How Long Do I Have to File a Humboldt Regional Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

You have 22 years following the date of your 18^th birthday to sue for acts of sexual abuse while you were detained at Humboldt Regional Center. In essence, you have until the age of 40 to file a Humboldt Regional Center sexual assault lawsuit and receive monetary damages, like pain and suffering, medical expenses, and emotional distress.

However, not every child sex abuse victim is ready to pursue a legal action by the time they are 40 years old. Perhaps you are one of these individuals that are left to wonder, “Can I sue Humboldt Regional Center if the statute of limitations has already passed?” Fortunately, there is a legal exception known as the discovery rule, which is based on the date of actualizing a physical or emotional injury from acts of child abuse at a juvenile hall.

No matter the circumstance, it can be challenging to figure out how long you have to sue Humboldt Regional Center for sexual abuse. Considering how important this issue is to your legal rights, we suggest that you contact our law firm immediately to speak with a Humboldt Regional Center sexual abuse attorney.

Statute of Limitations to Sue Humboldt Regional Center for Sexual Abuse

Under California law, the time limit to file a Humboldt Regional Center sexual abuse lawsuit is based on either of the following:

• 22 years from when you are a legal adult in California, i.e., 18 years old
• Within 5 years of discovering an injury from sexual abuse while you were still a minor

This may come as a surprise to you, since deadlines for a legal case are typically based on a specific number of years. But there is an exception for sexual assault claims, as the realization of abuse during childhood can take many years to develop. That’s why 40 years of age is a fair amount of time for some people, while others need longer to confront what they went through and how it affects their current life.

As you can see, the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against Humboldt Regional Center for sexual abuse is not as clear cut as it for other cases of injury and assault. In the next section, we will provide you with more information on California’s discovery rule and how it can help you file a lawsuit beyond the normal statute of limitations.

Filing a Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit under the Discovery Rule

Children are limited in their capacity to handle traumatic situations, like sexual assault by a trusted adult. This is why most of them keep the abuse to themselves or act like what happened to them wasn’t a big deal. In reality, the shame and disgust of being violated in a sexual manner doesn’t go away. To cope with these feelings, victims often resort to substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors. They may also exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress, which makes it difficult for them to hold down a job or have healthy interactions with their loved ones.

Seeking help from a therapist is the key to recovering from the effects of sexual abuse. And many victims go to a therapist and some point and learn how the abuse at Humboldt Regional Center has damaged their lives. If they are past 40 years old, they still have 5 years to sue Humboldt County from the date of discovering the harm they suffered.

It’s likely that you still have questions about the discovery rule and how long you have to sue for the emotional and/or physical injuries resulting from childhood sexual abuse. We are here to help with all your questions and concerns, so contact the Humboldt Regional Center sexual abuse lawyers of Kenmore Law Group.

How to File a Humboldt Regional Center Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit

Aside from filing a lawsuit on your own, you have the choice of joining a Humboldt Regional Center class action lawsuit. That means you will be part of a group lawsuit that’s filed by many people who were sexually abused by someone working for the Humboldt County juvenile justice system. Class actions are very common with juvenile hall abuse cases, considering the level of negligence that goes on for so many years at these facilities.

There are many positives to filing a class action lawsuit, like having a wide body of evidence to work with, thereby making it harder for the county to deny that these incidents took place. On the other hand, some people are better off with a lawsuit that’s focused solely on their case, meaning they should file a personal injury lawsuit. Which option is right for you will depend on various factors that are unique to your life and the abuse you suffered.

To discuss your available legal options with one of our attorneys, schedule a free consultation by contacting our office.

Contact Kenmore Law Group

The sexual abuse of a minor is unacceptable, especially in a facility that’s meant to rehabilitate and nurture disadvantaged youths. Those who were sexually exploited by a juvenile hall staff member have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation from the liable entities, like the Humboldt County Juvenile Probation Department.

To learn about your rights and legal options, please take a moment to contact us for a free consultation. We can also help you with a free second opinion if you are in the process of suing for sexual assault at Humboldt Regional Center.

If you choose to become one of our clients, you won’t have to worry about the cost of legal fees, thanks to the Zero Fee Guarantee. We cover all the costs of representing you and include our expenses in the settlement demands to the defendant. That means our payment in based on winning your case and ensuring that you receive payment from a child sexual abuse injury claim.

With nothing to lose, there’s no reason to hold off on contacting us and scheduling a time to speak with an experienced child sexual assault lawsuit lawyer.