How much can I Receive from a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit against MacLaren Hall?

We’re all familiar with allegations of abuse in the foster care system and how children were harmed for many years before the authorities stepped in. MacLaren Hall, also known as MacLaren Children’s Center, is one of these tragic cases. In a lawsuit filed by 12 victims, the former residential home was called a “house of horrors,” where children in the Los Angeles County’s foster care system were repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse. Allegations include children as young as 5, who were pulled out of their beds at night and secretly abused by MacLaren employees. The brave children who spoke up and reported their abusers were largely ignored, or physically abused for “snitching.”

Foster care abuse is all too common due to a number of reasons. Improper screening or training of employees is a primary cause, along with the agency’s failure to take complaints seriously. In many cases, abuse reports are conveniently “lost” or destroyed, or the staff member is moved to another housing unit where they go on to abuse more victims. Such foster care centers, along with the agencies responsible for overseeing them, must be brought to justice in the criminal and civil courts. If you or a family member experienced sexual abuse during your stay at MacLaren Hall, it’s essential to speak with a child sexual abuse lawyer right away. Here at Normandie, we’ve worked with victims of sex abuse from all walks of life, including those who were placed in residential facilities throughout the state of California.

Clients who come to see us for the first time have many questions, including:

“What is the average value of a sexual abuse case against MacLaren Hall?”

This is a complicated question to answer, since each sexual abuse case has its own set of factors. The age of the victim, the degree and types of abuse, its impact on the victims’ life – all these are relevant in the determination of a compensation award. However, we can provide you information regarding past settlements for lawsuits involving sexual abuse within the foster care system. We will also educate you on the types of compensation you can receive and what you can expect once a lawsuit is filed. But keep in mind that we can only offer general information, as we are unaware of the details related to your own case. To learn about your rights and legal options, contact the lawyers of Normandie and schedule a free consultation.

What is the Compensation Value is I was Sexually Assaulted at MacLaren Hall?

The amount you could receive as a sexual abuse victim at MacLaren Hall is based on the level of harm that you’ve suffered and how your life was affected as a result of your abuse. In the recent lawsuit against MacLaren Hall, plaintiffs recalled incidents ranging from groping to rape. In the most egregious incident, a plaintiff found herself pregnant by her rapist, and was forced to have the baby while still living at MacLaren Hall. The long-lasting impact of sexual abuse cannot be overestimated, especially with children who are coming from abusive situations.

While money does not make up for the devastation of child sexual abuse, victims can recover various forms of compensation for what they’ve endured. A foster care sex abuse lawsuit may include the following damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Cost of therapy for mental health disorders
• Medical bills for physical injuries
• Lost wages / lost earning capacity
• Legal fees
• Punitive damages

A good number of foster care abuse cases involve punitive damages, which are awarded by the jury in cases of gross negligence. Essentially, the defendant’s actions were especially outrageous and as a result, they deserve “punishment” in the form of additional payments to the victim. We expect punitive damages will play a significant role in lawsuits against MacLaren Hall. This is, after all, a facility where children were regularly beaten and sexually assaulted by staff, yet nothing was done by the governing agencies for many years. In fact, it took a class-action lawsuit in 2002 to finally close down the home, and even then, authorities tried to bury accusations of sexual abuse by former child residents.

There is no limit to the amount of punitive damages you can receive in California. Thus, courts are very careful about awarding this type of compensation. Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to recover punitive damages if your case meets the qualifications. For more information on the types of compensation that may be available to you, please contact our office at your earliest convenience.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Previous Verdicts for Foster Care Sex Abuse Cases

To get a sense of what you could receive in a lawsuit, here are some cases involving foster care abuse from around the country. The value of your own case will be different, but these settlements are a promising sign for victims who were betrayed by the foster care system.

• A lawsuit was settled in May 2021 for 7 men who were residents of the Centralia group home in Washington. The boys, ranging from 11 to 17 years old, were sexually abused by staff members, facility directors, and other residents. Some of them were sent to homes where they were sexually abused, compounding their pain and anguish. The home was managed by Kiwanis International, who settled with the plaintiffs for $6 million.

• A deaf and developmentally disabled boy was repeatedly raped and sexually tortured by residents at the Tampa Bay Academy in Florida. These residents were minors with known histories of sexual violence, yet the victim was regularly left alone with them. He was not the only victim and Tampa Bay knew of complaints from other residents. Still, they took no action, even when they were put on notice by Florida’s Department of Children and Families. Due to the abuse, the boy will have life-long gastrointestinal problems, along with mental health issues, including paranoia, hallucinations, and severe mood swings. The case was settled with Tampa Bay Academy’s insurers for $4 million.

• In a New York class-action lawsuit, 8 plaintiffs sued various NY State agencies for placing them with an abusive foster mother. The woman took in a total of 22 foster children over several decades and used the money meant for their care to live a lavish lifestyle. The kids, in the meanwhile, were starved, locked up, and frequently kept out of school. It was found that basic monitoring and oversight could have prevented the abuse. The case was settled for $26 million.

• A 17-year old victim sued for the abuse he endured in multiple foster homes, all before he was 3 years old. His lawsuit alleged that New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services and the foster agency chosen by them failed to screen the parents prior to placing the boy in their home. The victim recovered $1.25 million from New Jersey DYFS for his physical and psychological injuries. However, the agency that placed him could not be sued according to the presiding judge as they were a non-profit entity. His lawyers have appealed the decision and plan to fight for additional compensation.

• A case was filed in Philadelphia on behalf of a girl who was 5 years old at the time of the abuse. She was placed in a home with foster parents that had a record of child abuse. Incredibly, the agency failed to conduct adequate background checks or supervise the parents after the child’s placement. As a result, the girl suffered various forms of physical and sexual abuse. The case went to trial where the jury awarded the girl $11 million.

How long does it take to Settle my Case if I File a Lawsuit?

Foster care sexual abuse cases can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to settle. Frankly, it depends on how hard the responsible parties will fight your claim. The timeline of a case can also be affected by the type of lawsuit that’s being filed. Class action lawsuits, for example, can take several years as they involve many victims. Furthermore, the courts have to certify a lawsuit as a class action, which can take some time due the court’s schedule. But single action lawsuits can be lengthy as well, especially if they go to trial.

One thing that’s in your favor is the on-going media attention on childhood sexual abuse victims. In recent years, there has been heavy media focus on abusive foster care group homes like Tampa Bay Academy in Florida and Sequel group homes in Washington. Furthermore, childhood sexual assault victims have come forward with allegations against religious organizations and programs, like the Boy Scouts of America. Due to the negative press, large institutions are more willing to negotiate settlements and close the case as soon as possible. But even if the foster agency is willing to settle, it really depends on how long it takes to agree on the numbers. Hopefully, both sides will agree on a settlement within a few months. But if the other side is unwilling to budge past a certain amount, your only other option is to file a lawsuit.

Once a lawsuit if filed, it could take a year or more to resolve your case. However, we will do everything we can to resolve your case without court intervention. Typically, we ask for mediation soon after the filing of a lawsuit. This method has a 95% success rate, so it’s very possible your case will be resolved through mediation. But if the other side continues to resist, we will take your case to trial and wait for the jury’s verdict.

Again, a trial is rare as more and more foster homes are being exposed for sexual abuse. Many of these places want to settle and avoid negative attention, but negotiating a fair settlement won’t happen overnight.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a MacLaren Hall Sexual Assault Case?

How long do I have to wait to get my settlement check? As previously discussed, there are many factors that can affect the time that claimants have to wait before their claims settle. Here at our law firm, we aim to settle all cases, including sexual abuse cases, in as little as six to eight months. We understand the frustration that comes with the legal process especially after such a traumatic experience, so we always work towards settling these cases as quickly as possible – of course, without ever sacrificing settlement value.

It is important to understand that even minor complications can significantly delay the settlement process. Minor issues can prolong the settlement process to around twelve months. Moderate issues, similarly, can prolong the settlement process to around eighteen months. More complex issues can result in claims taking up to two years to settle.

Unfortunately, cases can sometimes take even longer than two years to settle. When you allow our experts to handle your lawsuit, you can trust that our lawyers will always prioritize settling your case as quickly and efficiently as possible.

For more information about how long it could take to settle your MacLaren Hall child sexual abuse case, contact our experts today. We can help you get the settlement that you deserve.

How Much Time do I Have to file a Lawsuit?

Childhood sexual abuse victims have up the age of 40 or 5 years from the discovery of the abuse to file a lawsuit, whichever comes later. Additionally, victims who were previously barred from monetary damages due to the statute of limitations were given a 3-year window to pursue a claim. These protections are offered under California’s Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218). Under this bill, victims can also sue for treble, or triple damages if the liable entities deliberately hid or falsified allegations of sexual abuse. That means they can be awarded three times the damages that they would normally be entitled to.

While this is a groundbreaking law for child sex abuse victims, there are aspects of the bill that may be confusing. If you’re uncertain as to your right to file a lawsuit, contact us right away and speak to one of our attorneys. We can address all your questions and concerns and ensure that your compensation claim is filed on time.

The Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers of Normandie

Child sexual abuse is one of the most outrageous crimes in our society, yet so many victims fail to get justice for the harm that was done to them. This is obvious based on the hundreds of victims who recall the abuse they endured at MacLaren Hall. These victims deserve compassion and respect, as well as the knowledge that their attackers were punished for their crimes. That principle is what guides us here at Normandie when we take on a case of foster home sexual abuse. We know the heart break that victims go through when the agencies charged with their protection fail to keep them safe from sexual predators. The betrayal cuts even deeper when these agencies deny their claims for monetary compensation.

Our lawyers have the passion and experience to fight for your rights. We will ensure that you are compensated for your physical and emotional trauma, even if that means going to trial. As a victim, you are not the one who should be responsible for legal fees, which is why we offer a Zero fee guarantee. That means all our fees are deferred until we win your case. And if we fail to recover the settlement you deserve, you will not be responsible for a single penny.

If you were a victim of sexual abuse at MacLaren Hall or any other foster care home, please take the chance of speaking with one of our lawyers. We look forward to advising you and doing everything we can to assist with your recovery.