On May 11, 2023, Darrell Wayne Smith, former correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, was arrested on 12 counts of sexual abuse. These offenses were committed against inmates at FCI Dublin, which is a federal prison for females located in Dublin, California. The incidents he is charged with involve 3 women, who have accused Smith of sexually abusing them between the years of 2019 and 2021.
Sadly, Smith is just one of many employees at FCI Dublin that have been accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other forms of abuse against female inmates. An investigation by the Associated Press in 2021 revealed the culture of “rampant sexual abuse” taking place behind closed doors at this federal prison. Many of the women were afraid to come forward due to threats, physical assault, and other acts of retaliation from the guards. Within the past year, there have been six employees that were charged with inmate abuse, including former warden of FCI Dublin, Ray J. Garcia. He was recently sentenced to 6 years in prison for multiple counts of sexual abuse against three female inmates.
Are you a former or current inmate at FCI Dublin, who was sexually abused by Darrell Wayne Smith? Were you, or are you currently being abused by an employee at Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin or any other federal prison in California? You may have grounds to sue the prison system and various other entities for monetary compensation, which you can learn about from a sexual abuse lawsuit attorney at our office. Contact us right away to schedule a free case evaluation if you were sexually abused while you were incarcerated at a California federal prison.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Who is Responsible for a Case of Prison Sexual Abuse?
Aside from the perpetrator of the abuse, there may be other parties that are liable when someone is sexually assaulted at a government institution, such as FCI Dublin. For example, there are the wardens and other administrators of the prison that should have been aware of what was going on in their facility. Then, there is the agency in charge of federal prisons in the United States, which is the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). These entities often know about the abuse that’s going on, but ignore complaints against the abuser or engage in cover-up attempts. This can make them complicit in case of sexual abuse, which means they can be sued by the victims for monetary compensation.
In short, there are many elements that need to be examined when we are trying to determine who is responsible for the sexual abuse of an inmate in the federal prison system. To ensure that you have a solid case against all the individuals that have caused you harm, contact us immediately to speak with an inmate sexual abuse lawsuit attorney.
Can I File a Lawsuit if I’m Currently Incarcerated at FCI Dublin?
Yes, your right to legal action is the same as anyone else if you are being abused by someone in the prison where you are currently incarcerated. This includes the right to sue your abuser and any other individuals that are responsible for what has happened to you. However, an inmate must start the legal process by filing a grievance, which is a complicated system of rules and regulations. In fact, many victims are discouraged from filing a complaint once they discover how difficult it is to navigate the prison’s grievance system.
Guidance from an experienced prison sexual abuse lawyer is crucial to succeeding in a lawsuit against FCI Dublin and other federal correctional institutions in the state of California. Our lawyers are here for you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you are the victim of sexual assault at a California federal prison.
Average Value of a Prison Sexual Abuse Claim
Cases involving sexual abuse are associated with high values, often in the range of $500,000 to several million dollars. This is based on many different factors that are unique to the victim and the injuries they are left with, which includes emotional trauma. Negligence by the defendant is another crucial element, especially if there is a long-standing history of abuse, which they attempted to conceal from the authorities. We can discuss all the relevant factors with you in detail during a free consultation and help you determine a settlement amount that’s right for you.
How Long is the Process to Settle these Cases?
There are two issues at hand when we set out to recover payment on behalf of our clients: 1) reaching a settlement as soon as possible; and 2) making sure that they receive a fair amount of compensation. Getting to the point where we achieve both of these goals can take one or more years, based on the complications that are involved. Sometimes, the other side is eager to close out the case in a timely manner, and a settlement is achieved in just a few months. But this is unlikely in cases of inmate sexual abuse, as claims against government entities usually take longer to resolve than lawsuits against private individuals / businesses. It’s possible that your case will go to trial, though most sex abuse complaints are settled successfully before the trial date. Still, it can take up to several years to secure a settlement award in cases of sexual abuse against an inmate.
Filing Deadline for a Prison Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Normally, the statute of limitations for a sexual abuse lawsuit is 10 years if the victim is 18 years or older at the time of the incident. However, the 10-year SOL applies to sexual assault cases on or after January 1, 2019. If your case occurred before this date, you would only have 3 years to bring a lawsuit against the prison system and anyone else that’s liable for a case of sexual abuse in the prison system.
There is, however, a law that’s currently in place, which provides additional time to file a lawsuit for adult victims of sexual violence. The Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, or Assembly Bill 2777, offers a three-year lookback window on claims that were previously expired under the old statute of limitations. That means you may still have an opportunity to seek justice for the abuse you endured as a former inmate of Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin. The lookback window only lasts until December 31, 2026, so call us right away to verify your eligibility for a prison sexual assault lawsuit.
Lawyers with Experience in Prison Sexual Abuse Cases
Acts of sexual abuse can happen to anyone, and no one is spared of the devastating impact of being violated in this manner. Justice is possible for sex abuse victims in both the criminal and civil courts, but we know how challenging it can be to come forward with an accusation when you have been convicted of a crime.
The saying, “justice for all” is not taken for granted here at Normandie Law Firm. You are no different in our eyes than any other victim of sex abuse, and you can count on us to fight tirelessly for the settlement you are owed.
If you have a lawyer already, but you want to discuss your case with another legal expert, we would be happy to offer you a free second opinion. Many law firms are eager to sign clients for high-profile lawsuits, like sexual assault against prison inmates. But they lack the dedication and experience that’s needed for these cases, and as a result, clients are left without answers or the compensation they deserve. If you suspect that your case is stuck in limbo, please take some time to learn about your legal options during a free second opinion consultation.
Regardless of where you are in the legal process, you will receive free legal services, starting from the very first consultation. We don’t make a cent unless we win your case and secure payment from the party you are suing. To take advantage of the Zero Fee Guarantee at our law firm, contact us today and schedule a free case review with an FCI Dublin sex abuse attorney.
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