Are you a former juvenile inmate who was sexually abused while you were staying at the Sonoma County Probation Camp, also known as Camp Olson Lane? Was your child or another member of your family sexually assaulted or exploited by someone that works at the facility? Those who were subjected to abuse at a juvenile camp program have the right to seek compensation for their harm and suffering, even if the abuse occurred many years ago.
Camp Olson Lane is a small, short-term juvenile facility for males between 15 and 18 years of age. Located in Forestville, California, the facility was founded in 1955, but it’s been closed since 2021 due to changes in the treatment of juvenile offenders. This has resulted in a declining population of children who are committed to juvenile halls and camps, and as result, there are no plans to reopen the Sonoma County Probation Camp.
The fate of this residential facility is uncertain, but we know for sure that California juvenile camps have a notorious reputation for neglect and abuse. Many inmates are targeted by child molesters and other predatory employees who work at these places in order to have easy access to victims. As a victim, you have the right to sue your abuser, but what about the system that enabled that person to take advantage of you? Negligence by the Sonoma County Probation Department plays a critical role in many of these cases, which is why many of these lawsuits are filed against the county.
Suing an entity of the government is a difficult process, but it’s possible to achieve justice with help from a Camp Olson Lane sex abuse lawyer. We have several decades of experience in the fight against inmate sexual abuse, and we are more than prepared to represent your interests in a lawsuit against Sonoma County. Contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free, confidential case review.
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Can I Sue Camp Olson Lane for Sexual Abuse?
Yes, you can sue as an inmate who was sexually exploited or assaulted by a staff member at the Sonoma County Probation Camp. This is often the case with lawsuits where someone is sexually or physically abused at a government institution. These places obviously have employees that are in charge of the children, but they are also supervised by a government agency, like the Sonoma County Probation Department.
The foundation of your lawsuit involves proving the following elements:
- The county had foreknowledge of, or should have known about, the abuse that was taking place at the facility.
- The county either failed to provide adequate supervision or other measures that would have kept inmates from being abused.
- Alternatively, they engaged in misconduct, like destroying or concealing allegations of sexual assault or hiding evidence related to the case.
Sadly, negligence and misconduct is fairly standard at juvenile detention centers, and there are generations of victims who are still struggling from the impact of sexual exploitation. Thankfully, victims coming forward and using tools like social media resulted in social and legal changes, especially in the area of child sexual abuse.
If you were assaulted or abused as an inmate at Camp Olson Lane, please know that help it out there, including legal advice from a child sexual assault lawsuit attorney. Contact us today and learn about the legal actions we can take on our behalf.
How can I Join a Class Action Lawsuit against the Sonoma County Probation Camp?
Most people who are sexually abused at a juvenile camp know that they are one of many victims at the same facility. Perhaps it has occurred to you that joining a class action lawsuit with these individuals is the right way to proceed in your quest for justice. Of course, there is a lot to know about how these lawsuits work, which is why you should speak with a juvenile hall sexual abuse class action lawyer by contacting our office.
This is your chance to get answers to all your questions about the legal process and go over any concerns you have about joining a class action claim with other inmates. If you decide to join one of these lawsuits, we have a dedicated team of class action attorneys, who are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. For more information on filing a class action lawsuit for sexual abuse at Camp Olson Lane, give us a call here at our law firm.
What is the Average Value of a Camp Olson Lane Sexual Abuse Case?
Stating a value that can be described as “average” is very difficult with these cases, but experience has shown us that payments usually fall between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. Those who were abused as minors tend to receive higher payouts, especially if they were sexually assaulted. But this is just one of many factors that affect how much compensation can be awarded to a victim. Frankly, there are cases that are settled for around $400,000 to $750,000, and this may be a fair amount of compensation based on the circumstances. Alternatively, there are cases that end in verdicts of $10,000,000 to $15,000,000, and this may be appropriate based on the victim’s injuries, negligence by county officials, and other important details.
How Long Do Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits Take to Settle?
It takes around 12 to 24 months on average to reach a settlement for cases of sexual abuse at a juvenile camp. Based on the legal actions that are involved, it can actually take 3 or more years before payment is issued to the victim, but if we had to narrow it down to an “average” time frame, we would go with 1 to 2 years. Occasionally, we do have cases that are settled in 6 months or less, so it’s possible to resolve a Camp Olson Lane sexual assault or harassment claim in just a few months. However, this is unusual when it comes to suing Sonoma County, especially when the reason for the lawsuit is sexual abuse by a juvenile hall staff member.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for Sexual Abuse at Camp Olson Lane
Those who were 18 at the time of being sexually abused have a 10-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit. If you were younger than 18, you would have a case for child sexual abuse, which has a 22-year statute of limitations. The 22-year window begins on the date of your 18th birthday, so you would have until 40 years of age to sue for sexual abuse at Camp Olson Lane.
For child abuse victims, there is a legal expectation that can be made if they are past the age of 40. If there is a delayed discovery of illness or injury that was caused by sexual abuse, the victim has 5 years from the date of realization to file a compensation claim. This is known as the discovery rule, and it’s a powerful form of protection for adult survivors of sexual abuse during childhood. Essentially, many children who are sexually assaulted or abused do not go to someone to ask for help. Instead, they suppress memories of what happened and do their best to move forward.
Unfortunately, trauma from sexual abuse doesn’t just go away, and if left untreated, the victim is likely to develop numerous mental health issues. By getting treatment for these problems, the victim finally understands how they were affected by sexual abuse during their incarceration at a juvenile camp program. No matter how old they are on the date of discovery, they have 5 years to file a lawsuit with help from a juvenile detention facility sexual abuse lawyer.
Contact a California Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Going ahead with a lawsuit is a big decision, which is why you should always seek legal advice from a lawyer who is experienced in lawsuits against the juvenile justice system. If you decide that filing a claim is in your best interest, we will provide you with free legal representation and wait to receive a portion of your settlement check at the end of your case. In the event we fail to bring you payment from a Sonoma County Probation Camp sexual abuse lawsuit, you will not be asked to pay a single penny in legal fees.
As you can see, there is nothing to lose with the Zero Fee Guarantee here at our law firm. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our legal experts, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Sexual Abuse at Camp Erwin Owen – Lawyer for Child Abuse Victims
Tehama County Juvenile Detention Facility Sexual Abuse Attorney
Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Attorney
