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Representing Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Evolve Treatment Centers
Evolve Treatment Centers in San Diego County are designed to provide care services for adolescents, but operational failures can lead to sexual abuse lawsuits from current or former patients. Often, survivors of sexual abuse do not speak out for years, making some of them wary of taking civil action against these centers in La Mesa and Encinitas.
The Injury Lawyer Team can provide compassionate legal support as you seek justice and pursue compensation with your sexual abuse claim. Our firm has decades of experience supporting survivors and helping them recover compensation for legal damages.
If you have questions about a sexual abuse case involving Evolve Treatment Centers, schedule a free, confidential consultation with our team today.
Settlements Recovered by Our Legal Team
Our team of expert attorneys has helped many sexual abuse survivors obtain settlements for their legal damages. Here are some of our previous cases:
- $15 million for a group of boys who were groomed and assaulted by a private school coach.
- $6 million for a child sexual abuse lawsuit that involved an after-school activity center over the course of several years.
- $5 million for two men who were abused by a therapist.
- $2.333 million for two women who were sexually assaulted by a certified nurse’s assistant.
- $1.16 million for a teenager who was sexually assaulted by a guard in a juvenile detention center.
- A mid-seven-figure settlement for a sexual assault that occurred in a hospital.
About Evolve Treatment Centers
Evolve La Mesa
9817 Edgar Place
La Mesa, CA 91941
833-226-1387
Evolve Dove Song
985 Sove Song Way
Encinitas, CA 92024
833-226-1387
These two facilities both serve adolescents with residential treatment programs. They offer services like group therapy, mental health support, substance use treatment, and behavioral care.
Both La Mesa and Dove Song offer quiet, serene environments to foster better outcomes for adolescent residents. The primary beneficiaries of these facilities are between 12 and 17 years old.
Evolve Treatment Centers Sexual Abuse Allegations
Allegations of abuse are common in adolescent treatment centers, though there are no public reports of sexual abuse at Evolve La Mesa or Evolve Dove Song. However, reviews of Evolve Treatment Centers from former patients and their families cast a concerning light on the effectiveness of their care services.
Many of the complaints are related to the facility staff’s inability to handle teens with behavioral issues, especially if the patients exhibit mental health disorders. Other complaints have cited a lack of attentive monitoring or effective care plans to meet the individual needs of some residents.
Often, these instances of abuse or neglect are caused by institutional failures. Poor supervision, inadequate training, and ignored complaints can create a challenging environment for residents and staff members alike.
How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims of Evolve Treatment Centers
Filing San Diego juvenile care center sexual abuse lawsuits is no easy task. It takes a lot of work to build a case, gather evidence, assess damages, and negotiate for fair settlements.
The Injury Lawyer Team can provide critical legal guidance during this process to ensure your claim has the best chance of securing compensation. We can even represent you in civil court if a trial is necessary.
We can help you file claims against facilities such as:
- Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
- Camino a Casa
- Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services
- McAlister Institute
- Phoenix House Academy of San Diego
Understanding Sexual Abuse Under California Law
It is important to understand California law if you are pursuing legal action against Evolve Treatment Centers for sexual abuse.
First, let’s define the term sexual battery. California Penal Code § 243.4 states that sexual battery consists of a person touching another person’s intimate parts with sexual intent without the victim’s consent. In an adolescent care setting, consent is impossible since residents are all considered minors, so any sexual contact would be considered illegal.
In these facilities, which feature strong power imbalances between staff members and patients, strict liability is enforced to protect the rights of young residents. The lack of consent is automatic in these sexual abuse cases involving minors.
Patterns of Abuse and Negligence at Evolve Treatment Centers
If abuse or neglect are occurring in a treatment center, patterns can develop over time. Often, widespread institutional failures are the cause of sexual abuse incidents.
For example, repeated failures in hiring and supervising employees can allow staff members to take advantage of young residents. Victims who report sexual abuse may be ignored or silenced, allowing the issue to continue.
Evolve Treatment Centers may also fail to create safety protocols for victims of abuse, such as protection against intimidation, coercion, or retaliation. Known predators in these facilities are often ignored by other staff members, especially if there are employee shortages.
In the worst cases, administrators may even cover up reports of abuse or neglect to avoid holding employees accountable. All these issues can increase the risk of sexual abuse to young people at Evolve La Mesa and Evolve Dove Song.
Filing a Claim for Abuse at Evolve Treatment Centers
Choosing to file a sexual abuse claim against an Evolve Treatment Center is not an easy decision. Institutional failures may give you reason to expect nothing to change. Psychological barriers could prevent you from taking action, such as fear, shame, or potential retaliation. These circumstances can make filing a claim seem overwhelming or hopeless.
Additionally, abuse can come from anywhere in these rehabilitation centers. Potential abusers could include staff members, guards, contracted medical or mental health personnel, or even other residents. It is essential to know that the Injury Lawyer Team will provide whatever support you need to come forward and hold the at-fault parties accountable.
California Child Victims Act and Statute of Limitations
The Child Victims Act in California is a crucial piece of legislation that expanded the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. Survivors have 22 years from the date they reach the age of majority (18) to seek damages for childhood sexual assault.
This would mean they can file a claim up until their 40th birthday, or within five years of discovering the abuse. Additionally, if your sexual abuse case was covered up, you could receive triple the damages.
Another important piece of legislation is related to the delayed discovery rule. Under this statute, the beginning of the time limit for filing a claim can be postponed to the date you discovered you had suffered from sexual assault. Essentially, the accrual date for a legal action is delayed until the plaintiff is aware of the injury.
A California youth center sexual abuse lawyer can shed light on which laws apply to your case.
Holding Evolve Treatment Centers and San Diego County Legally Accountable
If you hope to hold Evolve La Mesa or Evolve Dove Song accountable for sexual abuse, there are several considerations. First, a civil suit can be brought against the individual abuser. The facility operator could also be named as a defendant in your case.
If a government agency, such as the San Diego County Probation Department, were involved, it could be held liable for your damages. Lastly, contracted service providers who work at these centers may be accountable for your losses.
No matter who is responsible for your suffering, liability can look different from case to case. Poor training, insufficient supervision, and ignored complaints could all implicate liability for the facility if you were abused as a result.
Eligibility for Filing a Lawsuit
To be eligible for a sexual abuse claim against Evolve Treatment Centers, several things must be true:
- The abuse occurred at the facility.
- The perpetrator was a staff member, affiliated worker, or fellow resident.
- The victim suffered legal damages because of the mistreatment.
You can still file an abuse claim if the abuser is deceased. Similarly, if there are no criminal charges against the abuser, this will not affect your ability to seek civil action.
Types of Compensation Available
Survivors of sexual abuse can pursue economic and non-economic damages in their claims. Economic losses may include lost income, lost career potential, medical bills, therapy costs, or mental health expenses. Non-economic damages can include emotional distress, pain and suffering, trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What Impacts Your Settlement Amount?
Settlement amounts in sexual abuse claims can vary dramatically. It all depends on the severity of your suffering and the circumstances of the abuse. Violent or prolonged incidents are more likely to receive higher settlements. Similarly, repeated abuse can raise the value of your claim since long-term exposure increases liability.
If you have substantial evidence of the abuse, such as medical records, witness statements, and facility documentation, your compensation will likely be higher. Proof of a cover-up could result in treble damages. If you experience long-term effects because of the abuse, like PTSD or lost career prospects, the value of your claim could climb even higher.
Every sexual abuse case is unique, so ask a sexual abuse lawyer in San Diego about your potential settlement.
FAQs
How Do I Establish Liability in a Sexual Abuse Case?
Four elements must be proven to establish negligence in this type of case: Duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and legal damages. Your attorney can guide you through these elements and how to gather evidence to support them.
What Constitutes Sexual Abuse?
You can look at specific laws in California to understand particular instances like sexual battery, but essentially, unwanted sexual contact can be considered abuse.
How Do I Win A Civil Sexual Abuse Case?
Civil lawsuits do not have the same burden of proof as criminal proceedings. In general, you must prove that the defendant “more likely than not” caused your suffering with their actions.
How Much Do Legal Services Cost?
At our law firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means our clients pay nothing unless we win their cases. Payment is then deducted from the total settlement rather than the claimant’s pockets. There are no upfront costs required for our services.
Speak With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you are considering a sexual abuse claim against Evolve Treatment Centers, a sexual abuse lawyer in California can help. Our firm is uniquely equipped to guide you through the legal process and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation. Our contingency fee agreement ensures no additional fees to pursue justice unless we win.
If you are ready to book a free, confidential consultation about your claim, call us today at 866-757-6452 or complete our online form to speak with an experienced attorney.
