MacLaren Hall (which is now called the MacLaren Children’s Center) opened up in the 1940s. It was designed to be a haven for children who were unwanted or had been abandoned or abused. However, due to overcrowding at juvenile halls, children with criminal backgrounds were also housed at MacLaren Hall; this resulted in the facility being run more like a prison. At it’s peak, MacLaren Hall housed over 4,000 children.
The facility operated for over 40 years. However, it was forced to shut down after a class action filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California proved that the Los Angeles County failed to provide the children at MacLaren Hall with adequate medical care.
Its been about twenty years since the facility was closed and converted into county offices. In June 2022, another class action lawsuit was filed against the county on behalf at 12 people. The lawsuit claims that the 12 claimants were sexually abused during their time living at MacLaren Hall. According to the lawsuit, victims that were as young as five-years-old were pulled out of their beds at night and abused by employees. Victims claimed that their reports were ignored and that they were actually further abused for reporting.
The situation with foster care is very unfortunate. Sexual abuse continues to be a major issue. MacLaren Hall as well as other foster facilities are supposed to be safe spaces for children in the foster care system, but instead they were subjected to horrifying abuse.
If you lived at MacLaren Hall and suffered sexual abuse, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. For more information about the legal options available to you, including whether you could participate in a class action lawsuit, contact us today. The lawyers here at the Normandie Law Firm have decades of experience handling all sorts of claims, including child sexual abuse claims. Our lawyers are ready to handle your claim and fight for your rights.
Do I Have the Right to Sue?
Yes – if you suffered sexual assault as a child during your stay at MacLaren Hall, you could have the right to file a lawsuit as the facility (and the county running the facility) failed to protect you. Without a doubt, childhood sexual assault can have lasting effects, including physical harm, mental harm, and emotional harm. For more information about your right to sue and your right to recover compensation, contact us today. With the help of a law firm that is handling these cases, you can sue for the harm that you suffered as a child.
Can a Family Member File a Lawsuit on behalf of a Minor? Yes – in childhood sex abuse cases, parents have the right to file lawsuits on behalf of their child. Although this is definitely an option, it is also important to note that victims will be able to sue on their own once they turn eighteen years old. If a parent sues on the child’s behalf prior to this, then the victim will not be able to pursue his or her individual claim as an adult.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$54 Million
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$525,000
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Is there a Class Action Claim?
For the MacLaren Hall sexual abuse, specifically, there is a class action claim. The claim has been brought forward by 12 victims. How do I join the lawsuit? To join the lawsuit, you must seek legal assistance as soon as possible. An experienced class action lawsuit lawyer will be able to guide you every step of the way to ensure that you are included in the lawsuit. For more information about participating in a class action lawsuit on this matter, contact us today.
The Compensation Available for Recovery
Some of the different categories of compensation often available for child sexual abuse claims include the following:
- Medical costs
- Mental health service expenses
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
Here at our law firm, our lawyers are fully committed to getting you the compensation that you are owed. For more information about the compensation that you could be eligible to receive, contact us today.
What is the Average Value of these Cases?
How much can I possibly recover for my MacLaren Hall lawsuit? How much can I be awarded? What is the average value of these types of cases? Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to place a value on these types of cases, since these cases vary so much. Some of the factors that determine the value of a case include the type of abuse, the harm resulting from the abuse, and whether the harm was long-lasting or permanent, for instance. Another important factor to consider is whether the abuse was covered up – as this could actually result in the claimant being awarded a higher payout.
In general, these types of cases can be worth millions of dollars. Class action lawsuits, specifically, have been associated with multi-million-dollar settlements in the past. For more information about the possible value of your lawsuit, contact the experts here at our law firm immediately.
How Long Does It Take to Settle?
The settlement process varies significantly from case to case. Here at our law firm, we are committed to settling these types of cases within just a few months – normally within six to eight months. We understand that victims of child sexual abuse have already had to deal with the trauma for many years. For some victims, having to start the legal process and wait for a settlement can open up past wounds and cause additional trauma. Because of this, we are committed to getting our clients as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, getting a quick settlement is not always possible. There are many factors that can affect the time that it ultimately takes to settle a case, one of the most important being the type of case that is being filed. Single action lawsuits, in general, can typically be settled within two years. Class action lawsuits, however, often take many years to settle. This is because the case consists of many claimants, and it often takes time for these cases to be prepared. Additionally, certification is required for class action lawsuits, which, of course, takes time.
For more information about how long it could take to settle your MacLaren Hall sexual abuse lawsuit, contact us immediately. Our lawyers are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
How long do I have to file a lawsuit? This is easily one of the most common questions that our law firm has received. If you suffered sexual abuse as a child, this might have been the first questions that you asked yourself. Under California law, victims of childhood sexual abuse have up until the age of 40 (or 22 years after turning 18), or 5 years after discovering the harm caused by the sexual abuse to file their lawsuits. Without a doubt, this can be confusing. For more information about the total length of time that you have to file your lawsuit, contact the experts here at our law firm immediately.
Find a Layer with Experience in Foster Care Sexual Abuse at Normandie Law Firm
If you suffered sexual assault at Maclaren Hall, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. If you are interested in learning more about your right to file a lawsuit, do not hesitate to reach out to the experts here at our law firm immediately. Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience handling all sorts of claims, including foster care sexual abuse cases. You can trust that our lawyers are ready to provide you with all the information that you need to take on your claim and fight for your rights.
Free Case Reviews – We offer free initial consultations and free second opinions. What does this mean? Whether you are looking to start the legal process or redirect it after starting it elsewhere, our lawyers can help you. During these free legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions and provide you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your MacLaren Hall lawsuit. If you are ready to benefit from our free legal services and speak with our lawyers, contact us immediately.
Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that our clients will never be required to pay any upfront legal fees for any of our legal services. In addition, we work on a strict contingency structure; this means that our claimants will not be responsible for paying anything until after winning their lawsuit. If you do not win, you will not be responsible for paying anything at all.
If you are ready to speak with our lawyers, contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible. Our child sex abuse lawyers are ready to help you every step of the way.
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