Overview

• David Meehan's lawsuit against the New Hampshire youth detention center marks the first trial of nearly 1,200 similar cases alleging abuse over six decades.
• Meehan, who was abused at the facility in the 1990s, seeks $1.9 million for damages including lost income and pain and suffering.
• The state argues Meehan's case is beyond the statute of limitations and denies liability for the actions of 'rogue' employees.
• Evidence from an unprecedented criminal investigation into the center is central to the trial, with 11 former state workers facing criminal charges.
• The outcome of Meehan's case could influence future trials and the potential damages awarded in similar lawsuits.