No child should have to face sexual abuse while attending school, and no parent or guardian should be forced to learn that an academic institution failed to prevent it. Every student should be able to pursue an education without being placed in harm’s way.
At Arias Sanguinetti, our school sexual abuse lawyer in Oakland will do everything in our power to protect you or a loved one while pursuing justice.
With over 300 years of combined experience, our team of attorneys handles complex cases, including class actions against large institutions. We work to hold all liable parties, from public, charter, and private educational institutions, accountable.
Our Oakland sexual abuse lawyers pursue compensation for therapy, medical care, and pain and suffering so you or a loved one can heal. Call us today for a free consultation.
How Our Oakland School Sexual Abuse Attorneys Pursue Justice
At Arias Sanguinetti, our Oakland personal injury lawyers provide personalized attention to our clients and prepare each case as if it is going to trial. As the first law firm to take a class action to trial in California, Arias Sanguinetti is dedicated to holding perpetrators and the entities that enabled liable for the harm you or your child endured.
We build strong cases and offer responsive representation throughout the following process:
- Conducting thorough investigations: We prepare trial-ready cases by collecting and examining all applicable evidence. Our team of Oakland school sexual abuse lawyers may work with local private investigators to gather police reports, school records, and employment histories.
- Holding mandatory reporters accountable: School personnel, such as teachers, administrators, and other staff, qualify as mandatory reporters in California, meaning they have a legal and ethical obligation to report any suspected abuse. If an institutional cover-up or oversight occurred, we work to hold higher-ups, such as school districts, responsible for negligent hiring, lack of supervision, and other forms of neglect.
- Pursuing economic damages: We also pursue financial compensation that helps survivors access the medical care, such as therapy, they need to heal and begin rebuilding their lives.
- Representing you in trial: Our team of attorneys is best known for representing clients in the USC Tyndall case, helping open a new statute of limitations for survivors of sexual assault. With extensive resources, we take on even the most complex litigation, including high-profile cases where we’ve recovered over $1.5 billion in damages.
When you have our school sexual abuse attorney in Oakland handling your case, you can rest assured you have a dedicated advocate, allowing you to approach the civil litigation process without feeling alone.
Signs That Indicate Your Child Is Experiencing Sexual Abuse at School
Recognizing the signs of sexual abuse in children may not be easy since many survivors may be unaware of the harm they suffered or do not want to discuss what happened. Still, certain physical and behavioral indicators may occur, such as the following:
- Sudden withdrawal from family, friends, or school activities is a common behavioral indicator. They may also stop talking, making eye contact, and expressing themselves like they normally would.
- Your child may exhibit unusual behaviors, including regressive behavior, such as wetting the bed.
- They may have an unexplained fear of certain people, places, or situations.
- You may notice increased aggression, anger, or emotional outbursts.
- Sexualized behavior or knowledge that seems age-inappropriate is often a sign of sexual abuse.
- Your child may experience difficulty concentrating on their academics, and their grades may suddenly drop.
- Unexplained bruises or bleeding can occur in cases of child sexual assault.
- Consistent urinary tract infections and stomach pain can be physical symptoms of sexual assault.
If you suspect your child is suffering sexual abuse at their school, aftercare, or other academic environment, report your concerns immediately to law enforcement and other appropriate channels. Then, consult our team of attorneys to understand your legal options for seeking justice.
Oakland School Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
New Laws in California Have Extended the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Recent legislation in California has made groundbreaking strides toward ensuring survivors of sexual abuse have more opportunities to hold their perpetrators and other liable parties legally responsible.
Our Oakland school sexual abuse lawyers can determine how long you have to file a lawsuit and streamline your case as much as possible to obtain the justice you deserve. Depending on the age of a survivor, the following laws apply:
- 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 sexual abuse of a child occurring on or after January 1, 2024, no statute of limitations applies.
- Assembly Bill 2777 (AB 2777): Adult survivors can file sexual assault lawsuits for incidents that took place on or after January 1, 2009, regardless of the statute of limitations expiring. This lookback window opened on January 1, 2023, and closes on December 31, 2026.
- 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 resulting injuries to take civil action.
A different lookback window applies to institutional cover-ups of sexual assault, and this window ended on December 31, 2023. The law does not require survivors of sexual assault to provide physical evidence. If you are filing a government claim, you generally only have six months to file.
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Let Our Oakland School Sexual Abuse Lawyers Advocate for You or Your Child
Filing any type of civil lawsuit can be stressful. Seeking justice for child abuse requires experienced, compassionate legal representation. Our school sexual abuse attorneys in Oakland are here to offer you responsive, dedicated, and client-focused legal services.
We are ready to stand by your side during negotiations and in the courtroom, fighting for justice, accountability, and the results you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, allowing you to access legal representation without any financial risk.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
