A jury in Cook County has returned a $50 million judgment against the Chicago-based owners of a Peoria fitness camp after an 8-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by another male camper.
Clifford Law Offices announced the verdict in connection with an incident that happened in July 2022 in a shower at what was then called the Kids Climbing Camp, where a 13-year-old was accused of attacking the younger boy.
Attorneys for the 8-year-old's family alleged employees knew of a previous incident involving the older boy, but did nothing to prevent the two from being together unsupervised for nearly an hour in the bathroom. Attorneys for the defendants placed full blame for the assault on the attacker.
The jury determined the First Ascent Climbing and Fitness Camp was negligent in its lack of supervision, protocols and communication in handling youngsters, awarding $49 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
The law firm reports that’s a record amount awarded in Illinois in such a case.
Evidence presented at trial indicated the victim’s father and brother walked in as the assault was happening and had to force the older camper away to stop the attack. Police were called, and a rape kit tested positive.
