Attorneys for a New Hampshire man who won a $38 million lawsuit over abuse at a state-run youth detention center are seeking a hearing after learning the award could be drastically reduced to $475,000. David Meehan alleged that negligence by the state allowed him to endure repeated rape, beatings, and solitary confinement as a teenager at the Youth Development Center in Manchester.
The jury awarded Meehan $18 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in enhanced damages, but the attorney general’s office stated that the award would be limited to $475,000 per incident under state law. The jury foreperson expressed dismay over this revelation, stating, “I’m so sorry. I’m absolutely devastated.”
Meehan’s attorneys are now requesting a hearing to address this discrepancy. The jury was not informed of the cap on damages, and it remains unclear whether they considered Meehan’s allegations as a single incident or multiple incidents.
Meehan’s lawsuit was the first to go to trial among 1,100 former residents of the Youth Development Center who have filed lawsuits alleging abuse spanning six decades. During the trial, Meehan’s attorneys accused the state of fostering a culture of abuse, while the state argued it was not liable for the actions of rogue employees.
The case has shed light on the disturbing history of abuse at the youth center and has sparked a broader conversation about accountability and justice for survivors. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether Meehan will receive the full amount awarded by the jury or if his compensation will be significantly reduced.