A Penobscot County Superior Court judge recently awarded $1,000,000 to a child sex abuse survivor represented by Attorneys Kristin Murray-James and Mike Bigos, following a two-day bench trial. On May 23, 2025, $750,000 in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages were awarded in an extraordinary, 30-minute judgment announced orally, after the conclusion of evidence and arguments. Lead trial Attorney Kristin Murray-James said, “Child sexual abuse is intolerable in our communities. Adults must never sexually abuse children, and must never threaten bodily injury and death for the purposes of obtaining sexual favors and contact, in order to prevent less devastating physiological and emotional injury.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that during a 2011 family medical emergency, a man in his late thirties made verbal and physical sexual advances to his 21-year-younger female cousin, 16 at the time. This civil claim for child sexual abuse was not time-barred by any statute of limitation.
The contact occurred over a 4-hour drive and a visit to a family member’s residence, and included him fondling over clothes on her thighs, vaginal area, buttocks and breasts, and him masturbating in front of her. The sixteen year-old experienced freeze and flight responses. The perpetrator had isolated the girl, and after advances and touchings were rebuffed, he threatened to kill her and her parents if she ever told anyone. Evidence of the threats was admitted pursuant to case law as relevant to damages, which would have otherwise been inadmissible due to the statute of limitation on assault and battery. This evidence served as oneof the bases of the punitive damages findings.
“Trial demonstrated how a power differential and child sex abuse can result in the devastating effects of severe psychological trauma and physiological responses. This win highlights the type of conduct that can give rise to punitive damages.” said Murray-James. Seven witnesses testified. Evidence of extensive, continuing psychological trauma was admitted.
“The justice’s decision in this case was extraordinary. Hearing the detailed decision was empowering, validating, and caused a flood of emotion for our brave client. It was a remarkable, unprecedented career experience for Kristin and me,” said Mike Bigos. “We are so proud of our client for coming forward. Her win will help prevent future abuse and keep our communities safer.”