Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorney
Were you a victim of sexual abuse while you were incarcerated at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF) in San Diego, California? KMJDF, also known as San Diego Juvenile Hall, is a maximum security detention facility for juveniles that are awaiting court hearings or a permanent placement in another facility. These minors have the right to safety and security during their time at KMDJF, but unfortunately, many of them are sexually assaulted by their guards, counselors, program managers, and other staff members.
Some of these children were assaulted against their will, while others were groomed into having a relationship with an adult. Both cases are examples of child sexual abuse, as minors cannot consent to sexual activity with adults according to California law. If you are a former resident of Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility who was subjected to sexual abuse, contact the lawyers of DTLA. We can advise you of your legal rights, which may include a lawsuit for monetary compensation against the County of San Diego.
Pending Lawsuit Filed by 300 Juvenile Hall Residents in Los AngelesRecently, almost 300 juveniles that were housed at various detention centers in Los Angeles came together in a lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs were sexually abused under the guise of “authority” by staff members of the Los Angeles County Probation Department. Due to conditions like poor screening procedures, inadequate training, and lack of supervision, the plaintiffs suffered horrific acts of abuse, including rape and sodomy. They were also threatened with extra time and additional forms of violence if they told anyone what was going on.
If these allegations resonate with you, please take the chance of contacting us at your earliest convenience. Our attorneys have extensive experience with sexual abuse lawsuits against religious organizations, school systems, and government entities, including juvenile detention centers. We have what it takes to hold KMJDF responsible and bring you the compensation you deserve.
$54 Million
$1.93 Million
$600,000
$600,000
$500,000
$460,000
$420,000
$525,000
Though a settlement is typically received as a lump sum, there are several forms of compensation that you may be entitled to as a victim of sexual abuse at Kearney Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility. Here is a list of the damages that we may be able to recover on your behalf:
- Medical costs, including therapy and other rehabilitative services
- Lost wages / income opportunities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Cost of hiring an attorney
- Punitive damages
One special form of payment that applies to minors is treble damages. Under California’s Assembly Bill 218, the victim may be awarded treble, or triple, the normal settlement amount if the defendant took deliberate actions to cover up sexual abuse incidents involving minors. This is sadly common in detention centers, as well as foster care agencies, public schools, and other organizations that are meant to serve children. If you’d like to learn more about the legal process and take action on a claim against KMJDF, contact us as soon as possible.
How Long does it Take to get Paid on these Claims?We are of the same mind as you when it comes to settling your lawsuit as fast as possible. However, these are very complex legal cases due to the fact that they involve a government agency, as well as the extremely sensitive topic of child sexual assault. It’s our goal to resolve your case within the first 6 months, but realistically, it can take over a year to achieve a fair settlement award. Your case timeline may increase to over two years if we are unable to negotiate a settlement and going to trial is the only option.
Average Case Value of a Child Sexual Abuse LawsuitAlong with how long it will take to settle your case, you most likely have questions about the value of these lawsuits. Frankly, settlement values depend on various elements that are different from one claimant to another. As a result, we can only say that the majority of childhood sexual assault cases at our law firm are settled for around one to 7.5 million dollars. However, there are lawsuits that fall below or above this range, so you should make an appointment with one of our attorneys if you’re interested in learning what your own case is worth.
Time Limit to Sue for Incidents of Sexual AbuseFortunately, California is quite generous in terms of filing deadlines for sexual abuse lawsuits. If you were 18 years or older at the time of the abuse, you have 10 years to pursue a claim against the responsible entities. However, if you were under 18 at the time, your statute of limitations is much longer. Under the provisions of Assembly Bill 218, here is how long you have to sue for an incident of child sexual assault:
- Up to 22 years after turning the age of consent (40 years old).
- Up to 5 years after discovering that your physical / psychological injuries are associated with an act of sexual abuse during childhood.
As you can see, the law recognizes that children are not always ready to talk about their incident. Alternatively, they may not even be aware of what was done to them due to their lack of sexual experience or repressing the memories of sexual abuse. Some of these victims need intense therapy from a licensed therapist to unlock these memories, which is why more time needs to be given to adult survivors who are interested in taking legal action.
No matter how much time you have, it’s important to begin the claims process right away so that you are one step closer to receiving justice for the harm you’ve suffered. Contact DTLA Law Group to schedule a free case review.
Can I switch my lawyer even though I have a pending lawsuit? What are my rights if I’m not getting the time and attention I deserve from my attorney?
You are not alone if these questions are floating through your mind, as many plaintiffs are not getting the result they want from their law firm. Maybe you have a lawyer that constantly ignores your emails and phone calls, or there is no progress in your case after many weeks or months. If you’d like to discuss your legal options, including changing lawyers and continuing your lawsuit with us, call us today and schedule a free second opinion. If it turns out that you’d like to stay with your current lawyer, there is no fee for the consultation, so there’s nothing to lose by taking some time to meet with us.
Free Legal Services under the Zero Fee GuaranteeJuvenile detention facilities are entrusted with troubled teens from all walks of life, and rehabilitation and compassionate treatment should always be the focus when dealing with these children. However, acts of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are extremely common at these places due to the negligence of county agencies and employees. The lawyers of DTLA are ready to fight for you and the justice you are entitled to.
Along with experience and dedication, our law firm offers free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee. You pay nothing to hire one of our attorneys, as all our expenses are covered by the defendant at the end of your case. If it turns out that we don’t recover your settlement, you owe us absolutely nothing since we shouldn’t make a penny unless we win your case.
For a free case evaluation with a California sexual abuse lawsuit attorney, please contact our law firm.
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