Sent away from Southern California as a teen?
Wilderness programs. Residential treatment centers. Therapeutic boarding schools. Youth ranches. Middle-of-the-night transports. Many teens from Los Angeles, the Westside, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, the Valley, the South Bay and Orange County were sent to programs like these, often out of state. If what happened there still follows you, you can talk about it confidentially, at your own pace.
Who this page is for
Adult survivors. You were placed in a troubled-teen program as a minor and experienced abuse, restraint, isolation, neglect or medical harm. It does not matter how long ago it was. You deserve a straight answer about your options.
Families. You sent a child to a program based on what you were told, and you now believe it was not what it claimed to be. Or your child is in a program right now and something feels wrong.
What Frank does
Frank Stucki, Esq., MBA is a plaintiff trial lawyer who focuses on institutional and troubled-teen abuse cases. He is licensed in California, Nevada, Washington and Utah. Survivors and families from anywhere can reach out. Cases in other states are handled with local co-counsel licensed there.
How a confidential review works
Step 1: Reach out. Call or send a short message asking for a call back. Your name and a good time to reach you are enough.
Step 2: Talk privately. In a confidential conversation, share only what you are ready to share. Ask about deadlines, privacy and what a case could involve.
Step 3: Decide. You will get an honest assessment of your options. There is no pressure and no obligation to take any next step.
Your privacy matters
Please don't put details about what happened in web forms, emails or text messages. A short note asking for a call back is all we need. The details can wait for a confidential phone conversation.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police where the program is located.
Frequently asked questions
It happened years ago. Is it too late?
Maybe not. Deadlines depend on the state, the type of claim, who is responsible and the facts, and some states have changed their rules in recent years. Don't assume it's too late without asking.
The program was in another state. Can you help?
Frank is licensed in California, Nevada, Washington and Utah. Survivors from anywhere can reach out, and cases in other states are handled with local co-counsel licensed there.
Will anyone find out I called?
Consultations are confidential. You decide who knows, including whether your family is involved.
What if the program closed or changed its name?
That does not necessarily end a case. Programs sometimes close, rename or change owners, and a lawyer can look into who operated the program and who may be responsible.
Take the first step
You don't have to have it all figured out. Start with a conversation.
Frank Stucki, Esq., MBA is licensed in California, Nevada, Washington and Utah; cases in other states are handled with local co-counsel licensed there. This page is general information, not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney Advertising.