Parents expect teachers, administrators, and other school staff to keep their children safe. When sexual abuse occurs in schools, it can cause immense trauma that children may not recognize until years later.
At Arias Sanguinetti, our school sexual abuse lawyers in Los Angeles will do everything in our power to hold perpetrators and enablers liable. Recent changes in California law allow adult survivors to seek justice and compensation, as well.
Our team of lawyers has served tens of thousands of clients, including sexual abuse survivors in large class actions involving high-profile institutions like USC and UCLA. Call us today to learn how our Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyers can advocate for you.
Who Can Be Held Liable for School Sexual Abuse?
Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers may hold multiple parties accountable when a child suffers abuse in an educational setting. Liability does not necessarily end with the predator.
School boards and other institutions can bear responsibility if administrators failed to respond to known risks, ignored credible complaints, or discouraged mandatory reporting.
California law imposes a legal duty on teachers, administrators, and other school personnel to report any suspected child abuse or neglect.
California Penal Code § 11165.7 considers these individuals to be mandatory reporters, requiring them to notify law enforcement or child protective services when they reasonably suspect abuse. Failing to report abuse is a violation of this law and can lead to both civil and criminal liability.
Potentially Liable Parties
Aside from the perpetrator, our school sexual abuse attorneys in Los Angeles may identify the following parties as liable in your case:
- School staff members: Teachers, coaches, or other employees who failed to report or prevent abuse may be liable.
- School administrators: Principals, superintendents, or other officials who ignore complaints, cover up abuse, or fail to act on credible allegations may bear liability for institutional negligence.
- The school district: We may also find a school district shares fault if it failed to implement background checks on employees or enforce proper hiring and supervision procedures.
- Third-party contractors: Individuals like volunteers, janitorial staff, or outside vendors for school events may have also committed or enabled abuse.
Whether your child attends a public, private, or charter school, our Los Angeles school sexual abuse lawyers at Arias Sanguinetti will do everything in our power to protect your child’s rights, safety, and opportunity to hold liable parties accountable.
How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuit?
It can take decades for survivors to understand the harm they endured and choose to pursue justice, especially in cases of abuse involving minors. Whether you are a parent or guardian seeking justice or an adult survivor doing so, our Los Angeles school sexual abuse lawyers will be here to stand by your side.
California’s laws on how long survivors have to file a civil lawsuit have recently changed, extending the time limits in several different ways. Still, these laws can be very confusing, and figuring out your legal options without an attorney can prove difficult.
Arias Sanguinetti is ready to listen to your story and help you take legal action to hold liable parties responsible and obtain compensation that can help you heal.
Survivors Who Were Minors (Under 18) When the Abuse Occurred
The following laws have extended the statute of limitations for child survivors:
- Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218): Survivors can file lawsuits until their 40th birthday or five years after they discover the child abuse occurred or its impact on them. Whichever timeframe is later applies.
- Assembly Bill 452 (AB 452): For incidents occurring on or after January 1, 2024, no statute of limitations applies.
Survivors Who Were Adults (18 or Older) When the Abuse Occurred
The following laws have extended the statute of limitations for adult survivors:
- California Code of Civil Procedure 340.16: Adult survivors have either ten years from the date of the assault or three years from the time of discovering the assault and resulting injuries to file a lawsuit.
- Assembly Bill 2777 (AB 2777): This law created a specific lookback window for adult survivors to file sexual assault lawsuits that took place on or after January 1, 2009, regardless of the statute of limitations expiring. This window opened on January 1, 2023, and closes on December 31, 2026.
California law also does not require survivors to provide physical evidence in order to file a claim.
Los Angeles School Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Why Survivors Trust Los Angeles School Sexual Abuse Attorneys From Arias Sanguinetti
At Arias Sanguinetti, we have the dedication and resources to stand by survivors. The following qualities set us apart from other attorneys.
Extensive Trial Experience
Our team at Arias Sanguinetti is prepared to take cases to trial if that is necessary to achieve justice and fair compensation. We pursue justice in court to ensure perpetrators and institutions are held accountable.
We do this through thorough case preparation, including comprehensive investigations, sometimes while working with local private investigators.
Proven Ability With Difficult Cases
Many school abuse cases involve large organizations, and we are not afraid to take on high-profile cases, including class action lawsuits.
Our team of lawyers has recovered over $1.5 billion in verdicts and settlements for our previous clients across a range of litigation. Notably, our work on the USC Tyndall helped open a new statute of limitations for survivors of sexual assault.
Personalized, Client-Focused Representation
Even as we handle large-scale litigation, we keep the individual clients at the forefront of our minds. For example, we help clients secure medical liens, allowing them to receive necessary medical care with a commitment to repay as part of their future recovery.
We Work on Contingency
Arias Sanguinetti lawyers work on a contingency basis, so there are no costs to share and nothing preventing you or delaying you from starting your legal case. We aim to always deliver justice, accountability, and results.
Click to contact our Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Lawyers today
Call Us to Hire Our Los Angeles School Sexual Abuse Lawyers
At Arias Sanguinetti, our goal is to help survivors reclaim their lives by recovering the resources they need to heal and move forward. Our Los Angeles school sexual abuse lawyer can pursue damages for medical treatment, including therapy, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to listen to your story, in your own words, and advocate for you throughout the legal process.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
