Lawsuits to Be Filed against Multiple Western New York High Schools and School Districts

Anderson Adocates
September 2, 2019

https://www.andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/2485/Lawsuits-to-be-Filed-Against-Multiple-Western-New-York-High-Schools-and-School-Districts.aspx

Two survivors to speak publicly for the first time Friday

Four lawsuits to be filed against Kenmore West High School involving two sexual predators

Survivors Margaret George and Lorna Barrie

Western Public Schools Map

(Williamsville, New York) – At a news conference Friday, two Kenmore West sexual abuse survivors will speak publicly about their lawsuits against Kenmore West High School for the sexual abuse they endured in the 1970s. A retired Union Representative from the Kenmore Teachers Association will also be present to discuss what was known by the school district during the time of the abuse.

The law firms of Steve Boyd, PC and Jeff Anderson & Associates will also be filing suit against the following schools and their districts under the New York Child Victims Act:

Amherst High School

Buffalo Public Schools

Maryvale East Elementary School

Mount St. Joseph Academy

Niagara Falls High School

Hamburg High School

Attorney Leah Costanzo, a partner in the Law Offices of Steve Boyd and John V. Elmore, will be lead litigation counsel on the public-school cases.

“There was ‘look-the-other-way’ culture in these schools despite their legal obligation to report these predators and a moral obligation to protect these children,” Ms. Costanzo said.

“This was a culture. In some of these cases, everyone in the school knew was what going on and school leadership did nothing,” said Attorney Steve Boyd. “The Child Victims Act makes them accountable.”

Section 413 of the New York State Social Services Law requires all school officials from top administrators to the school nurse to report instances of suspected child abuse or maltreatment only when they are presented with reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment in their professional roles. That law was passed in 1973.

In addition to these school cases, Jeff Anderson and Associates and Steve Boyd, PC have filed 100 clergy lawsuits naming the Diocese of Buffalo as defendants.

WHEN: Friday, September 27, 2019 at 11:00AM ET

WHERE: Law Offices of Steve Boyd and John V. Elmore

40 North Forest Road

Williamsville, NY 14221

Contact: Steve Boyd: Office: (716)400-0000; Cell: (716)856-7777

Leah Costanzo: Office: (716)400-0000

Jeff Anderson: Office: (646)759-2551; Cell: (646)499-3364