Towson, MD — May 2025
In the wake of a surge in sexual abuse claims involving Maryland’s juvenile detention system, the state legislature has enacted amendments to the Maryland Child Victims Act (MCVA) that will significantly reduce financial recovery for victims—unless they file by May 31, 2025.
These changes, driven by an overwhelming wave of lawsuits from survivors of state-run youth facilities, have far-reaching implications for those still considering legal action. At Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, we believe it is imperative that survivors—and their families—understand these changes and act before their rights are further limited.
Why the Law Changed
When Maryland passed the Child Victims Act in 2023, it was in response to decades of abuse uncovered within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The law removed the statute of limitations for civil claims of childhood sexual abuse, offering long-silenced survivors a new path to justice.
What lawmakers didn’t anticipate was the extent of abuse that would be uncovered within Maryland’s own juvenile detention system. Thousands of survivors—many of them formerly incarcerated children from low-income communities—have now come forward, alleging widespread, systemic sexual abuse over several decades in state-run facilities like the Maryland Training School for Boys (now the Hickey School).
Faced with over 6,000 potential claims and mounting pressure on the state budget, lawmakers moved to amend the MCVA in early 2025, dramatically reducing the financial damages available for claims filed on or after June 1.
What’s Changing After June 1
Under the current law:
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Victims suing private entities may recover up to $1.5 million in noneconomic damages.
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Claims against government entities are capped at $890,000.
Starting June 1, 2025, those limits drop sharply:
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Claims against private entities will be capped at $700,000.
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Claims against government entities will be limited to just $400,000 total.
This means that survivors who delay filing past the deadline may receive less than half of what they’re entitled to today.
Why Acting Now Matters
For survivors of abuse in state facilities—including those detained at institutions like Hickey, Victor Cullen Academy, and Cheltenham Youth Facility—the clock is ticking. Many of these individuals endured not only sexual abuse, but also years of silence, shame, and systemic neglect.
By filing before May 31, survivors preserve their right to pursue full financial recovery and hold institutions accountable for decades of harm.
How Smith, Gildea & Schmidt Can Help
Our firm has decades of experience litigating complex child sexual abuse recovery cases in Maryland. We’ve represented survivors in claims against government agencies, schools, churches, and private organizations. We know how to navigate the sensitive intersection of trauma, law, and public accountability.
“We are seeing an extraordinary moment in Maryland history—survivors are speaking out, and the legal system is finally listening,” said Michael Paul Smith, partner at SGS. “But the law is changing quickly, and those who wait could lose more than time—they could lose the justice they deserve.”
If you or someone you care about is a survivor of childhood abuse in Maryland, especially in state-run youth detention centers, contact us immediately. We can help file your claim before the law changes.
Contact Us Today – Time is Limited
Michael Paul Smith
📧 mpsmith@sgs-law.com
📞 (410) 821-0070
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