Skip to main content
Only Pay If We Win
(855) 339-8879
FREE CONSULTATION
Our Headquarters have moved:
Our New Address is
612 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

William F. James Boys Ranch Sexual Abuse Lawyer


William F James Boys Ranch Sexual Abuse Lawyer sue compensation incident liability

The William F. James Ranch is a juvenile detention center located at 19050 Malaguerra Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Originally, it was called the William F. James Boys Ranch, but the facility eventually admitted females, which is why the name was changed. For many years, this youth prison had a notorious reputation for housing the most violent teenage offenders, who often caused riots and outraged the community due to constant escape attempts.

Clearly, William F. Ranch suffered from poor management for several decades until things started to turn around in the early 2000s. Even then, county officials were slow to act and agree to the changes that were suggested by child advocacy groups. While there have been improvements that recognize the special needs of children, neglect and abuse incidents still occur on a regular basis at juvenile detention facilities in Santa Clara County.

Perhaps you are one of the countless youths who were sexually assaulted or exploited by someone working for the William F. James Boys Ranch. We can assure you that you are not alone, nor are you out of options when it comes to holding the county responsible for the harm you suffered. A William F. James Ranch sex abuse lawyer is here to educate you on the legal actions that are available to you. Please contact us today and schedule a free, confidential case review.

Penny Lane Centers Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer compensation incident liability
Our Latest Verdicts and Settlements

$1.93 Million

Security Guard Assault

$2,287,495

Lead Poisoning

$54 Million

Sexual Abuse

$22 Million

Gym Accident

$600,000

Assault & Battery

$965,000

Assaulted By Employee

$1,900,000

Stairway Fall

$1,975,000

Head Injury
Do I Qualify for a William F. James Boys Ranch Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

You can sue William F. James Boys Ranch for sexual misconduct by a staff member if negligence by the county contributed to or directly caused you to be sexually abused. To be specific, you likely have grounds to sue Santa Clara County, as the county probation department is responsible for operating the facility.

To understand how this works, let’s consider how these places have failed youth inmates for many years. From living conditions to the treatment of underage inmates, William F. James Ranch has had a long and troubled reputation of inadequacy. It’s a known fact that physical and sexual violence, along with repeated escape attempts by desperate inmates happened on a regular basis.

It stands to reason that such a facility would not be proactive when it comes to accusations of sexual assault by a probation officer or any other employee. If anything, the victims were probably threatened with solitary confinement, extra time on their sentences, and other punishments. We also know that many of our clients were physically beaten by other staff members or inmates that were recruited by staff as a punishment for snitching.

In essence, poor leadership, lack of supervision, and no accountability for inmate abuse created a perfect environment for sexual predators at William F. James Ranch. This is why the county or state is ultimately responsible in just about every case of sexual abuse at a California juvenile detention center.

Building a solid case for sexual abuse is undeniably challenging, and there are many obstacles that you will face when you are attempting to sue a government institution. With that in mind, it’s important to work with an experienced child sexual abuse law firm right from the start. If you or a loved one was sexually abused while incarcerated at the William F. James Boys Ranch, please seek legal advice from a juvenile hall sexual abuse attorney.

What if I want to File a William F. James Ranch Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit?

Our team of class action lawyers can help you initiate a claim or join a lawsuit that’s already in progress. In the last few years, there have been a record number of class action lawsuits against county probation departments in California. Much of this has to do with new laws pertaining to child sexual abuse, particularly the extended amount of time to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse against minors. As a result, we are frequently contacted by former inmates of William F. James Boys Ranch and other juvenile halls throughout the state.

For more information on joining a William F. James Boys Ranch class action lawsuit, contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation.

Average Value of a Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse at William F. James Boys Ranch

The average settlement value of a William F. James Boys Ranch sexual assault lawsuit is around $2,500,000 to $5,000,000. If the lawsuit involved solicitation and sexual harassment, values may be around $1,500,000 or less. Ultimately, there are many issues that will impact how much you can receive from a juvenile hall child abuse lawsuit. That’s why you will see one case that’s settled for $450,000, while another lawsuit results in a verdict of $10,000,000. We can educate you on these factors and help you figure out your own lawsuit value during a free case review.

How Long Does a Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Case Take to Settle?

A lawsuit for the sexual abuse of a minor will takes at least 12 months on average, though we would say that between 12 and 24 months is a realistic timeline. There are instances where a settlement is reached in just 6 months, but this is a rarity due to the complex requirements of suing a county agency. If it’s clear that the other side is not acting in good faith to negotiate a fair settlement, going to court may be the only option. Please note that less than 5% of child sex abuse lawsuits go to trial, so this is not something most claimants have to worry about. If there is a need to try your case in court, the legal process will probably take over 3 years from start to finish.

Penny Lane Centers Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Lawyers compensation lawyer attorney sue
Statute of Limitations to Sue William F. James Ranch

If you were 18 years old when you were sexually abused at William F. Boys Ranch, you have 10 years from the date of abuse to sue Santa Clara County for monetary compensation. On the other hand, a child sexual abuse lawsuit against William F. James Boys Ranch must be filed no later than the age of 40, which is 22 years after you are 18 years old. However, lawsuits can also be filed by victims that are older than 40 if they do not discover an injury caused by sexual abuse until a later date. This is known as the discovery rule, and it’s a legal principle that applies to all types of personal injury cases.

While the rule usually applies to the delayed discovery of a physical injury, sexual abuse victims have emotional trauma that can result in mental health disorders. These are also considered injuries for the purpose of a lawsuit, and that’s why you have 5 years to sue for child sexual abuse, starting from the discovery of an emotional or physical injury. Most people only find out about these issues when they see a therapist, and that can certainly happen beyond the age of 40. This is why the discovery rule is so important, as it takes away the age requirement to sue for sexual assault and abuse at William F. James Boys Ranch.

Zero Fee Guarantee for Sex Abuse Victims

We know that the cost of legal fees can make you hesitate when it comes to finding a lawyer who is experienced with child sexual abuse lawsuits. That won’t be a problem here at DTLA Law Group, as we offer a Zero Fee Guarantee from day one. We bill Santa Clara County for any fees associated with your case, and that’s paid to us at the same time as your settlement check. Since winning your case is the only way we get paid, your finances are never at risk.

Please take a moment to contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. We look forward to advising you and fighting to bring justice to you and your loved ones.


Over $1 BILLION Recovered
for Our Clients
Learn More

YOU Deserve the Best

Free Case Review 24/7
You Don’t Pay unless we win
Call (855) 339-8879

ultimate guide uber lyft accidents