Woodward Camp Agrees to $8M Settlement in Sexual Assault Case

S.C. V. Woodward Camp Et Al

Case Background

Kelly and Julio Chinea, parents of minor S.C., filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Woodward Camp and other affiliated entities, Brittany Shulman, the camp administrator, and Nathaniel Singer, a gymnastics coach at the camp.

The case was filed in the United States District Court, Pennsylvania Middle (Williamsport). Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann presided over this case. [Case number: 4:22cv134]

Cause

The Woodward Camp Defendants, including Woodward Camp, Inc. d/b/a Woodward Gymnastics Camp, Powdr – Woodward Pa, LLC, Powdr – Woodward Camps, LLC, Powdr – Woodward Holdings, LLC, Woodward Camp Properties, Inc., The Woodward Foundation, and Sports Management Group, Inc. d/b/a Woodward Gymnastics Camp, operated a global sports company. They owned, managed, and marketed state-of-the-art facilities and programs for top action sports and gymnastics athletes, including current and future Olympians. One of its facilities was the Woodward Gymnastics Camp, located at 134 Sports Camp Drive, Woodward, PA 16886.

The camp advertised top-tier coaches and Olympian instruction while emphasizing safety and recommending a minimum two-week stay with room and board. Their daily schedule included gymnastics training, meals, and recreational activities from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM. In 2016, Nathaniel Singer, employed as a coach and DJ at the camp, had a prior inappropriate relationship with a minor gymnast. Throughout the camp, he violated policies by isolating female campers, including taking them on golf cart rides and being alone with them in the DJ booth. These actions were either known or should have been known to the camp’s administrators, including Brittany Shulman, who failed to take corrective action. Despite these violations, Singer was rehired in 2017, where he admitted to abusing a minor camper, Jane Doe. In 2018, he began grooming and abusing another camper, S.C., who was 13 at the time. Even with knowledge of his past actions, administrators allowed him to coach S.C., and the abuse continued. S.C. reported the abuse to camp officials, including Shulman and assistant Elizabeth Price. However, they questioned her credibility, discouraged her from speaking out, and failed to investigate the matter or report it to authorities. Despite being aware of Singer’s misconduct, the Woodward Camp Defendants continued to employ him, allowing him to pose a risk to the children.

Injury

The actions of Defendant Nathaniel Singer, Defendant Shulman, and the Woodward Camp Defendants, including their agents and employees, directly caused S.C.’s harm. Their negligence, recklessness, and outrageous conduct significantly contributed to the severe and permanent injuries S.C. suffered, including: a. Mental anguish, humiliation, pain, suffering, and emotional trauma from being sexually assaulted as a child; b. Additional anguish from being assaulted by an adult coach in a sport S.C. loved, with hopes of earning a college scholarship; c. Further pain and suffering from being interrogated, shamed, and threatened by camp authorities after reporting the abuse; d. Additional emotional distress due to the failure of camp authorities to report the abuse to law enforcement; e. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); f. Night terrors; g. Ongoing fear; h. Flashbacks; i. Panic attacks; j. Costs for mental health treatment; k. Intense psychological distress; l. Past and future economic losses; m. Past and future embarrassment and humiliation; n. Ongoing pain, suffering, mental anguish, and loss of life’s pleasures; o. Other physical, economic, and psychological injuries, some of which may be permanent, arising from the sexual assault

Damages

Plaintiffs sought compensation for the mental anguish, humiliation, pain, and suffering caused by the sexual assault and abuse, including PTSD, panic attacks, night terrors, and flashbacks. They experienced past and future economic losses and incurred costs for medical and mental health treatment. The abuse caused severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and a loss of life’s pleasures.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

Plaintiff(s): Kelly Chinea and Julio Chinea as Parents and Natural Guardians of S.C., a minor | S.C.
- Counsel for Plaintiff(s): David K Inscho | Lorraine H. Donnelly | Thomas R Kline

Defendant(s): Woodward Camp Inc., d/b/a Woodward Gymnastics Camp a/k/a Woodward U | Powdr-Woodward PA LLC d/b/a Woodward Camp | Powdr-Woodward Camps LLC | Woodward Camp Properties Inc. | The Woodward Foundation | Sports Management Group Inc. d/b/a Woodward Gymnastics Camp | Nathaniel Singer | Brittany Shulman
- Counsel for Defendant(s): Alan R. Gries | John C Romeo | Stephen J. Finley | Jacqueline Woolley | John C Romeo | Michael Bonner

Claims

Count I - Negligence Plaintiffs filed suit against the Woodward Camp Defendants and Defendant Brittany Shulman for negligence, recklessness, and outrageous conduct. The Defendants failed to supervise coach Nathaniel Singer properly, which created a risk of sexual abuse. They also neglected to have adequate policies to monitor coaches and prevent abuse. Despite knowing about Singer's previous misconduct, the Defendants did not investigate or suspend him. Their actions directly caused S.C.'s harm, including physical, emotional, and psychological injuries. Count II - Negligent Supervision Defendants had a duty to supervise their employees, including Nathaniel Singer, who was placed in a position of trust with vulnerable children. The Defendants knew of his potential to harm children and failed to take necessary actions. They failed to investigate or discipline Singer, despite warnings about his behavior. The Defendants' failure to properly supervise their staff allowed Singer to continue his abusive actions. Count III - Negligent Hiring and Retention Defendants were aware of the risks posed by coaches like Nathaniel Singer but failed to exercise due care when hiring or retaining him. Despite knowing about Singer's prior abuse and policy violations, they rehired him multiple times. Their failure to conduct proper background checks or investigate his history of abuse led to further harm. Count IV - Vicarious Liability The Defendants were vicariously liable for the actions of their agents and employees, including Nathaniel Singer, who abused S.C. while performing his duties as a gymnastics coach. Despite knowing about Singer's past misconduct, the Defendants continued to employ him. Count V - Assault and Battery Defendant Nathaniel Singer committed sexual assault and physical battery against S.C. during the summer of 2018 and 2019 at the Woodward Gymnastics Camp. The abuse caused S.C. significant physical and emotional harm. Count VI - Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Defendants, through their agents, intentionally caused emotional distress to S.C. by interrogating and pressuring her to remain silent about the abuse. They failed to protect her and manipulated her into not revealing the abuse. Their actions were extreme and outrageous, further traumatizing S.C.

Defense

Woodward stated in its response to the Plaintiffs' amended complaint that it had no knowledge or reason to know, through reasonable care, that any of its agents, administrators, representatives, or employees posed a risk of harm to Plaintiff S.C. or any other camper.

Settlement

The parties reached a pretrial settlement in this sexual assault lawsuit. Woodward's primary and excess insurers, including American International Group Inc. and Hanover Insurance Co., offered their policies, amounting to $8 million.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com

Woodward Camp Settles Sexual Assault Case Involving Minor and Coach For $8 Million