How Long Do I Have to File a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

From the time you are 18 years old, you have 22 years to sue for monetary compensation as a victim of sex abuse at a juvenile detention center. Under this rule, you have until the age of 40 to file a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall sexual assault lawsuit. This may be enough time for some people to understand their rights and legal options and pursue a legal case against Mendocino County. However, there are situations where the statute of limitations to sue Mendocino County Juvenile Hall for sexual abuse may be extended.

If you are interested in finding out how long you have to file a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse claim, please contact our law firm. We can provide you with answers to all your questions, which are likely to include a variety of topics regarding your rights as a sexual assault victim. Our legal experts look forward to meeting you and fighting for the settlement you deserve.

How Long You have to Sue Mendocino County Juvenile Hall for Sexual Abuse

Normally, the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against Mendocino County Juvenile Hall for sexual abuse is 22 years from when you are 18 years of age.

Of course, it’s not always possible for an adult survivor of sexual assault to understand the laws and the protections that are available to them. That’s why we often receive the following question from those who were sexually abused at Mendocino County Juvenile Hall:

Can I Sue Mendocino County Juvenile Hall if the Statute of Limitations has Already Passed?

California’s Discovery Rule for Child Sex Abuse Victims

Aside from the 22-year deadline for a lawsuit, there is another legal standard that applies to the deadline for sexual abuse claims involving minors. This is known as the 5-year discovery rule, and it applies in cases of injuries that are not discovered by the victim until they are past the normal statute of limitations.

A common example has to do with children that repress memories of abuse for many years. However, the effects of sexual abuse results in various mental health issues that inhibit their lives. For many victims, it takes professional help, like therapy from a psychologist, before they understand how abuse from their childhood is connected to the problems they are currently experiencing.

When this point of discovery happens is different for each adult survivor of sexual assault at a juvenile detention center. That’s why the law provides a 5-year window to file a lawsuit against Mendocino County Juvenile Hall from the date of discovery. The discovery rule can apply to physical injuries, as well as mental health disorders. However, much of the focus is on emotional injuries versus bodily harm, as many incidents of sex abuse do not result in physical injuries.

With all the variables that may be involved, you should speak to a juvenile hall abuse lawyer as soon as possible. That way, you can make an informed choice on how to proceed with a case for sexual abuse while you were detained at Mendocino County Juvenile Hall.

What if I Want to File a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Class Action Lawsuit?

If you are interested in filing a class action lawsuit for child sexual assault, we can help you initiate a claim or join a lawsuit that’s already in progress. Class action lawsuits can be very beneficial in these cases, considering the number of potential victims at each institution. With juvenile halls, you are likely to have several hundred plaintiffs that are all represented by one lawsuit.

But that doesn’t mean that filing a lawsuit with others is the right choice for you. Some cases have exceptional circumstances, where it may be better for the victim to pursue a legal case on their own. To learn more about class action lawsuits and whether it will serve you interests, call the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse lawyers of Kenmore Law Group.

What is the Amount I can Receive from an Abuse Lawsuit against Mendocino County Juvenile Hall?

You can receive around $450,000 to $10,000,000 for a child sexual abuse lawsuit against Mendocino County Juvenile Hall. The exact amount you are entitled to is based on your injuries, how you were failed by the juvenile justice system, and other relevant factors, which you can discuss with a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse attorney.

Generally, lawsuits involving assault, i.e., physical acts of sex abuse, have higher case values. Lawsuits for sexual assault of a minor are worth between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000 on average. Sexual harassment cases, on the other hand, will likely settle for under $1,000,000.

How Long will it Take to Settle my Case?

For the most part, it takes 12 to 24 months to settle a case for the sexual abuse of a minor. Settlement timelines may be shorter if we were suing a private entity, but juvenile halls are government entities. These lawsuits are incredibly complicated, and the process of reaching a settlement usually takes over 1 year. How long it takes to settle a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall case is even longer if you are filing a class action lawsuit. Though each case is different, it often takes 2 to 3 years to settle a Mendocino County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse class action lawsuit.

Free Legal Services for Sexual Abuse Victims

Our law firm works on contingency and waits until the end of your case to receive payment. This only happens, by the way, if we win your case. If we don’t secure the compensation you deserve, you pay $0 towards the cost of legal fees. That’s a promise we make to you from day one under the Zero Fee Guarantee, so you have nothing to lose by taking some time to speak with us.

Contact the offices of Kenmore Law Group and schedule a free case evaluation. You can also reach out to us if you need a free second opinion on a pending juvenile hall sexual abuse claim.