The Dorothy Kirby Center, located at 1500 S. McDonnell Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90022, is a juvenile detention facility within Los Angeles County. According to the LA County Department of Health Services, DKC is meant for juvenile offenders with mental health needs. As a result, they are placed in specialized housing, where they can receive the care and attention they need from licensed professionals.
You would think that kids are safer at these places compared to the average youth detention center. Sadly, we know that this is not the case, based on the many victims who have come to us for help over the years. The juvenile justice system is rife with predatory individuals that target children, particularly those from abusive backgrounds. These kids may appear tough on the outside, but most of them are crying out for love and attention. Under these circumstances, it’s easy for child molesters and other abusive individuals to groom and use these children for sexual gratification.
Did you or someone you know suffer at the hands of abusive employees while staying at the Dorothy Kirby Center? Are you in search of a lawyer who can sue Dorothy Kirby Center for inappropriate touching, rape, attempted rape, child trafficking and other acts of juvenile hall sexual abuse? If so, contact us right away to learn about the legal actions that are available to you. The Dorothy Kirby Center abuse lawyers of Normandie look forward to speaking with you and ensuring that you are fully aware of your rights as a victim of sexual abuse during childhood.
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Living with Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse: A Lifelong Struggle
When people think about “inmates,” they tend to imagine hardened criminals or those who intentionally chose the wrong path. But things are different when the troubled individual is a child, who has not developed the capacity to think or act on their own. That’s why we make concessions for underage offenders that are housed in juvenile halls.
That means children at juvenile centers should be safe and well-cared for, but that’s far from the truth, according to countless victims of abuse at DKC. If anything, the confusion and turmoil these children are going through is used against them by people who wish to exploit children in the most depraved manner. These adults know that kids from troubled backgrounds are more vulnerable to grooming and other manipulations tactics by an adult that pretends to care about them. Furthermore, they are likely to stay silent about the abuse, as they are under the impression that no one will believe them.
Take, for example, a teenage girl who is admitted into the Dorothy Kirby Center and receives therapy for her mental health needs for the first time. Understandably, she becomes dependent on the therapist and looks forward to their sessions. Unfortunately, the counselor has ulterior motives in mind, and eventually starts to engage the girl in sexually inappropriate conversations. Over time, he begins to touch her in various ways until he is groping her breasts and committing other acts of sexual assault.
This type of interaction is all too common among juvenile inmates, especially those with mental health disorders. Victims of sexual assault by a counselor, probation officer, or any other adult working at DKC suffer in many ways from the trauma of their abuse. This is a lifetime struggle for most adult survivors of child sexual assault, and it’s unacceptable that the people responsible for these incidents go unpunished. In the meantime, the victim is left to cope with the shame, anger, and guilt, which can worsen their psychological condition. It’s no wonder that so many of them have trouble with interpersonal relationships, careers, and other aspects of a normal adulthood.
It would be a mistake to say that compensation from a Dorothy Kirby Center assault will fix all these problems and take away the pain of what you endured. But it can still help you to achieve a sense of justice and provide the necessary funds to live a productive and fulfilling life. It won’t happen overnight, but we promise you that we will not stop fighting until you are compensated by the parties that have injured you.
Lawsuits against the Dorothy Kirby Center for Sexual Abuse of Minors
So, let’s address the question that is clearly on your mind: Can I sue if I was sexually abused by someone at the Dorothy Kirby Center?
Yes, as a juvenile inmate, you can file a lawsuit for sexual assault if a probation officer, therapist, or any other employee at the facility had inappropriate sexual contact with you. This is an important distinction when it comes to sexual abuse claims against children. Adults, meaning individuals 18 or older, have the emotional and intellectual development to give consent when it comes to sexual activity. This is the guideline according to California law. Thus, anyone under the age of 18 cannot consent to sex with an adult, under any circumstance.
That means that arguments such as “She was flirting with me” and “He was already sexually active” are not acceptable forms of defense when there is a sexual relationship between minors and adults. Thus, liability for sexual assault lies completely with the adult, and the underage victim has a right to file a lawsuit for monetary compensation.
However, we also need to examine the people in charge of employees at a California juvenile detention center. In many of these cases, it’s clear that such incidents have gone on for many years, typically by the same group of individuals. So, how is it that these people are continually allowed to sexually abuse children under their care and supervision?
The fault often lies with county agencies, which are responsible for overseeing juvenile halls like DKC. Government officials are often aware of abuse incidents, like beatings and sexual assault that are committed by staff members. Even if they suspect incidents of abuse without having witnessed them, they are required to conduct an investigation and notify the proper authorities when a child’s physical and emotional well-being is at stake.
Unfortunately, these agencies have a tendency to ignore complaints of abuse or find ways to silence the victims. They may also destroy or hide evidence of abuse and make it difficult for the victim and their loved ones to seek legal remedies through the criminal courts. Even more disturbing, they will allow the offending employee to keep working at the facility. Or, they will transfer them to another juvenile hall, where they continue to victimize other innocent children.
As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to filing a California juvenile hall sexual abuse lawsuit. But you don’t have to be intimidated by the legal system when you have the lawyers of Normandie on your side.
How can I be Part of a Dorothy Kirby Center Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit?
An attorney at our office can help you join a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual abuse class action lawsuit. If there is no class action claim at the time you call, we can guide you through the process of initiating this type of lawsuit. Class actions are fairly common in lawsuits against large entities, where it’s likely that many people were injured in similar ways. Banding together and filing as a group is an effective strategy in many cases, but there are situations in which filing a lawsuit on your own is the better option.
To help you determine the best course of action, we are happy to provide you with a free case evaluation. This is your chance to learn about the pros and cons of a class action lawsuit and whether it’s the right choice for you and your loved ones. All it takes is contacting us here at our office and scheduling a time to meet with a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual assault lawsuit attorney.
Average Settlement Value of a Dorothy Kirby Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
On average, juvenile hall sexual abuse lawsuits are worth anywhere from $500,000 to over $3,000,000. Some of these settlements may be lower, perhaps within the $450,000 to $750,000 range, but the vast majority of claims result in payments of $1,000,000 or more.
To understand what you can receive from a lawsuit, please take some to speak with a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual assault lawyer. There are many elements that are unique to your case, like the injuries you’ve sustained, the acts of abuse, and liability by government agencies, like the LA County Probation Department. In particular, cover up attempts by organizations plays a big role in these cases, which may result in treble damages. This is a special form of compensation awarded by juries, where a victim receives 3 times their settlement amount when the defendant attempts to hide or conceal evidence of child sexual assault.
If you were sexually abused at Dorothy Kirby Center, our lawyers can help you figure out the approximate of your case. Contact us for a free case evaluation with a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual abuse attorney.
Time Limit for a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Figuring out how long you have for a child sexual abuse lawsuit can be quite complicated in California. There are two standards we will need to look at in order to determine the statute of limitations. First, you can choose to file a lawsuit within 22 years of your 18th birthday. Essentially, you have until the age of 40 to speak with a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual molestation lawyer, who can help you initiate a lawsuit.
Another perspective has to do with repression of sexual abuse, whether it’s on purpose or on a subconscious level. Alternatively, some victims do not understand that they have been sexually assaulted, which is very common with incidents of sexual abuse during childhood. Either way, the victim is unable to deal with the impact of being sexually abused until a later date, most likely as an adult. For these cases, the law provides a 5-year discovery rule. That means you can file a lawsuit within 5 years from the discovery of psychological and/or physical injuries if you were sexually assaulted at the Dorothy Kirby Center.
Remember that it’s important to take action as soon as possible, regardless of how much time is left to pursue a case for monetary damages. The Dorothy Kirby Center sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie are here for you day and night, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Settling a Juvenile Hall Sexual Assault Claim – How Long Does it Take?
It can take anywhere from several months to one or more years to settle a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual abuse lawsuit. Frankly, we would say these are among the most complicated legal cases when it comes to personal injury. Due to the sensitive nature of the abuse, the involvement of government entities, and many other factors, these lawsuits can sometimes take up to several years.
Much of this timeline has to do with building a strong and compelling case and undertaking the procedures that are required for compensation claims against the government. In addition, no state or county agency wants to be accused of sexual abuse against minors. Generally, these entities will fight vigorously to distance themselves from the perpetrator and their criminal activities.
You may have concerns about your lawsuit going to trial, but this happens in less than 5% of all Dorothy Kirby Center abuse cases. Typically, settlements are reached between us and the defendant (or multiple defendants), but it can take over 2 years before that happens.
If you have questions about the case settlement process, contact us for a free consultation with a Dorothy Kirby Center abuse attorney.
Lawyers with Experience in Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Cases
Each victim of juvenile hall sexual assault has their own struggles to deal with, but we can all agree that such incidents should never have happened in the first place. Tragically, the vast majority of sexual abuse against children could have been prevented, had the people in charge acted in accordance with California laws on child abuse.
Whether you need a seasoned personal injury lawyer or a Dorothy Kirby Center class action lawsuit attorney, we have the right legal expert here at Normandie Law Firm. Along with a free case review to discuss your rights and legal options, we are ready to provide you with a Zero Fee Guarantee. That way, you can take immediate action on a Dorothy Kirby Center sexual assault lawsuit without having to worry about legal fees. Our payment is contingent on winning your case, and if we fail to recover your settlement, you owe us $0 for any of our services.
As there is nothing to lose, please take a moment to contact our law firm and speak to a childhood sexual assault lawyer.
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