Alameda Camp Sweeney Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Alameda Camp Sweeney, officially known as Camp Wilmont Sweeney, is a juvenile justice facility for male youths in San Leandro, California. Unlike a traditional juvenile hall, Camp Sweeny is a “juvenile camp,” which is an alternative program for minimum security offenders. The center is meant to provide rehabilitation that will “reinforce self-discipline and personal responsibility with minimal application of disciplinary measures.”
Limited disciplinary measures imply that physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children has no place at Camp Sweeney. In reality, child abuse is rampant at these places, particularly grooming, inappropriate touching, rape, and other acts of sexual assault against minors. Many kids stay silent out of fear, shame, or a sense of loyalty to their abuser. As for inmates that speak out, they are silenced and punished in various ways, while their attacker continues to sexually abuse children at the facility.
Were you or one of your loved ones sexually assaulted while being detained at Alameda Camp Sweeney? As a victim of child sexual abuse, you have the right to sue the person that abused you, as well as they system that failed to protect you from the assault. Through a lawsuit, you can obtain the compensation you deserve, which many victims need in order to move forward with their lives. An Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse attorney is here to advise you of your legal options. Contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation.
$465,000
Slip & Fall
$600,000
Assault and Battery
$525,000
Head Trauma
$900,000
Hand/Wrist and Back Injury
$599,000
Slip And Fall Accident
$600,000
Shoulder Injury
Can I Sue if I was Sexually Abused at Alameda Camp Sweeney?
Yes, you can sue if you were sexually assaulted at Alameda Camp Sweeney by a probation officer or another adult that works for the California juvenile justice system. And it’s not just your abuser that you can go after; an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse lawsuit can also be filed against Alameda County.
County agencies, like the Alameda County Probation Department, have a legal duty to protect the children in their juvenile facilities. This includes preventative measures, like thorough screening of any adult that’s allowed to work with inmates and training employees to recognize the signs of child abuse. They must also contact the authorities and take immediate action to keep the victim safe when they are informed that someone was sexually abused.
Tragically, many juvenile hall officials are part of the problem when it comes to abuse at a youth detention center. They often conceal evidence of child sexual assault or find ways to bribe / blackmail the victim into silence. Instead of firing or suspending the abuser, they allow the person to continue working at the camp, thereby putting countless children in harm’s way. In fact, some of these officials blame the victim or make excuses for the offender by saying things like:
- He had been sexually active for years and clearly knew what he was doing.
- The officer was groping her breasts, but that’s as far as it went.
- The inmate agreed to exchange nude pics for privileges, so they gave consent.
First and foremost, it is not possible for individuals under 18 years old to give consent, according to California law. In order to give
informed
consent to sexual activity, one has to be at any age where they understand the intellectual and emotional ramifications of a sexual relationship. In California, this age is 18, and as a result, sexual assault of a child is defined as any sexual conduct between adults and underage individuals.
The Alameda Camp Sweeney abuse lawyers at our law firm are ready to listen to your story and help you decide on the best course of action. Please give us a call and talk to a lawyer who can sue Alameda Camp Sweeney on your behalf.
Can I Join a Alameda Camp Sweeney Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit?
Yes, you can join a class action lawsuit with other victims that were subjected to sexual abuse during their time at Alameda Camp Sweeney. Filing as a group is very common among sexual abuse victims at institutions, and in the past few years, there have been numerous class action claims against California juvenile detention centers.
However, we recommend that you speak with a Alameda Camp Sweeney class action lawsuit attorney before you decide on a specific legal action. We certainly agree that class actions have a high rate of success, as they allow you to join an existing lawsuit rather than navigating the justice system on your own.
On the other hand, an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse class action lawsuit is not appropriate for every situation. Some victims have cases that are especially complex, with unique details that must be evaluated on their own. This will have a direct impact on the monetary damages they are owed and the amount they are likely to recover from a juvenile hall sexual abuse lawsuit. That’s why for some individuals, filing a personal injury lawsuit is the better option.
To understand the legal process for either of these lawsuits, call us for a free consultation with a childhood sexual assault lawyer. Our goal is to help you understand your rights as a victim of sexual abuse and the legal remedies that are available to you. And if you have a lawsuit already, we can offer you a free second opinion on your case. This is your chance to obtain a free assessment of your claim and ensure that your case is on the right path. All you have to do is contact us and ask to speak with an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual molestation lawyer.
Average Value of an Alameda Camp Sweeney Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The average case value for a sexual assault lawsuit against Alameda Camp Sweeney is $1,000,000 to $5,000,000, based on the degree of harm and suffering, along with other factors that are specific to your case. Granted, there are lawsuits that will settle for less, but even on the lower end, you can expect to see values of $500,000 to $1,000,000. Child sexual abuse lawsuit settlements are based on numerous factors, which include:
- The sexual acts that took place
- How long the perpetrator was able to abuse the victim (weeks, months or years)
- The impact of the abuse on the victim’s physical health and psychological state
- The monetary losses to the victim due to the effects of sexual assault during childhood (medical bills, lost earning capacity / income opportunities, pain and suffering, etc.)
As a victim of juvenile hall sexual abuse, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask what these cases are worth on average. However, the amount of compensation you will end up with is based on your own circumstances, which are different from anyone else’s. That’s why you can’t compare one case with another, or assume that you will receive the same amount as someone else that was sexually assaulted at Alameda Camp Sweeney.
If you are interested in finding out the value of your Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual assault lawsuit, contact our office and schedule a time to meet with a Alameda Camp Sweeney abuse attorney.
What is the Estimated Timeframe to Reach a Settlement?
It takes around 1 to 2 years on average to settle a Alameda Camp Sweeney assault lawsuit, particularly when the victim has been sexually abused. It can take 6 months or less to reach a settlement if there is clear and irrefutable evidence, and the county agency is willing to quickly resolve the case. However, we can say from experience that most sexual abuse claims take longer. As for the issues that will affect how long it takes to settle your case, here are some examples:
- The injuries to your physical and mental health
- The amount of compensation you are seeking
- How long it will take to investigate you case and collect evidence
- Whether you are filing a personal injury or class action lawsuit (class actions generally take longer to settle)
- The defendant’s reluctance or willingness to admit liability
We want to assure you that we will do everything in our power to resolve your case as fast as possible. But these lawsuits are undeniably complicated, and there are many aspects of the legal system that are beyond our control. For example, if your case goes to trial, we must rely on the court’s schedule and wait for a hearing date. Due to the issues that are involved, it can take up to several years to settle a juvenile camp sexual assault lawsuit. If you would like to discuss the case resolution process in more detail, call us to speak with an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual assault lawyer.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Former and current inmates at a California juvenile hall have 22 years from the turning the age of consent to file a sexual abuse lawsuit. In other words, you have the right to file a legal action up until the age of 40, i.e., 22 years from your 18th birthday.
However, there is another important standard that may be applicable in your situation. Many victims repress memories of being abused, as they are unable to accept what was done to them. This may be a defense mechanism, as their minds are not developed enough to understand that they are being used in a sexual manner. However, there is another possibility that we often come across when dealing with youths in juvenile detention centers.
At a juvenile hall, for example, you are worried about surviving on a day to day basis and not appearing weak in front of others. Thus, a victim may push aside their sadness and fear in order to appear “tough.” They may also rely on their abuser for special privileges and protection from other inmates. Again, this is a matter of survival, and they are unwilling to sacrifice the relationship they have with the person that is sexually abusing them.
Over time, the effects of sexual abuse emerge as mental health disorders, like depression, PSTD, and suicide attempts. But the impact of sexual abuse can take many years to develop, and as a result, California’s Assembly Bill 218 includes a 5-year discovery rule. This provision gives you 5 years to file a lawsuit from the date of discovering the effects of sexual assault during childhood, regardless of how old you are.
At this point, you may be confused about the amount of time you have to file an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse lawsuit. Don’t worry – our
Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse lawyers can help you this and any other issue regarding your rights and legal options.
Contact Kenmore Law Group
Juvenile inmates are children at the end of the day, and they are entitled to compassionate treatment that’s focused on rehabilitation. Instead, they are victimized by sexual predators that work at juvenile halls, and even worse, by the system that looks the other way when there are accusations of abuse.
Our attorneys have decades of experience in sexual abuse claims against government agencies, including the Alameda County Probation Department. Along with aggressive representation on your case, you will be treated like family when you become one of our clients. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call and provide you with advice and guidance.
We also have a Zero Fee Guarantee policy, which means you pay $0 out of pocket to hire a juvenile hall sexual assault lawsuit attorney. Instead of charging you for legal fees, we cover all the expenses associated with your case. This money is reimbursed to us by the defendant as a condition of winning your case. Essentially, the only way we get paid is by recovering your settlement, and if we fail in that mission, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees.
Recovering from the injuries of child sexual abuse is a lifelong process, and we hope to be a part of that journey for you and your loved ones. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation if you were sexually abused at Alameda Camp Sweeney.