Preston Youth Correctional Facility Physical Abuse and Sex Abuse Lawyers
The Preston Youth Correctional Facility, which has been closed since 2010, opened in June 1894. It was called the Preston School of Industry (but was also known as Preston Castle or just The Castle) after state senator Edward Myers Preston, who proposed the facility. When it was opened, seven minors under the state’s guardianship were transferred from San Quentin State Prison. In 1999, the facility was renamed to the Preston Youth Correction Facility.
The reform school was located in Ione, California (in Amador County), specifically at 201 Waterman Road, Ione, CA 95640. Unfortunately, these facilities were riddled with abuse. Youth detained at Preston Youth Correctional Facility suffered both physical and sexual abuse. Considering that it has been closed for almost 13 years, victims might believe that they no longer have the right to sue. However, victims could still have grounds to pursue claims.
For more information about the legal options available to you, please do not hestiate to contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible. Our team here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group is fully committed to helping victims of physical abuse and sexual abuse justice. If you are interested in learning more about your rights and the legal options available to you, contact us today. Our Preston Youth Correctional Facilities abuse lawyers are ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights.
Physical Abuse at Preston Youth Correctional FacilityAbuse can occur both at the hands of other youth and at the hands of staff (whether it is guards or other staff). Physical abuse can include but is not limited to punching, kicking, pulling, pushing, slamming onto the ground/against the wall, choking, body slamming, tripping, suffocation, waterboarding, etc. Physical abuse can, of course, result in extensive injuries, which can include traumatic brain injuries, concussions, facial injuries (including broken teeth, broken jaw, and broken nose), neck injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken ribs (and other broken bones), lacerations, crushing injuries, scrapes, bruises, etc. In many cases, the abuse is known, but nothing is done to remedy the situation and prevent further abuse.
$1.93 Million
$2,287,495
$54 Million
$22 Million
$600,000
$965,000
Assaulted By Employee
$1,900,000
$1,975,000
Like with physical abuse, sexual abuse can occur both at the hands of other youth on the premises and at the hands of staff. Sexual abuse can be a one-time incident or can be recurring. In many cases, the victim will not report the abuse immediately because they have been threatened with further abuse or because they fear that their reports will not be taken seriously. Sexual abuse can look different from case to case but can include the following: rape, attempted rape, unwanted pregnancies, pregnancy-related complications, sexually transmitted infections, other physical injuries (especially if there was a struggle), and more.
Both Physical and Sexual Abuse Can Cause Mental and Emotional HarmVictims of physical assaults and sexual abuse can result in harm well after physical injuries have healed. More specifically, abuse within the walls of juvenile hall facilities can lead to mental and emotional harm.
Victims may suffer some of the following as a result of the abuse:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Personality disorders
- Depression
- Fear
- Mistrust of authority
- Increased risk of self-harm
- Increased risk of substance abuse
The mental and emotional harm stemming from physical and sexual abuse at juvenile halls can last for decades and can even be lifelong.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Abuse at Preston Youth Correctional Facility?Yes – you could have the right to file a lawsuit for abuse that occurred at Preston Youth Correctional Facility. It does not matter that the juvenile facility has been closed for over a decade; you may still have the right to file a lawsuit.
The facility was run by the Division of Juvenile Justice, a state entity. Therefore, victims may have the right to bring forth claims against the State of California. This is based on the duty of care owed to all detained juveniles. The State had the duty to keep juveniles safe during their detention on the premises. Whether the abuse occurred due to negligent hiring, the failure to identify and address abuse, the blatant disregard of reports of abuse, or the cover up of abuse, victims could file claims. Victims may even be eligible to participate in class action lawsuits.
For more information about your right to file a lawsuit for the abuse that you suffered at Preston Youth Correctional Facility, contact us today.
Can Victims of Abuse at Preston Recover Compensation?Yes, victims could recover compensation. Compensation available for recovery may include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, treble damages, punitive damages, and legal fees, for example.
How much can I be awarded? Juvenile hall physical abuse and sexual abuse claims can be worth anywhere from $500,000 to $3.5 million, based on the specific details surrounding the claim; these details include the type of abuse suffered, resulting injuries, extent of the injuries, whether there was gross negligence, and whether there was a coverup. Class action lawsuits for juvenile hall abuse have reached settlements upwards of $20 million.
Here at our law firm, our team is fully committed to getting our clients the maximum payout available for their claims. Our team will negotiate a fair settlement or take your claim to trial to get a verdict to ensure that you are awarded the best recovery possible. Let us help you get justice! For more information about the possible value of your Preston Youth Correctional Facility juvenile hall abuse claim, contact us today.
All claims are subject to a statute of limitations which determines the deadline to file a claim. Since the Preston was a youth correctional facility, victims were definitely minors at the time of the abuse. This means that all sexual abuse would fall under the category of child sex abuse. Under California law, victims of child sex abuse have until the age of 40 or up to 5 years after the discovery of the harm caused by the abuse to file lawsuits. The 5-year discovery rule is essential considering that many victims may have suppressed memories. The statute of limitations for the physical assault and battery of a minor is much lower and may be as short as two years after the victim’s 18th birthday – and may be even lower if a government entity is involved.
To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the time that you have to file your claim, contact our team today. Our legal team is available to evaluate your claim and determine the deadline that applies.
Contact the Downtown L.A. Law Group TodayIf you suffered any abuse – including sexual abuse and physical assault – at the Preston Youth Correctional Facility, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. For more information about the legal options available to you, contact the juvenile hall abuse lawyers here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group today. Here at our law firm, our juvenile hall abuse lawyers have decades of experience handling these types of claims. We are committed to holding all liable entities accountable for abuse – whether this means going after cities, counties, or even the state. Our lawyers are ready to go above it all to fight for your rights and get you the justice that you deserve.
We understand that it could be very difficult to reach out to a lawyer to discuss your situation and figure out whether you could file a claim. To try to make things simple for those who are interested in exploring their legal options, we offer free legal services. These include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and essentially give you all the information that you may need to begin or continue your claim. Whether you are ready to start the legal process, are looking to switch lawyers, or are just looking for information about your right to file a claim, we can help you. To benefit from our free legal services, contact us today.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: our juvenile hall abuse law firm offers a zero-fee guarantee, meaning that our clients will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. This means that you will not have to pay to speak with our lawyers about your case. In addition, our law firm works on a strict contingency structure; this means that you will not pay unless you win. Even then, all legal costs come from the recovery, so you will never pay anything out-of-pocket.
If you are ready to speak with our Preston Youth Correctional Facility abuse lawsuit lawyers, contact us today.
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