Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

Can I Sue my Parents?

For the past four years, since I was 13-14, I have been living with my stepfather, mother, and stepbrother. My stepbrother is a convicted felon (couple times for drugs and another for attempted murder), and while I was living with him, he was physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive. He would hit me, beat me, yell at me. Once he pulled a gun on me and threatened to kill me. He told me that if I said anything that he knew people who raped girls like me. My parents refused to do anything about it. My mother blamed me for ''breaking up the family'' and pulled me out of therapy (she put me in therapy because she thought this was my faut). This therapist wanted to put me in an emergency foster home it was so bad.

I just turned 18. I have a good job and I even graduated college (very early) with an Assc. Degree. I make more than my mother and stepfather. I pay for all my own things. I want to move out. I fear for my life. Can I sue my parents for Child Endangerment or Extreme Emotional Distress or something to make them pay for damamges so I can find my own place and leave here? Please help... thanks.


Asked on 1/15/06, 2:21 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Heffernan Heffernan Legal Group, LLP

Re: Can I Sue my Parents?

Theoretically, you could sue them for intentional infliction of emotional distress, but as a practical matter, why bother? For one thing, it's hard to prove, especially against parents; for another, it's not covered by insurance, so even if you won a lawsuit, where are they going to get the money to pay the judgment? But if you are 18, you can move out any time you want. Set up your own house and get on with your life.

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Answered on 1/16/06, 9:17 am


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