On May 31, 2024, 95 men and 13 women filed lawsuits against the State of Illinois for sexual abuse they allegedly endured at various juvenile halls. The cases, which date back to the 1990s, involve disturbing incidents of sexual assault and abuse by guards, counselors, and teachers that worked for the state of Illinois juvenile justice system. Each of the plaintiffs has asked for $2,000,000 in damages, the maximum amount allowed by law in Illinois.
According to the victims, many of the staff members preyed on the children for months, promising reduced sentences or special privileges if they stayed quiet about the abuse. One plaintiff alleged that she was sexually groped by one of the guards when she was a 15-year-old inmate at a Warrenville detention center. She said that she was almost raped in the showers by the same guard, and later on, another guard sexually assaulted her in one of the bathrooms. The guard who attempted to rape her in the showers told her that she would be placed in solitary confinement if she told anyone about what happened.
Another victim said he was bribed by guards to engage in sexual acts with them when he was a 13-year-old inmate at a St. Charles facility in the late 90s. In exchange for allowing them to abuse him, they gave him extra food, time outside his cell, and other privileges. When he did go to someone for help, he said the guards locked him in his cell as punishment. The plaintiff also spent time in two other juvenile halls, where he was also subjected to sexual assault by the guards.
So far, over 200 former inmates have filed claims for sexual abuse at Illinois youth detention centers within the past few months. But Illinois is far from the only state that is facing backlash for decades of juvenile inmate abuse. Los Angeles County, for example, has been hit with a series of lawsuit by former youth offenders who were sexually abused at juvenile halls and camps throughout the county. More than 600 survivors have filed a lawsuit, and some of these incidents go back as far as 1972.
Perhaps you or someone in your family was subjected to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other acts of child sexual abuse while staying at a California youth detention facility. Our law firm is currently investigating claims of juvenile hall sex abuse on behalf of former juvenile inmates, and we can do the same for you. During a free consultation, we will answer any questions you have about your rights and legal options, and talk to you about the steps we can take on your behalf. Please contact us today and speak to a lawyer with experience in lawsuits for sexual abuse at California youth detention centers.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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Average Settlement Value for Juvenile Inmates Who were Sexually Abused
You can generally expect compensation amounts of 6 and 7 figures if you were sexually abused by a juvenile justice staff member. For those who were subjected to sexual assault, which is any physical contact of a sexual nature between minors and adults, settlements are usually in the range of $1,500,000 to $5,000,000. In cases of sexual harassment and exploitation, like grooming, sexting, and sharing pornography with a minor, payments will probably fall under $1,000,000.
Please note that you should not rely on estimates if you would like to find out the total sum of damages you are entitled to as a victim of sexual abuse. The best course of action is to contact our law firm and ask for help from a juvenile inmate sexual abuse lawyer.
How Long it Takes to Settle a Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuit
While there is no way to predict how long it will take to settle your case, we know from experience that youth inmate assault and abuse claims typically take between 1 and 2 years. For the handful of cases that go to trial, recovering payment on behalf of the client is likely to be a process of 3 or more years.
Lawsuits for child abuse at a government institution are extremely complex legal actions on their own. On top of that, it’s likely that you are one of many people with claims against the same entity (State of California, for example). These and many other factors play a role in the amount of time to resolve a youth detention center inmate abuse lawsuit.
Deadline to File a Claim for Child Sexual Abuse
In the state of California, there are two deadlines that can be used to determine how much time you have for a child sexual assault / exploitation lawsuit. The first standard allows victims to file a claim up to 22 years from when they turn 18 years old. That means the statute of limitations to sue for sexual misconduct by a juvenile hall employee is the date of your 40th birthday.
Now, let’s look at the second standard for child sex abuse lawsuits, which is known as the discovery rule. Unlike the 22-year rule, there is no specific age or number of years that apply under the discovery rule. Instead, you are given 5 years from whenever you realize an injury (mental or physical) that was caused by sexual abuse while you were a minor.
This legal principle is commonly used in cases of adults that have lived with the psychological impact of sexual abuse for many years. But they are unable to come to terms with these events and connect them to specific mental health issues like low self-esteem, reliance on drugs / alcohol, suicidal thoughts, and chronic depression.
Regardless of when the moment of discovery happens, it’s reassuring to know that youth inmates who were sexually abused have a window of 5 years to seek compensation from the liable entities.
We Provide Free Legal Services
As a survivor of child sexual abuse, nothing should stand in the way between you and justice from a lawsuit for monetary damages. That’s why all of our attorneys work on contingency, meaning we charge you $0 if you want us to represent you in a county or State of California juvenile inmate abuse lawsuit. The cost of legal services is added to your settlement award and paid to us at the same time you receive compensation. In other words, winning your case is the only way for us to get paid.
To discuss the option of filing a claim for sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center, schedule a free case evaluation by contacting our office.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Camp Olson Lane – Sonoma County Probation Camp Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Preston Youth Correctional Facility Sexual Abuse and Assault Lawsuit Attorney
