The “Bronx Zoo” disability abuse case

In what is believed to be one of the largest settlements of its kind in New York’s history, the firm obtained $6 million for three families of abused disabled residents in a State-run group home in the Bronx, known as the Union Avenue IRA.

“Bronx Zoo” Case Settles for $6 Million and Transfer of Control of State Facility

This morning, three families settled a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court alleging abuse of disabled residents in a State-run group home in the Bronx. The lawsuit revealed years of shocking abuse and neglect in the Bronx home, including staff who gave disabled residents black eyes, pulled their hair, spit in their faces, kicked them, sexually abused them, […]

Federal Court Rejects Motion to Dismiss the “Bronx Zoo” Group Home Lawsuit

On July 5, 2017, federal judge Paul A. Engelmayer denied motions brought by several New York State employees to dismiss a lawsuit filed by ECBAWM on behalf of family members of three developmentally disabled adults alleging rampant abuse and neglect at a State-run group home in the Bronx. In an opinion noting that the facts […]

Families Request Bronx DA Criminal Investigation in “Bronx Zoo” Disability Abuse Case

Three families have formally requested that Darcel Clark, the District Attorney for Bronx County, open a formal criminal investigation into the abuse of disabled residents at Union Avenue IRA, a group home run by New York State. The State has not revealed how many of these alleged abusers still work for the State or with […]

ECBAWM Partner Zoe Salzman to Speak at Adult Survivors Act Webinar Sponsored by New York State Legislators and SafeHorizon

The window for sexual abuse survivors to file lawsuits under New York’s Adult Survivor Act (ASA) closes on November 23, 2023. To spread awareness about the Act and educate survivors about the process, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, and survivor assistance organization Safe Horizon are hosting an […]

Maazel on The Weekly

The New York Times TV series The Weekly is featuring the “Bronx Zoo” disability abuse case, ECBAWM client L.K., and ECBAWM partner Ilann Maazel. The case recently settled for $6 million and injunctive relief. More about the case can be found in the New York Times here and here. The Weekly episode can be found on […]

ECBAWM Files Federal Lawsuit Alleging Shocking Abuse in Bronx Group Home

This morning, three families filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court alleging severe and pervasive abuse of disabled residents in a New York State group home called the Union Avenue IRA.  According to New York State’s own Justice Center, staff gave disabled residents black eyes, punched them, pulled their hair, spit on them, shoved and […]