In the six months since the state launched a $100 million fund to settle claims with people abused at the former Youth Development Center, 92 people have requested almost $83 million. As of June, the state had resolved 11 claims for a total of $4.8 million, according to a new report.
The state closed three of those claims without payment. Two of them were withdrawn by the claimants. The state denied a third claim for $1.5 million because a victim’s survivor filed it on behalf of the victim after the victim had died.
According to the report, an additional 81 claims totaling $73.7 million are pending.
Victims can file claims until Dec. 31, 2024, through a portal on the state’s website, ydcclaims.nh.gov.
Six of the people compensated so far received settlements for physical and sexual abuse. Two settled claims alleging sexual abuse alone. Those payments are capped at $1.5 million per victim. The Legislature capped claims for physical abuse alone at $150,000.
Lawmakers made a change to the settlement process this year that had been requested by advocacy groups and victims’ attorneys.
Before the change, people had to give up their right to sue if they wanted to appeal the state’s settlement offer to the administrator of the settlement fund, former Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick.
Now, individuals can wait for Broderick’s decision before deciding whether to reject it and take the state to court.
Meanwhile, nearly 1,300 former YDC residents are suing the state for alleged abuse. They could file a claim only if they choose to drop their case, which at least one former resident has. That person obtained a $1.5 million settlement in May.