details of the case, it may be possible to hold abusers, as well as negligent investigators, liable for harm.

Signs of Foster Home Abuse Injuries in San Jose

Signs of foster home abuse can vary based on the type of abuse. Generally speaking, however, any of the following should raise alarms about the possibility of abuse or neglect among kids in California foster homes:

• Unexplained bruises, lacerations, or burns;
• Behavioral problems in school;
• Depression or anxiety;
• Aggressive behavior, including sexual aggression;
• Personal hygiene or grooming issues;
• Fear around foster parents specifically or certain adults;
• Unexplained changes in behavior; and/or
• Child’s report of abuse or neglect.

Given that different types of abuse can result in varied signs and symptoms, it is important to pay attention to any changes in a child’s behavior or appearance that could indicate abuse or neglect.

Contact the San Jose Foster Home Abuse Lawyers at Venardi Zurada LLP Today

Foster home abuse should never happen, yet children in California experience various forms of abuse in foster homes much more often than many people expect. It is possible to hold foster parents and sometimes even placement services accountable for injuries that have arisen out of physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Do not hesitate to get in touch with Venardi Zurada LLP to discuss options for filing a foster home abuse claim. Contact our experienced San Jose foster home abuse lawyer today to discuss your case in detail.

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