Representing Survivors of Sexual Abuse at McAlister Institute
McAlister Institute runs multiple residential treatment centers throughout San Diego County, including adolescent group homes. Although there are no public reports of sexual abuse allegations, many facilities’ institutional failures allow sexual abuse to occur.
Survivors of sexual abuse do not always come forward right away, often because of fear or shame. It could take years for a victim to take action if they have suffered from sexual abuse in a McAlister Institute center.
The Injury Lawyer Team is a law firm that supports survivors of sexual abuse in California. We provide crucial legal support for survivors who want to pursue compensation via civil claims. Our team knows what it takes to hold abusers accountable and keep residential treatment centers safe places for children and young adults. Book a free, confidential consultation today.
Settlements Recovered by Our Legal Team
When you pursue a legal claim against an institution with vast resources, you need an experienced legal team on your side to level the playing field. The Injury Lawyer Team has secured millions for past survivors of sexual abuse. Here are some settlements we have won for our clients:
$14.2 million for six young men who were groomed and abused by a priest at a religious school.
$6 million for a child sexual abuse lawsuit involving an after-school center over the course of several years.
$3.85 million for three boys who were sexually abused by a youth soccer coach.
$3 million for a man who was abused by a child by a member of the clergy.
$1.16 million for a teen who was assaulted by a guard at a youth detention center.
McAlister Institute has multiple locations throughout San Diego County, including residential treatment centers in Ramona, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley. These facilities provide a wide range of services, including individual treatment plans, evidence-based curricula, family therapy, case management, and mental health services.
Patients at McAlister Institute include individuals and families in the San Diego area, especially those facing behavioral challenges or substance use.
McAlister Institute Sexual Abuse Allegations
Currently, there is no record of widespread sexual abuse in McAlister Institute. However, the larger an organization is, the easier it can be for abusers to slip through the cracks. Adolescent group homes in this network may have institutional failures that are allowing individual cases of sexual abuse to go unreported to the public.
Based on experiences at similar facilities, staff members, guards, contracted personnel, or even residents may be committing abuse against some patients. Some of the most common institutional failures that contribute to sexual abuse patterns include poor supervision, inadequate training, improper hiring practices, and dismissed complaints.
How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims of McAlister Institute
San Diego youth treatment facility sexual abuse lawsuits are a tool for survivors to hold these facilities accountable for allowing abuse to occur. The Injury Lawyer Team has helped numerous clients who have faced sexual abuse as children, securing compensation for legal damages.
For example, we recovered $3 million for a man who was abused by clergy as a child, even though the church attempted to have the case dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired.
As an experienced legal team, we will assess all damages, gather facility documents, collect evidence, negotiate for fair compensation, file your claim in court, and represent you in a civil trial if necessary. Decades of legal experience have resulted in a 98% success rate for our injured clients.
We can help you file claims against facilities such as:
It is important to define legal terms within the bounds of California law when pursuing a sexual abuse claim.
For example, sexual battery is defined as unwanted touching of a person’s intimate parts that is intentional and sexually motivated. However, consent is impossible in certain situations, such as adults with minors or severely mentally disabled individuals. Therefore, sexual contact between an adult and a minor in an adolescent group home is automatically considered illegal.
Youth treatment centers feature an obvious power imbalance between adults in authority and young residents. Therefore, these cases enforce strict liability to ensure sexual abuse is handled correctly.
Patterns of Abuse and Negligence at McAlister Institute
Patterns of abuse and negligence tend to develop over time at centers like McAlister Institute. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for widespread institutional issues to create environments where sexual abuse can thrive. Repeated failures in hiring, insufficient supervision, and failing to respond to abuse complaints can create a dangerous situation for all residents.
Other issues will also contribute to a pattern of sexual abuse in an adolescent group home. Staff sexual misconduct, known predators being overlooked, victims of abuse being silenced or ignored, and administrative cover-ups can all exacerbate the toxic environment, allowing sexual abuse to become an ongoing issue.
Filing a Claim for Abuse at McAlister Institute
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, filing a compensation claim may present challenges. Victims often face psychological barriers that prevent them from taking legal action, such as shame, guilt, or the fear of retaliation.
Filing a claim can also be legally complex. Multiple parties could be responsible for your abuse, including staff members, guards, contracted mental health personnel, and other residents.
A lack of supervision can allow abuse to happen, and if there are multiple liable parties involved, the thought of a legal claim may overwhelm the victim and prevent them from pursuing compensation.
California Child Victims Act and Statute of Limitations
A critical piece of legislation extended the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The California Child Victims Act provides that victims have until their 40th birthdays to file civil claims if they suffered abuse as minors. Or, if they discovered the abuse later on as an adult, they will have five years to pursue legal action.
It is always best to consult a California youth treatment center sexual abuse lawyer before making assumptions about your claim’s validity. For example, you might think the statute of limitations has expired in your case.
However, the delayed discovery rule allows the accrual date for the statute of limitations to be postponed to the date on which the plaintiff realized they had been abused. This could enable some victims of sexual abuse to seek compensation beyond typical timeframes. If administrators covered up your abuse, you may be eligible for triple damages.
Holding McAlister Institute and San Diego County Legally Accountable
The primary purpose of a lawsuit is to hold the abuser or at-fault party accountable for the plaintiff’s suffering. This means civil suits can be brought against multiple parties if the abuse occurs at a center like McAlister Institute.
The abuser, the facility operator, the San Diego Probation Department, or a contracted service provider may all play a role in a sexual abuse case.
Establishing liability is a major component of a sexual abuse claim. You must provide evidence of negligence or abuse to have a chance at receiving compensation. Some issues that could help determine liability for your case include poor training, insufficient supervision, and ignored complaints of abuse.
Eligibility for Filing a Lawsuit
One of the main questions you will face before filing a sexual abuse claim is that of your eligibility. You must meet certain requirements to sue an adolescent group home in the McAlister Institute network.
First, the abuse must have occurred at a McAlister Institute facility. Second, the abuse must have been perpetrated by someone affiliated with the center, such as a staff member, contracted professional, or resident.
Some victims assume they cannot seek legal damages if the abuser is deceased or if there are no criminal charges against the offender. However, you can still pursue compensation in these situations if you are suing the facility or the abuser directly.
Types of Compensation Available
Another reason to file a claim against a youth treatment center for abuse is to recover financial compensation for legal damages.
Economic damages can include lost income, therapy bills, medical costs, mental health treatment expenses, and lost career potential. Non-economic damages may include trauma, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Your attorney can help you assess the legal damages in your claim.
What Impacts Your Settlement Amount?
Settlement values in sexual abuse cases can vary widely. Some victims may be eligible for nine or ten-figure settlements, while others may only recoup six digits. Every case is unique, so you should consult a San Diego sexual assault lawyer to discuss the potential value of your compensation package.
Here are some factors that could increase the maximum settlement in your claim:
Severity – Violent or prolonged abuse can increase your settlement amount.
Frequency – Victims of ongoing abuse who faced long-term exposure can prove increased liability.
Supporting evidence – If you have access to solid medical records, facility documents, or witness statements, you could receive more compensation.
Cover-ups – Those who have had their abuse covered up institutionally may be eligible for higher settlements.
Long-term effects – Dealing with PTSD, depression, or lost career prospects could increase your compensation.
Speak With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
A California sexual abuse attorney can greatly increase your chances of securing compensation and holding your abuser accountable. The Injury Lawyer Team can also ensure that the facility responsible for your abuse is held liable. We know what it takes to investigate these claims, gather compelling evidence, and fight for maximum compensation for survivors of sexual abuse.
We offer a contingency fee agreement, so you owe nothing unless we win your claim. Additionally, our payment is deducted from the settlement total rather than from your pockets. If you are ready to discuss your legal options with the Injury Lawyer Team, call us today at 866-757-6452 or complete our online form to request a free, confidential consultation with a professional attorney.
