San Diego County Juvenile Hall Lawsuit Attorney

Yes, you can sue San Diego County if you were sexually abused by a staff member at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Hall, Urban Camp, or any other youth detention center in the county. Your right to seek monetary compensation is based on the concept of liability, which is determined by the following:

• You were owed a duty of care by the defendant (San Diego County Probation Department, for example)
• The defendant breached their duty of care to you through an act of negligence or willful misconduct
• Due to the breach in their duty of care, you suffered injuries from an accident or traumatic incident
• The harm you suffered makes you eligible for monetary damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical costs, etc.)

Negligence by county officials is never in short supply when it comes to the abuse of juvenile inmates. Most of these administrators do not act quickly enough, or they fail to act appropriately when there are allegations of inmate sexual assault. If they come across proof of sexual abuse by an employee, they may hide or destroy the evidence in order to protect the abuser, as well as themselves. For the inmate, little to nothing is done for their protection, as the staff member is allowed to keep working at the facility. If anything is done at all, it may be a transfer to another detention center, but that means a whole new group of children are at risk of sexual assault and harassment.

The problem of sexual misconduct at juvenile halls is a systemic issue, and the people in charge are often to blame, which is why these lawsuits are almost always filed against San Diego County.

Contacting a California sexual abuse class action lawyer is the easiest way to join a lawsuit with former inmates of the San Diego County juvenile justice system. For every one victim that contacts us, there are dozens, if not hundreds, who are in the same position. A class action claim can bring justice to countless individuals at the same time. However, these are very complicated legal actions that you should not attempt on your own.

We can provide you with a detailed explanation of how these lawsuits work and ensure that you have a full understanding of your rights and legal options.

Case values for child sexual abuse are generally 6 to 7 figures, but we would say that the average settlement for a San Diego County Juvenile Hall lawsuit is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. Based on factors that are specific to each case, the amount of compensation can range from $450,000 to $10,000,000. For a class action lawsuit against San Diego County, settlements may be around $100,000,000 to $350,000,000 if there are hundreds of plaintiffs, which is not unusual with these cases.

At the end of the day, how much these lawsuits are worth on average is helpful information. But you must speak to an experienced juvenile hall abuse lawyer if you want to obtain a case value that’s based on your own circumstances.

It takes 1 to 2 years to settle the average lawsuit for sexual abuse at a juvenile hall or camp program. Of course, some cases deviate from the norm, and as a result, we have lawsuits that settle in a matter of months, while others take 3 years or longer. However, most personal injury cases (you are filing a lawsuit by yourself) take at least 1 year, while class action lawsuits can take 2 to 3 years.

During a free consultation, we can educate you on the factors that play a role in how long it takes to settle a San Diego County Juvenile Hall lawsuit. That way, you can have a chance to ask any questions and understand what it takes to achieve justice through the civil court system.

According to California law, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse is based on how old you were at the time of the incident. If you were 18 or older, you have 10 years to sue for being sexually abused at a San Diego County juvenile detention facility. But the timeline is very different for minors who are sexually abused.

Generally, the time limit to file a child sexual abuse lawsuit is 22 years from your 18^th birthday, which means you will need to submit a claim with the county by the time you are 40 years old. Or, you can file a lawsuit within 5 years from realizing an injury that was caused by sexual assault and abuse at a youth detention center. This is known as the discovery rule, and many of our clients fall into this category. Most of them had suffered from one or more mental health disorders for many years. However, a lifetime of repressing memories of sexual abuse – extremely common in child victims – meant that they were unable to see the connection between these injuries and what they endured at a juvenile inmate.

You may be confused by which of these dates to go by, but rest assured that we can help you figure things out. Just contact our office and ask to speak with a lawyer who can help you file a lawsuit against a San Diego County Juvenile Hall.

Can I switch my lawyer if I already filed a lawsuit? What can I do if I’m not happy with how my law firm is handling my case?

These are questions we receive quite often from sexual abuse victims who are in the middle of a legal action. And we understand all too well how frustrating it is when you are not receiving the time and attention you deserve. Maybe your lawyer takes forever to get back to you, or they ignore your calls and emails altogether. Maybe you’re butting heads on what to do about your case, and it’s not the first time this has happened.

No matter the issue, it’s time that you sought counsel from another attorney that’s experienced in child sexual abuse lawsuits. By contacting our law firm, you can receive a free second opinion consultation to discuss what’s going on with your case and decide if finding a new lawyer is the best course of action. If you choose to sign up with us, we will take care of the entire transfer process at no cost to you. Keep in mind, however, that you are under no pressure to leave your current law firm.

We look forward to helping you, so please give us a call to schedule a second opinion with one of our legal experts.

Representation from a lawyer is a vital component to any lawsuit for abuse at a juvenile detention center. But we know that the cost of legal fees is a deterrent for the average victim, which is why we provide a Zero Fee Guarantee right from the start.

Legal fees are covered by San Diego County as long we succeed in recovering your settlement award. In essence, we don’t make a penny unless we win your case. If we fail to recover your settlement, you owe $0, even if your case goes to trial.

For more information on your rights and legal options, contact the San Diego County juvenile hall sexual abuse lawyers of DTLA Law Group.  

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Gilbert Street – San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Camp Joseph Scott Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Prison Sexual Abuse Lawyers