Coachella Prison Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys

Unfortunately, prison sexual abuse is a major problem in prisons throughout California. Prisoners suffer sexual abuse at the hands of guards, directors, counselors, other staff, and other prisoners. If you were abused during your time at a prison, it is important that you reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. Sexual abuse in a prison can be considered a civil rights violation. If you were raped or sexually abused in another way, you could have grounds to sue and recover significant compensation. For more information about your right to sue for sexual abuse at a prison, contact the experts here at our law firm today.

Our prison sexual abuse lawyers here at the Normandie Law Firm are committed to getting our clients the maximum recovery that they are owed. Our team has decades of experience and is ready to take on the parties and entities responsible for the harm that you suffered; we are not afraid to take on the city, county, state, or any government entities to fight for the rights of our clients. Contact us today to learn more about the legal options available to you.

Sexual Abuse in Prisons

Sexual abuse can include rape, attempted rape, fondling, unwanted touching, forcing the victim to perform sexual acts (including oral copulation or penetrating the attacker), etc. All types of sexual abuse can lead to harm. Rape, specifically, can result in sexually transmitted infections, injuries to the genitals, injuries to reproductive organs (and sometimes to other organs), unwanted pregnancies, and other injuries (usually defensive injuries or injuries caused when the attacker is using force during the abuse) like fractures, lacerations, scrapes, and bruises, for example. All sexual abuse can result in extensive mental and emotional harm, which can include fear, panic disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, for example.

It is also important to note that victims of prison sexual abuse often do not seek medical care for their injuries. Without the appropriate care, injuries obviously worsen over time.

In many cases, victims do not report the rape or abuse. This might be due to threats made by the attacker or fear that they may be abused again. Unfortunately, reported abuse often goes ignored, so victims may not even consider reporting for this reason. Because victims are prisoners, they usually have to continue seeing their attackers around; this results in even more mental and emotional harm.

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Some Common Questions – Can I Sue for My Situation?

Below, we have listed some of the questions that we often receive from victims of sexual abuse in prisons:

• Can I sue the prison if I was raped?
• Can I sue if I was molested in prison or jail?
• Can I sue for transgender sexual abuse?
• Can I sue for inmate-on-inmate rape?
• What if my rapist was another inmate?
• Can I sue the prison if I was sexually abused or raped by a prison guard?
• Can I sue if prison staff sexually abused me?

The answer to all these questions is yes. You could sue for the sexual abuse that you suffered. This is actually based on your civil rights, which you have even as a prisoner. We will discuss these rights ahead.

The Eighth Amendment and Prison Sexual Abuse (including Rape)

Of course, when someone commits a crime and is taken to prison, they lose some rights. Still, there are rights that stand even in prison. These are protected by the U.S. Constitution, more specifically, by the Eight Amendment. Under the Eighth Amendment, prisoners are protected from “cruel and unusual punishment,” which includes intentionally degrading punishment, punishment too severe compared to the crime committed, and torture. However, these protections extend to also include humane living conditions, access to medical care, and protection from violence at the hands of guards, other prison staff, and other inmates. Because sexual abuse can be classified as violence, prisoners are protected under the Eight Amendment.

As mentioned previously, sexual abuse is common in prisons. This is because of the failure to supervise inmates, to separate inmates when violence occurs, to supervise interactions between inmates and guards or other staff, to subject all staff to thorough background checks, to investigate and handle all reports of sexual abuse, for example. All of these failures contribute to the likelihood of sexual abuse in prisons. The fact is that countless prisons simply fail to keep inmates safe from sexual abuse and other harm.

Can I Recover Compensation if I Sue?

Yes, you could be eligible to recover compensation if your Coachella prison sexual abuse lawsuit is ultimately successful. Every case is different, but some of the categories of compensation generally available for recovery can include the following:

• Medical costs
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages
• Treble damages
• Legal fees

In general, sexual abuse cases can be high-value – especially if the abuse was covered up. Under California law, cases consisting of covered up sexual abuse incidents are eligible for treble damages (which triples the total damages awarded).

If you suffered sexual assault in Coachella Prison, you might have many questions. How much is my prison sexual abuse case worth? What is the average case value of sexual abuse cases similar to mine? These are very important questions. However, the truth is that only a lawyer can answer these questions. It is also important to note that although discussing average values can help you better understand case values and how specific details affect case values, you should never assume the value of your claim based on other case values.

In general, case values for prison sexual abuse cases can range anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million – and sometimes more. Again, every case is different. We recommend that you contact a prison sexual abuse lawyer as soon as possible to get a better understanding of the possible value of your claim and what you could be awarded. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are committed to helping you secure the highest payout available for your prison sexual abuse claim.

How Long Do I Have to File for Prison Sexual Abuse?

All claims are subject to a statute of limitations which determines the time that claimants have to file their claims. If claimants do not file their claims on time, then they can lose the right to sue entirely. So, what is the time limit to file a prison sexual abuse case? In general, adult victims of sexual abuse have ten years to file a claim. However, when it comes to prison sexual abuse, this ten-year deadline only applies to abuse that occurred in a privately-owned prison. What if the abuse occurred at a state-run prison? For abuse that occurs in prisons run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, claimants will need to file a government claim. Government claims are subject to a six-month deadline. After this initial claim, claimants will have either an additional six months or two years to file a civil lawsuit.

Without a doubt, trying to figure out the deadline that applies to your claim can be confusing. We urge you to find a lawyer as soon as possible. Here at our law firm, our team is more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need file you claim on time.

How to Join a Class Action Case?

If there is multiple victims of sexual abuse at Coachella Prison, then a class action lawsuit is likely. A class action occurs when multiple claimants come together to take on the same defendant after being harmed in the same way. To join a class action lawsuit on any case, you simply have to reach out to a lawyer and express that you would like to participate in the case. If you are unsure of whether you should participate in a class action claim or pursue your claim individually, contact us today. Our experts will help you better understand the legal options available to you.

Contact Our Coachella Prison Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys Today

Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our prison sexual abuse lawyers are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to file your lawsuit and recover compensation for your sexual abuse claim. Whether you were abused in Palm Springs Jail, John J. Benoit Detention Center, Ironwood State Prison, Calipatria State Prison, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, Riverside County Blythe Jail, or any other prison/jail in the state, our lawyers can help you. Our prison sexual abuse lawyers have decades of experience handling personal injury claims, including sexual abuse claims, and fighting for the rights of all victims.

We offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our prison sexual abuse lawyers will answer your questions and address all your concerns. Our team will provide you with the information that you need to fight for your rights and recover the payout that you are owed. To benefit from these free legal services, contact us today. We offer a Zero-Fee Guarantee, so our clients will never have to pay any upfront legal fees. In addition, we work on contingency; this means that our clients will not be required to pay legal fees unless their claims are successful. If you do not win, you will not pay anything.

Contact our prison sexual abuse lawyers in Coachella for more information about your rights.

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