Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is actively retaining survivors of sexual abuse that took place at MacLaren Hall in El Monte, CA.
Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of dozens of survivors alleging that widespread sexual abuse took place at MacLaren Hall and that Los Angeles County failed to prevent it.
The compassionate, experienced, empathetic sexual abuse lawyers at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers have been representing survivors of sexual abuse since 1990. We are experienced in fighting for survivors of sexual abuse, making sure they are heard, and obtaining justice and financial compensation for them.
If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse that happened at MacLaren Hall, we can provide you with the legal help you require. We offer free, confidential consultations with someone of your preferred gender. The only fee we charge is a portion of any financial compensation we obtain for you, and we don’t charge a fee if we don’t obtain compensation for you.
Time is of the essence, so call us today. The deadline to file a claim is December 31, 2022.
MacLaren Hall Lawsuits
A lawsuit was filed in May 2022 on behalf of 12 survivors of sexual abuse that took place at MacLaren Children’s Center, a.k.a. MacLaren Hall. The lawsuit alleges that children at MacLaren Hall were frequently sexually abused and assaulted by other children as well as staff members because the children were poorly supervised.
Survivors who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that MacLaren employees assaulted them, drugged them, and forced them to perform sexual acts from 1988 to 2001. One plaintiff said he was abused at age 5, and another plaintiff said employees beat her for alleging sexual abuse.
One survivor told the Los Angeles Times that she reported sexual abuse to a staff member at MacLaren Hall who “threatened to put her on ‘lockdown’” if she told anyone else about the abuse.
Then, in June 2022, an additional lawsuit was filed on behalf of 31 survivors of sexual abuse that took place at MacLaren Hall. This lawsuit claims MacLaren Hall was poorly maintained, understaffed, and overcrowded, with children being sexually assaulted, restrained, taunted, and over-medicated.
However, it appears as if these will not be the only lawsuits filed regarding sexual abuse at MacLaren Hall. The Mercury News reported that there may be as many as 500 other potential future plaintiffs.
What Compensation Is Available in a MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Those who survive childhood sexual abuse are faced with not only short-term trauma after the abuse but also life-long effects. These effects can prevent them from graduating from high school, going to college, and/or maintaining employment. Survivors of sexual abuse may be eligible to be financially compensated for multiple types of damages, including:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are objectively calculable, verifiable financial losses. Economic damages in sexual abuse cases may include:
- Medical bills
- Therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of wages
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective damages that cannot be objectively calculated. Non-economic damages in sexual abuse cases may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Humiliation
- Loss of society
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded when oppressive, fraudulent, or malicious acts take place. These damages are meant to punish defendants and deter others from behaving similarly.
Plaintiffs in California are barred from pursuing punitive damages against government entities such as Los Angeles County. However, punitive damages can be sought from individuals employed by government entities.
Do I Need to Take Part in a Class Action Lawsuit Against MacLaren Hall?
You do not. You are entitled to file an individual lawsuit, and it is beneficial for many to file an individual lawsuit instead of taking part in a class action. Many plaintiffs will end up recovering far more financial compensation in an individual lawsuit versus class action.
During our free initial consultation, we can discuss whether an individual lawsuit or a class action is right for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a MacLaren Hall Lawsuit?
AB-218 extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims in California, giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse the ability to file a lawsuit as late as reaching age 40 or five years after becoming aware their psychological injury or illness was caused by sexual assault, whichever is later.
However, AB-218 only provides this new “lookback window” until December 31, 2022.
This deadline is fast approaching, so now is the time to act if you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse that took place at MacLaren Hall. We can make sure your claim is filed in time and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Sexual Abuse at MacLaren Hall?
It appears that sexual abuse occurred at MacLaren Hall due to the negligence of the County of Los Angeles. Negligence is failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm from occurring.
It appears that children were sexually abused at MacLaren Hall due to a lack of supervision. Those who operate facilities such as MacLaren Hall have a duty to exercise reasonable care by adequately supervising children, and it appears that Los Angeles County negligently failed to uphold this duty.
California law holds negligent parties financially liable for any harm caused by their negligence. When you work with the experienced sexual abuse lawyers at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, we can make sure that Los Angeles County is held accountable for their negligent conduct.
How Can Negligence Be Proven in a MacLaren Hall Lawsuit?
We intend to hold Los Angeles County responsible for the sexual abuse at MacLaren Hall by proving that the abuse occurred due to Los Angeles County’s negligent supervision and hiring.
Employers like Los Angeles County have a duty to know if their employees pose a risk to their residents. For example, the county can be proven to be negligently responsible for sexual abuse that their employees committed if it can be proven that:
- The county hired someone with a criminal record because they didn’t run any background checks on them
- The county ignored complaints of employees’ inappropriate behavior or other evidence that abuse occurred
- The county trained its employees regarding childhood sexual abuse but didn’t adequately supervise how its employees implemented the training
Experienced sexual abuse attorneys like those at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can assist you in gathering any evidence necessary to prove Los Angeles County’s negligence.
What Evidence Helps Prove Negligence in a MacLaren Hall Lawsuit?
Evidence that can help prove that sexual abuse at MacLaren Hall was the result of Los Angeles County’s negligence includes any evidence which establishes that:
- An employee wasn’t fit to carry out their employment duties
- The county knew or should have been aware the employee was incompetent, not suitable for the job, or even worse
- A resident was sexually abused by the employee
- Emotional or physical damage was sustained by the resident as a result of this sexual abuse
Our experienced sexual abuse lawyers will gather evidence and prove that you or your loved one would not have been sexually abused if Los Angeles County exercised reasonable care to prevent abuse from occurring.
MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Lawyers
We have recovered over $750,000,000 for our clients since 1990 due to our tenacity, toughness, experience, and expertise. However, what separates us from other law firms is our compassion. We work tirelessly and feel strongly about protecting, supporting, and guiding survivors of sexual abuse, as well as responding to injustice.
Every survivor of childhood sexual abuse deserves to be heard if they are ready to be heard and be able to move toward justice and healing. If you decide to share your story with us, we will make sure that your privacy is respected and protected. We know how tough it can be to share your story, so we will ensure that your identity stays confidential.
Our team of experts and investigators has been extensively trained to work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse whose cases involve delicate emotions and situations. Our team will compassionately and skillfully gather evidence of your sexual abuse and build a successful case against Los Angeles County.
Call us, text us from this page, or contact us online today if you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse while at MacLaren Hall. Let us fight for the healing, justice, and compensation you deserve by filing a MacLaren Hall lawsuit on your behalf. We don’t charge a fee until and unless we obtain a recovery.
