Charles Wright was convicted of murder and sexual assault incidents from almost 20 years ago by a Los Angeles County Jury. Wright, who is 59-year old, is a former middle school teacher and resident of Inglewood. According to the LA County District Attorney George Gascon, “I’d like to thank the jury for listening to the evidence and ensuring that Mr. Wright is brought to justice for the brutal murder of Ms. Epps, and the sexual violence he committed against the second victim.”
The former teacher was convicted of strangling to death 21-year-old Pertina Epps on April 26, 2005. He was arrested in 2022 after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. He was released following the arrest on $1,000,000 bail, and during this time, he is believed to have kidnapped and sexually assaulted an 18-year old female. The crimes are especially shocking in light of the fact that Wright was a middle school teacher.
“It is particularly egregious that these crimes were committed by someone who was in a position of trust and authority, said Gascon, “this conviction sends a clear message that we will not tolerate violence in our community.”
Charles Wright is expected to be sentenced in September and faces a prison term of over 50 years. Sadly, Wright is one of many teachers and other important members of the community who abuse their power to take commit horrific crimes. In the case of Charles Wright, we believe other victims are out there – maybe even students who were vulnerable to being groomed and sexually assaulted.
If you are a victim of this former educator, you may be entitled to monetary damages like pain and suffering, medical expenses, and emotional distress. Contact our office and ask to speak with a lawyer experienced in sexual abuse cases.
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Can I Sue for being Sexually Assaulted?
Yes, you may qualify for a sexual abuse lawsuit if you were a victim of Charles Wright, who was recently convicted of murder and sexual assault. While you can sue the person that assaulted you, there may be another party that can be blamed for what happened to you. In the case of a student, for example, one has to examine the administrators at the school and district officials. Specifically, we must investigate if they were aware of any sexual misconduct or abuse complaints involving this teacher. And if they knew, what did they do about it?
Basically, we are referring to a school district’s duty of care to the students they serve. Abuse allegations or any type of inappropriate conduct by a teacher must be fully investigated, and school administrators are required by law to contact the police and the student’s parents / guardians. There are other actions they should have taken to protect the child while ensuring that there are no further incidents of abuse at the school. If the school failed to act appropriately, they can be sued for the sexual abuse of a child, even if they are not direct participants in the assault.
Our lawyers are here for you 24/7, so contact us today and let us educate you on your rights and the legal actions you can take if you were sexually abused by former middle school teacher Charles Wright.
Case Value of a Lawsuit for Sexual Assault
A sexual assault lawsuit where the victim is a minor typically has values exceeding $1,000,000. Of course, you have cases that fall below this amount, but we would say that the majority of child sexual abuse lawsuits at our law firm settle for around $1,500,000 to $5,000,000. Now and then, we have cases that result in a settlement or verdict of over $10,000,000, but this is quite rare and reserved only for the most extreme cases of sexual assault where a school district is responsible. It’s helpful to know about average case values for a sexual abuse lawsuit, but it’s not the same as finding out what you, as an individual, are entitled to from the entities that failed to keep you safe. That’s why it’s important to consult a sexual assault lawyer as soon as possible.
How Long Do Sexual Abuse Cases Take to Settle?
Claims for sexual abuse, including acts of sexual assault, normally take between 1 and 2 years to settle. But there are cases that defy the norm, and that’s why you can end up with a fair settlement offer in just a few months. On the other hand, you may have to present your case before a judge and jury because the other side is unwilling to negotiate in good faith. In these instances, a school district sexual abuse case may not be resolved for over 3 years. We can talk to you in more detail about your case timeline during a free consultation. That way, you can have a sense of the legal process and what is involved in order to achieve justice as a victim of sexual abuse.
Is there a Time Limit to File a Lawsuit?
Yes, all lawsuits must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is based on the type of claim you are filing. For a claim involving sexual abuse while you were the age of adulthood in California (18 and up), you have 10 years to sue an individual or entity for monetary damages. If you were under 18 at the time, you can file a child sexual abuse lawsuit until the age of 40, or 22 years from when you turn 18.
The statute of limitations can change, depending on the type of offense and your own personal circumstances. To ensure that you are going by the correct deadline for a lawsuit, contact our law firm immediately.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
Assistance from a sexual assault lawyer is just a phone call away, so please reach out to us at your earliest convenience. If you were sexually assaulted by Charles Wright, representation from an experienced attorney is the key to obtaining justice. We understand that finances are a concern, but here at Normandie, we have a Zero Fee Guarantee that we extend to all our clients.
If we win your case, the negligent party pays legal fees as a part of your settlement check. If we don’t recover you settlement, you won’t receive any bills from us. If you would like a free consultation to learn about your rights and legal options, please contact our office.