April 30th, 2025 – Bergman Oslund Udo Little, (BOUL), a Pacific Northwest law firm with a focus on catastrophic injury cases, has filed a lawsuit against King County claiming the county failed to protect juvenile defendants from sexual abuse over several decades, spanning from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Thirty-six former youth detainees have come forward with claims that they experienced sexual abuse while held at King County’s detention centers. The allegations involve abuse by individuals in positions of power, including detention guards, school employees, and a judge who allegedly used his position to isolate and exploit vulnerable youth.
The lawsuit alleges that King County failed to protect youth in its care, citing long-standing institutional negligence such as failing to hire competent staff, ignoring reports of abuse, and overlooking signs of abuse. Some survivors report being taken by county staff to the judge’s chambers, where they say the abuse occurred under the pretense of mentorship or kindness. Others state that detention staff assaulted them while in custody, with some experiencing continued harassment even after release.
“The county’s actions and failures go beyond simple negligence,” says Ruby Aliment, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. “Our clients experienced a profound betrayal of basic human decency from the very institution expected to protect them from harm.”
Survivors have described long-term effects such as post-traumatic stress, challenges in building trust, and ongoing struggles with emotional regulation and substance use.
This lawsuit is the culmination of years of King County seeking to evade accountability for its failures to protect vulnerable youth in its care. Los Angeles County in California recently reached a settlement for a similar filing, which gives hope that justice may yet be found. Our clients hoped to avoid going to court and although King County has not yet responded to the filing, the plaintiffs hope this legal action will help protect youth in detention facilities across Washington and support survivors in their pursuit of justice, accountability, and healing.
About BOUL
The Seattle-based law firm Bergman Oslund Udo Little (BOUL) has long been committed to advocating for justice on behalf of individuals and families seeking accountability and support. Serving clients primarily in Washington and Oregon, BOUL has consistently fought for the rights of ordinary people, securing millions of dollars in compensation. Notable recent victories include a $13 million jury verdict for a woman in Kent, WA, who suffered harm due to medical malpractice in cosmetic surgery; $30 million for an Oregon man whose cancer was caused by asbestos exposure; $11.2 million for a Tacoma resident with mesothelioma; and $10 million for a Seattle case involving “take-home” asbestos exposure from shipyards.
In recent months, BOUL has turned its focus to addressing systemic abuses in the Washington Juvenile Justice system, filing multiple lawsuits that expose the widespread sexual abuse of minors in detention facilities across the state.
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