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Representing Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Camino a Casa

Camino a Casa by Casa Pacifica is a youth services center for teens who are struggling with mental health. In these types of facilities, sexual abuse can run rampant if operational protections are not in place. Many survivors wait years to come forward due to shame, fear, or guilt. However, victims may still have the option to pursue compensation for legal damages.

The Injury Lawyer Team is committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse at Camino a Casa. We can guide you through the claims process and give you the best chance of receiving the maximum compensation for your suffering. Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a professional attorney today.

Settlements Recovered by Our Legal Team

Our commitment to supporting survivors of sexual abuse is reflected in some of our previous cases. We have helped numerous victims recover substantial settlements related to sexual abuse and assault claims. Here are some examples of settlements we have won for our clients:

$1 million for a man who was abused at an after-school program.
$1.16 million for a teen who was assaulted in a youth detention center by a guard.
$2.75 million for a woman who was raped by a counselor at a church-operated summer camp.
$6.5 million for a teen who was raped by a staff member on a cruise ship.
$15 million for several boys who were groomed and abused by a private school coach.

About Camino a Casa

Camino a Casa by Casa Pacifica

1722 South Louis Road

Camarillo, CA 93012

805-366-4000

caminoacasa.org

This facility specializes in adolescent mental health for children ages 12-17. Most of the children at this facility struggle to regulate their emotions and may not be safe around their peers or families. Camino a Casa provides short-term residential treatment, outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, and home-based behavioral health services.

Camino a Casa Sexual Abuse Allegations

Generally, patients at Camino a Casa describe a positive environment with no serious reports of sexual abuse by staff members, contracted service providers, or other residents. However, victims of these incidents often remain silent out of fear or shame, so this does not mean sexual abuse has never occurred at Camino a Casa.

Institutional failures, such as poor supervision, dismissed complaints, or inadequate hiring practices could place residents in danger of experiencing sexual abuse, especially from adults in positions of authority.

How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims of Camino a Casa

The Injury Lawyer Team can help victims pursue California youth residential center sexual abuse lawsuits. Our goal is to provide legal support so survivors can hold their abusers accountable and seek fair compensation for their suffering. We have secured settlements for young victims many times in the past.

For example, we recovered $15 million for several boys who were groomed and abused by a private school coach. Our team can offer assistance with gathering facility documents, collecting evidence, filing claims, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in court.

We can help you file claims against facilities such as:

Understanding Sexual Abuse Under California Law

California laws related to sexual abuse could play a major role in the outcome of your lawsuit against Camino a Casa.

According to Penal Code 243.4, sexual battery involves any touching of a person’s intimate parts that is unwanted. The touching is also sexual in nature and intentional. In some cases, legal consent cannot be obtained, such as for minors and those with severe mental disabilities, so sexual contact is automatically illegal.

In minor adult cases, which are the most common in facilities like Camino a Casa, strict liability is enforced due to the power imbalances involved. Any sexual contact in a juvenile detention or residential setting is automatically considered illegal.

Seeking compensation for sexual abuse at Camino a Casa treatment center

Patterns of Abuse and Negligence at Camino a Casa

Although a pattern of sexual abuse has not been discovered at Camino a Casa, systemic failures can make this a possibility. Widespread institutional issues can create an environment where sexual abuse is allowed to thrive. For example, repeated failures in hiring and supervising employees can place abusive adults in positions of authority over minors.

Other specific failings that can contribute to patterns of sexual abuse include staff misconduct, known predators being ignored, victims being intimidated or coerced, and administrations covering up allegations. If victims are silenced or ignored, the facility is more likely to become a breeding ground for sexual abuse.

Filing a Claim for Abuse at Camino a Casa

Filing a claim as a sexual abuse survivor is not an easy task. You may face psychological barriers that make you hesitant, such as fear, shame, or retaliation. Additionally, institutional failures can make it difficult for a facility to prevent abuse from happening. All these factors can make it harder for victims to come forward and pursue justice against their abusers.

Furthermore, abuse can come from multiple sources in a place like Camino a Casa. Medical staff, guards, administrators, mental health personnel, and even other residents may be responsible for the abuse a victim experiences. A claim may involve several liable parties, further complicating the process of seeking compensation.

California Child Victims Act and Statute of Limitations

A major piece of legislation that affects sexual abuse claims is the California Child Victims Act.. This law loosens some of the statute of limitations standards, allowing more victims of abuse to seek legal action as adults. Survivors can now file civil claims until their 40th birthday for childhood sexual abuse, or five years after they discover the abuse.

This bill allows victims of abuse whose cases have been covered up to seek triple damages. The delayed discovery rule provides that the accrual date of the statute of limitations on a case can be delayed until the plaintiff discovers that their suffering was the result of a negligent act.

Understanding the nuances of these laws can be challenging, so you should consult a California youth residential center sexual abuse attorney for help.

Holding Camino a Casa and Ventura County Legally Accountable

A civil lawsuit allows a sexual abuse survivor to hold the liable parties accountable for their suffering. Your claim could involve multiple defendants, depending on the circumstances surrounding your abuse.

The abuser, the facility operator, a government agency like the Ventura County Probation Agency, or a contracted service provider could all be held accountable in a sexual abuse claim.

Establishing liability is important in a personal injury case. At Camino a Casa and similar institutions, liability could be caused by poor training, insufficient supervision, or ignored complaints of abuse.

Eligibility for Filing a Lawsuit

If you are considering filing a lawsuit against Camino a Casa, you must meet several criteria. First, the abuse must have occurred at the facility in question. Second, the abuse must have been perpetrated by a staff member, affiliated worker, or another resident at the center.

Some survivors may hesitate to seek legal action because their abuser is deceased or there are no criminal charges. However, you can still pursue compensation in both circumstances to hold the facility accountable for failing to prevent abuse.

Types of Compensation Available

One of the main goals of a sexual abuse claim is to recover a settlement for legal damages. Economic damages in this type of case may include lost income, medical bills, therapy expenses, mental health treatment costs, and lost career potential. Non-economic damages may include emotional distress, trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

What Impacts Your Settlement Amount?

Every sexual abuse case is unique, so it is best to consult a San Diego sex abuse attorney to discuss your settlement potential. However, here are some factors that could increase the compensation you receive from a successful claim:

Frequency – Repeated abuse and long-term exposure increase liability and potential compensation.
Supporting evidence – Medical reports, witness statements, and faculty documents can strengthen your claim.
Severity – Violent or prolonged abuse can lead to higher compensation.
Cover-up – Victims of abuse who had their allegations covered up could receive triple the damages.
Long-term effects – PTSD, depression, or lost career prospects can increase the size of your settlement.

FAQs

What is the process for filing a sexual abuse claim?

The steps involved in a civil lawsuit typically involve consulting a lawyer, investigating the claim, gathering evidence, establishing liability, filing the claim in court, negotiating the settlement, and proceeding to civil court if necessary.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer?

At our firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. Instead of paying upfront legal fees, you owe nothing unless we win your case. Our payment is deducted from the settlement amount, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses.

How long do I have to file a sexual abuse claim?

If you were abused as a minor, you have until your 40th birthday to pursue civil action in California. If you discovered that you were abused as an adult, you have five years to seek compensation for legal damages.

Speak With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today

The importance of a California sex abuse lawyer cannot be overstated in these types of claims. Whether you suffered abuse at Camino a Casa or a similar facility, professional legal assistance can make all the difference in winning your case. Our team will investigate your claim, gather evidence, negotiate for fair compensation, and pursue all legal damages.

We offer a contingency fee agreement so you do not pay anything upfront for our services. This also incentivizes our attorneys to work as hard as possible on your behalf to secure a settlement.

If you are ready to consider legal action as a survivor of sexual abuse, call us today at 866-757-6452 or complete our online form to schedule your free, confidential consultation.