Located in Long Beach, California, the Harbor View Center is a medical facility that specializes in mental health services. Most of the patients are minors who are struggling with various mental health problems that compromise their ability to stay on the right track. As a result, they are at greater risk of committing legal offenses that require sentencing by the juvenile justice system. Harbor View also provides support services for family members, who are likely to be suffering from mental illnesses or need help managing a child with serious behavioral issues.
There is no denying that Harbor View and other mental health clinics provide a valuable service to the community. On the other hand, psychiatric facilities can suffer due to poor management, lack of supervision, and leaders who fail to take immediate and decisive action when there are allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
Sadly, sexual abuse is very common in places that serve vulnerable populations, like people with mental health conditions. In fact, sexual predators often work at these places for the sole purpose of finding victims that are not in a position to defend themselves, or know what to do if they are sexually assaulted or abused.
The memories of sexual abuse never go away, but moving forward is possible with professional counseling and learning about the legal options that are available to you. To explore the option of suing the Harbor View Center for sexual abuse, please reach out to us for a free consultation.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Can I File a Lawsuit against Harbor View Center for Sexual Abuse?
Yes, you can sue for being sexually assaulted or abused while you were at the Harbor View Center. Aside from the person that’s guilty of sexual misconduct, you may also have grounds to sue the county of Los Angeles. This is due to the fact that Harbor View is a county hospital under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Unfortunately, government agencies in Los Angeles often fail in their duty of care to children and adults at detention facilities, residential group homes, and mental health clinics. Due to their negligence, countless patients are taken advantage of and left to suffer with the trauma of sexual exploitation.
In all fairness, we can’t expect the people in charge to prevent every incident of mistreatment at a mental health facility. But county officials have a legal obligation to supervise these facilities and take immediate action when there are signs or complaints of sexual abuse. This includes conducting an investigation with help from law enforcement and ensuring that the victim (or their family) is aware of their legal rights. Those who are under investigation for sexual misconduct should be removed from the facility until it is conclusively proven that the allegations against them are false.
The truth is, most abuse complaints from patients and their loved ones are ignored or improperly investigated. Or, if there is evidence showing that the allegations are credible, it’s destroyed or hidden instead of being turned over to the authorities. In some cases, patients and their loved ones are threatened or pressured into dropping the complaint or accepting a few thousand dollars to settle the case and forfeit the right to a future lawsuit.
Negligence or misconduct by the county should not go unpunished, but we know how difficult it is to speak out when you are the victim of sexual abuse. Our lawyers ready to listen and provide you with advice on how you can seek justice for the harm you suffered. Contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation with one of our legal experts.
Harbor View Center
Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Case Values
A mental health center sexual abuse lawsuit value can range from $450,000 to $10,000,000, though it’s safe to say that most payments fall between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. Overall, claims for the sexual abuse of a minor have higher values than lawsuits where the victim is an adult. Nevertheless, it’s unconscionable to sexually exploit those with mental health issues. As a result, 7-figure settlements and verdicts are fairly common for sexual abuse lawsuits at county hospitals and psychiatric centers.
Figuring out how much you can receive from a lawsuit is a complicated process that requires help from an experienced attorney. To discuss the potential amount you can receive from a Harbor View sexual abuse claim, give us a call as soon as possible.
How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?
A sexual abuse lawsuit may be settled within a few months, or 3 or more years, depending on a variety of issues that are specific to each case. But going by how long it takes to settle a government agency claim, it’s safe to say that a Harbor View Center sexual abuse lawsuit will probably take 1 to 2 years. This is particularly true with cases of child sexual abuse that occurred 10 or more years ago.
During a free consultation, we can go over the issues that impact how long it takes to settle a mental health center sexual assault lawsuit. No matter how long it takes to bring you justice, our lawyers are with you every step of the way. Our sole motivation is to hold the county responsible and secure the settlement you deserve as someone that was sexually abused at the Harbor View Center.
Deadline to Sue Harbor View Center for Sexual Abuse
Those who were sexually abused as adults have 10 years from the incident date to file a lawsuit against the Harbor View Center. If you were younger than 18 at the time, you are classified as a minor, so you have 22 years from turning 18 years old if you wish to sue for sexual misconduct by a Harbor View Center employee.
If you are older than 40, you may qualify for a lawsuit under the discovery rule, a legal exception for cases of childhood sexual abuse. If you find out about an injury or illness that resulted from sexual abuse prior to the age of 18, you have 5 years to file a claim and demand compensation from the responsible entity.
The advantage of the discovery rule is that you are not bound by a specific age or number of years when it comes to filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit. Instead, the statute of limitations is determined by when the victim realizes the harmful effects of sexual abuse, which manifests as a psychological or physical condition. Usually, the victim has mental health issues due to the repression of sexual abuse, but they are unaware of the connection for many years. Once they realize the link between sexual abuse and a specific condition / illness, they have 5 years to file a Harbor View Center child sexual abuse lawsuit.
Hire a Sexual Abuse Lawyer for $0
At Normandie Law Firm, we believe that victims of neglect and abuse deserve free representation from a qualified attorney. Our contingency fee agreement, known as the Zero Fee Guarantee, reflects our commitment to protecting your finances and ensuring that you can file a lawsuit without spending a penny.
All the costs associated with your case are covered by us and reimbursed by the County of Los Angeles as a portion of your settlement check. If we don’t win your case, we eat the costs under our policy of “No Recovery – No Payment.”
Our legal team is waiting to speak with you and help you determine the best course of action, so please schedule a free case review by contacting our office.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
San Bernardino County being Sued by Man Who was Sexually Abused at a Juvenile Hall
Eastlake Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Camp David Gonzales – Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawyer
