Basketball Coach Sexual Assault Lawyer

Sexual abuse of minors in sports has gained considerable attention in recent years, largely due to social media platforms where victims can share their stories and connect with others who have been through similar experiences. We have come to realize that the problem is more widespread that we had previously imagined, and far too many children are left to suffer with the anger, guilt, and shame of sexual assault and exploitation.

In particular, we have seen a wave of athletes come forward with stories of sexual abuse by their coaches, in both public and private settings. Coaches and coaching assistants play a huge role in a child athlete’s life, and sadly, some of these individuals exploit their position of authority. As a result, victims can end up with lifelong mental health issues that impact their personal and professional lives.

Were you sexually abused by a basketball coach at your school, a sports academy, sports camp, or any other institution? At Normandie Law Firm, we understand the devastation that these events can cause throughout your life. That’s why we are committed to fighting for the rights of child sexual abuse survivors and securing the compensation they are entitled to. Please contact our law firm and talk to a lawyer who can help you file a basketball coach sexual assault lawsuit.

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Understanding Coach Sexual Abuse

Most cases of coach sexual abuse begin with grooming, where the adult works on forming a close, emotional bond with the student. This can be done in many ways, like texting or using a chat app to communicate with the victim. Most parents think nothing of this type of interaction, as it’s a fairly common practice between students and teachers, tutors, coaches, and other adults in the child’s life.

Unfortunately, the opportunity is there for a predatory basketball coach to compliment the athlete, make comments about their body, and engage in conversation that is not appropriate between adults and children. Eventually, the coach moves on to flirting and intimate forms of touching after practice, at private training sessions, and bus or plane trips to basketball games. At some point, the abuser will talk the victim into meeting them privately for sex.

The child may feel conflicted about what’s going on, but they don’t want to lose the special relationship they have with their coach. Furthermore, the coach may have promised them opportunities like introducing them to college scouts and helping them land athletic scholarships. In short, there is a lot of influence that a sports coach has over an underage athlete, and this is why it’s easy to manipulate these kids into a sexual relationship that goes on for years.

Coach Sexual Abuse and Its Impact on Survivors

Child sexual abuse has a profound impact on the victim’s emotional state, especially when the perpetrator is someone they trust and care about. Some of our clients are minors and their parents or guardians, but in recent years, we are hearing from more and more adults who wish to file a legal action for sexual abuse while they were children.

These people struggle with depression, anger management, suicidal thoughts, commitment phobias, substance abuse, inability to keep a job, and many other problems that are commonly associated with sexual abuse. We also have to acknowledge how being sexually assaulted by a basketball coach takes away the athlete’s enjoyment of the sport that they are passionate about. Due to the trauma and conflicted emotions they can’t handle, many of them struggle in school and give up opportunities like going to college or pursuing a career in basketball.

As you can see, there are many things that are taken away from you when a sports coach violates you in a sexual manner. This is why we are passionate in our commitment to victims and ensuring that they have the necessary funds to move forward with their life. If you would like to explore the option of suing for sexual assault by a basketball coach, call us to schedule a free consultation.

Who can be Sued for Sexual Abuse of a Minor Athlete?

The entities that can be sued for sexual abuse of a minor depend on the individuals that had a duty of care to the child. For instance, if you were abused by a basketball coach at your school, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the school district. This is possible if there is proof of negligence by district officials and their employees, like failing to contact the police when there are allegations or signs of sexual misconduct by a sports coach. Some districts also fail to conduct investigations on their own and suspend or fire a coach, even when there is a long list of complaints against them regarding sexually inappropriate conduct with their students.

Athletes also work with coaches in training camps and academies, and these businesses also have legal obligations when it comes to sexual abuse by one of their employees. So do sports organizations that establish leagues and organize competitions and other events. Sadly, we know there is a lot of negligence and misconduct that goes on within these entities, and this is why governing bodies for youth sports are facing an onslaught of lawsuits filed by former athletes.

Figuring out who you can sue in a basketball coach sexual abuse lawsuit can be challenging, and that’s why our lawyers are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation with a basketball coach sexual abuse attorney.

Case Values for a Basketball Coach Sexual Abuse Case

The amount of compensation for a child sexual abuse claim is generally 6 to 7 figures, with sexual assault cases resulting in higher payments than lawsuits for sexual harassment and exploitation. A sports coach sexual assault lawsuit settlement is likely to settle for anywhere between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. If you are part of a class action lawsuit with other athletes, the total sum can easily exceed $10,000,000. But the payment is shared among all the members in the lawsuit, so the actual amount for each victim may be anywhere from $400,000 to $1,000,000.

Remember that these are estimates, and the value of a basketball coach sexual abuse lawsuit will vary significantly from one claimant to another. The best thing to do is reach out to a lawyer with experience in coach sexual abuse claims, who can determine a settlement amount that’s right for you.

What is my Deadline to Sue for Sexual Assault by a Sports Coach?

As someone who was sexually abused prior to the age of 18, you have 22 years to file a claim for monetary damages. This window of time starts from when you are an adult under California law, so by doing the math, you can see that the deadline to file a lawsuit is whenever you turn 40 years old.

But this is not the only standard that is used to figure out the statute of limitations for a child sexual abuse claim. California’s law on sexual abuse during childhood has a discovery rule, which recognizes that sexual assault victims have a tendency to repress their pain and trauma. With minors, there is the fear of telling someone what happened, or getting the abuser in trouble and losing out of the love and friendship they have come to depend on. Unfortunately, long-term suppression of sex abuse results in various mental health issues, which we talked about earlier in this article.

With many of the victims we work with, it’s clear that the realization of injuries caused by sexual abuse can take many years. Some of them are well over the age of 40 by the time they understand how these incidents with a trusted adult have affected their lives. However, they have 5 years from the date of realization to file a lawsuit, thanks to the discovery rule.

A sexual abuse attorney can answer any questions you have about the statute of limitations to sue for sexual assault or exploitation of an underage athlete. All you have to do is contact us and schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team.

Contact a Youth Sports Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Justice may seem like a foreign concept to you if many years have gone by since you were sexually abused by a basketball coach. But California’s progressive laws on child sex abuse have it possible for many adults to file a claim and obtain the compensation they deserve.

Worries over how much it will cost to hire a lawyer may be holding you back from contacting us. Let us put your mind at ease with the Zero Fee Guarantee, where all clients pay $0 out of pocket. All legal fees are paid at the end of your case, and only if we reach a settlement or verdict in your favor. That means you owe us absolutely nothing if we fail to win your case.

For a detailed discussion of your rights and legal options, contact us right away to schedule a free case review.

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