Were you or a loved one sexually abused while visiting or staying at Kedren Community Health Center Inc., also known as Kedren Health? This organization was founded in 1965 after the Watts riots in order to provide mental health services, primary care, and education to underserved populations in South Los Angeles. While the Health Center started out with good intentions, they have been plagued over the years by accusations of poor management, understaffing, and lack of appropriate safety measures for their patients. Currently, our law firm is investigating allegations of sexual abuse at this facility in the 1970s. However, sexual misconduct has been a long-standing problem at Kedren, and we believe that there are a multitude of victims who are unaware of their rights and legal options.
Without a doubt, sexual abuse is extremely difficult to talk about. For many years, victims were too ashamed to speak out and take legal action, but lawsuits against the Catholic Church, Boys Scouts of America, and various other organizations are proof that justice is possible in these cases. Our lawyers can help, with our many years of experience in adult and childhood sexual abuse claims. Please give us a call to speak with a Kedren Community sexual abuse attorney.
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What are my Rights as a Sexual Abuse Victim?
If you were a victim of sexual abuse at Kedren Health, you may have grounds to seek monetary damages through a civil lawsuit. What you can recover will depend on your personal circumstances, but legal actions for sexual abuse normally include:
- Cost of medical treatments for bodily injuries
- Cost of mental health services (counseling, medications, etc.)
- Lost wages due to missed time at work (for medical treatments, counseling, etc.)
- Pain and suffering
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
As you can see, you have the right to demand a variety of compensation, which include emotional damages, like pain and suffering. If negligence by Kedren Health that led to you being sexually abused was especially outrageous, you may receive punitive damages, which is a form of punishment for the defendant. By the time an institution is called out for sexual abuse, there may be hundreds of victims throughout a period of several decades. It’s not unusual for these organizations to ignore reports of sexual assault, destroy records, or engage in other acts that allow the abuse to continue. As there is no limit to the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in California, payouts in these cases can easily exceed $1 million.
Can I Sue Kedren Community Health Center Inc. for Sexual Abuse?
Suing your attacker for sexual assault seems obvious, but can you also sue Kedren Community Health Center if you were abused on their property? Yes, if were sexually abused due to an act of negligence by the organization, you have the right to sue Kedren Health for your physical and emotional injuries.
Negligence refers to an individual or entity’s lack of reasonable care, meaning they failed to take certain actions that could have prevented harm to another person. For example, Kedren Hall was under fire in 2019 for the death of a patient that was housed in their psychiatric unit. The patient had been killed by his roommate – an incident that may have been prevented if there was an after-hours psychiatrist to evaluate in-house patients. This incident led to an investigation, which revealed allegations of physical abuse and sexual assaults on patients, among other concerns. There is no is publicly available information about the sexual abuse victim, who reported that she was assaulted by her roommate. However, we believe many other victims are out there, and they deserve justice for what they went through.
According to state and federal regulators, Kedren has made many reforms to improve the level of care they offer their patients. However, there is no guarantee that the organization has taken all the necessary steps to prevent sexual assault incidents at their facilities. Lack of security measures, inadequate staffing, failure to isolate dangerous patients, and many other forms of negligence can lead to someone suffering from a violent attack. Uncovering the truth of why you were sexually abused is the key to succeeding in a lawsuit against Kedren Health.
How long do I have to File a Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for a sexual abuse lawsuit depends on whether you were an adult or a minor at the time of the abuse. If you were 18 or over, you have 10 years from the date of the incident (or the date of the last incident) to seek damages from your attacker and any other responsible parties. But the timeframe is a lot longer if you were a child when you were sexually assaulted at Kedren Community Health Center.
Under California’s AB-218 (Assembly Bill 218), you have until the age of 40 or 5 years from discovering the abuse / effects of the abuse to file a lawsuit – whichever date comes later. However, this law went into effect on January 1, 2020, which leaves many victims asking, “What if the statute of limitations on my case was expired by then? Is there any chance that I can still file a lawsuit?” The answer is yes, thanks to AB-218’s three-year lookback window. During this three-year time period, victims can bring forth cases that were previously barred due to the old statute of limitations. However, the lookback window expires as of December 31, 2022, so please call us right away to ensure that your claim is filed on time.
Average Case Value for a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
While there is no “average” value for a case of sexual abuse, settlements can fall within the range of $1 million to $7.5 million, depending on the extent of the victim’s physical and emotional injuries. The number of times the victim was assaulted, how old they were, cover up attempts by the organization – these are just some of the issues we look at when we determine the value of your case. We also have to look at future expenses for medical care, including mental health services, which many victims need for the rest of their lives.
But let’s talk a bit more about cover ups of sexual abuse by an organization, which is extremely important in cases of child sexual assault. AB-218 has a provision known as “treble damages,” which means a defendant may be ordered to pay three times the normal amount of damages if they engaged in a deliberate cover up of child sexual abuse. This is sadly common with religious, medical, and community organizations that care more about their public image than the people they serve. Treble damages have a significant impact on the value of a sexual abuse claim, which our attorneys can explain to you in detail during a free consultation.
Keep in mind that each case of sexual assault is unique, and it’s important to work with an experienced lawyer who will consider all the relevant factors. Otherwise, your case value will suffer and you will be left with less compensation than you deserve. The lawyers of Normandie have decades of experience in the recovery of sexual abuse settlements. We are more than ready to fight for your rights and bring you maximum payment in a sexual abuse case against Kedren Health.
How long does it take to Settle these Cases?
We have found that the settlement process for these cases can take anywhere from a few months to several years. The other party’s willingness to admit fault is one of the biggest factors in the settlement process. Because of the accusations Kedren Health has faced over the years, they may want to settle as soon as possible in order to avoid negative press. As long as they work with us to negotiate a fair settlement, your case may be resolved in 6 to 8 months.
But things can go in the opposite direction, meaning Kedren Health will dig in their heels and fight tooth and nail to avoid paying on a claim. Negotiating a settlement is still possible in most of these cases, though it may take up to 18 months to recover your payment. If the defense absolutely refuses to settle, we will file a lawsuit and prepare to argue your case in front of a judge and jury. Around 95% of lawsuits are settled before the trial date, but getting to that point can still take 2 or more years.
Second Opinion from a Lawyer Experienced in Sexual Abuse Cases
Even if you have an active claim, there may be times when you disagree with your lawyer. You may also be confused about specific issues in your case, but you don’t understand what your law firm is telling you, or you can’t get in touch with your attorney. A second opinion can be very helpful in these situations, which is a free, no-obligation case review with one of our attorneys.
Many people who come to us for a second opinion are frustrated by their lawyer’s lack of communication, knowledge, or dedication to their case. Sometimes, these are misunderstandings that can be cleared up with an honest conversation. Other times, it’s a sign that you may need to switch your lawyer to someone who can give you the time and attention you deserve. Our lawyers will advise you of your legal options, but there’s no obligation to do anything once the meeting is over. As the consultation is completely free, you have nothing to lose by scheduling a second opinion at our office.
Free Legal Services from the Lawyers of Normandie
Community-based medical facilities like Kedren Health provide services for the most vulnerable members of our society. As a result, they have a legal and ethical duty to ensure the safety of their premises for all guests and visitors. Acts of negligence and misconduct by the hospital is unacceptable, as it can lead to incidents like sexual assault. If you were a victim of sexual abuse at Kedren Community Health Center, we can help you obtain compensation for your pain and trauma.
Our law firm provides free legal services to victims of sexual assault, who should not have to choose between justice and financial hardship. You will be offered a Zero fee guarantee from the moment you sign on with us, meaning we cover all the costs associated with your lawsuit. The only time we get paid is when you receive your settlement, which will include the cost of legal fees. If we don’t win your case, you won’t be responsible for any of our expenses.
To speak with a California sexual abuse attorney, please give us a call at our office.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Filing Deadline – MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Case
Maclaren Hall Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit Information
Can I get a Cash Advance on my MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Case
