Were you sexually or physically abused while you were in a foster care placement that was arranged by Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services? Do you believe that the agency knew about or should have known about these incidents, but failed to take the appropriate actions? Sadly, negligence and willful misconduct by foster care agencies is very common in the state of California. As a result, many children in the foster care system are vulnerable to physical, mental, and sexual abuse.
Along with foster care placements, Sycamores Health Services is in charge of mental health and other family-related services within the county of Los Angeles. That means they are in charge of monitoring children at various facilities throughout the county and ensuring that they are protected from predatory adults. Failure in the duty of care to a minor can result in criminal charges, but it can also lay the foundation for a child sexual abuse lawsuit.
For more information on how to sue Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, contact us to discuss your case with a foster care abuse lawsuit attorney.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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Can I Sue a Foster Care Agency for Sexual Abuse?
Yes, you can sue the agency in charge of your case for sexual abuse if they failed in their duty of care to you. By duty of care, we are talking about many duties and responsibilities that have to do with the protection of a minor in the foster care system. Here are some examples of how Sycamores Health Services can be sued for negligence by a sex abuse victim:
- Insufficient or lack of screening procedures on foster parents / homes
- Failing to report child abuse allegations to the authorities
- Failure to immediately remove children from placements when there is suspicion of sexual / physical abuse
- Inadequate supervision of the child (failing to make visits to the home or speak to the child to see how they’re being treated)
- Hiding or destroying records having to do with sexual abuse allegations
Unfortunately, lack of supervision and accountability is a huge problem within family services programs. There are many reasons as to why these things happen, but the law is clear on what these children need and deserve. That’s why you are allowed to file a lawsuit against Hathaway-Sycamores if their negligence or misconduct caused you unnecessary harm.
Statute of Limitations to File a Lawsuit against Hathaway-Sycamores
If you were sexually abused in the foster care system, you have up until your 40th birthday (22 years after turning 18) to file a lawsuit. However, the age requirement is not applicable in every situation. Many victims suffer from the psychological damage of child abuse for many years. But after considerable efforts to repress those memories, they are unable to see how the abuse they endured is connected to their physical / mental health issues.
Medical professionals, including a licensed therapist, can help them understand the wounds they’ve suffered due to sexual assault while they were in the foster care system. If the victim is older than 40 when this happens, they still have 5 years to sue Hathaway-Sycamores for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other monetary damages.
The deadline to file a lawsuit is a complicated issue when it comes to the abuse of children. To ensure that you get this right, please contact a foster care abuse lawsuit lawyer as soon as possible.
Foster Care Child Abuse Lawsuit Values
Settlements for lawsuits involving the abuse of minors are worth around $450,000 to $3,500,000 on average. As a general rule, sexual abuse cases have the highest values, usually around $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. In the most severe cases of physical and/or emotional injury caused by gross negligence, the settlement value for a Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services lawsuit may be $10,000,000 or more.
Keep in mind that foster care children abuse cases involve many different elements that are used to determine the amount that is paid to the victim. Since these elements are unique to each individual, we suggest that you speak with a lawyer that’s experienced in lawsuits against foster care agencies.
How Long will it Take for my Case to be Settled?
It takes around 1 to 3 years to fully resolve a case for abuse within the foster care system, especially when the allegations involve sexual assault. From time to time, we are able to reach a settlement in 6 to 12 months, but most lawsuits take longer to settle. If we are able to negotiate directly with Sycamores Health Services, we can probably settle your claim in 12 to 18 months. In the event we have to go to trial, it can take 3 years or more to settle a negligence by foster care agency lawsuit. This is rare, however, as more than 95% of these lawsuits are settled before the trial date.
Contact Our Law Firm
The impact of sexual abuse is particularly devastating when you are a child that’s coming from a background of abuse and neglect. Instead of supervision and guidance by caring adults, you were subjected to acts of sexual assault and other forms of abusive treatment. Such agencies should be held accountable for their failures and made to compensate the victims for their harm and suffering.
We are here for you day and night if you need legal advice from a child sexual abuse lawsuit attorney. As someone that’s already involved in a lawsuit, feel free to call us for a free second opinion on your case.
A private consultation will help you decide if a lawsuit is right for you. If so, we are more than prepared to fight for the settlement you deserve from Sycamores Child and Family Services. However, there is no need to worry about legal fees, which are paid by the defendant. Since our expenses are covered by a portion of your settlement award, you pay $0 if we don’t win your case.
To learn more about the Zero Fee Guarantee we offer to clients, as well as your rights and legal options, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
What is the Average Value of a Juvenile Justice Campus Commitment Facility Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
What is the Average Value of a Youthful Offender Treatment Program Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
What is the Average Value of a Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
