Were you subjected to sexual abuse by someone working for the Challenger Memorial Youth Center, located at 5300 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536? You are probably aware that this facility closed several years ago, and most recently, plans were underway to convert it into a job training center for young adults.
Perhaps, like many other former inmates, you were triggered by this announcement due to your experiences while staying at the facility as a juvenile inmate. We know for a fact that you are one of many victims who were targeted by a child predator and left with the scars of sexual abuse. There is no denying that the juvenile justice system has consistently failed in its mission to provide a safe and healing environment for youth offenders.
If you suffered psychological damage and/or physical injuries from sexual assault and abuse, please contact the Challenger Memorial Youth Center sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie Law Firm. We look forward to meeting you and providing options on what you can do as a victim of sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center.
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Plans to Repurpose the Challenger Memorial Youth Center
In 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to repurpose a juvenile detention camp known as the Challenger Memorial Youth Center. In 2022, it was announced that the property would be converted into a residential job training facility for 18 to 25 year olds that are former juvenile inmates, had aged out of foster care, or were homeless. While living at the facility, these individuals will receive education, training for jobs, mental health counselling, and other services that will help them become productive members of society.
It’s ironic that what was once a place of punishment ordered by the court will now be used on a voluntary basis. In a report to the county supervisors, the goal of the project was to “[turn] away from incarcerating young people and moving toward educating and supporting them, by transforming a punitive detention facility into a place of home, opportunity and hope.”
We fully support shutting down neglected detention centers and using them to provide opportunities for those who are struggling. But one has to ask, where was this level of hope and support for the kids who were incarcerated at this youth camp for over 30 years? Based on the stories we have heard from former inmates, “punitive detention facility” is an understatement, considering the hazardous conditions and abuse of inmates that they had to endure on a daily basis.
As sexual abuse attorneys, we know all too well the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that takes place in juvenile halls in Los Angeles County. The clients we have represented over the years are still haunted by the memories of harassment and assault from probation officers, administrators, counselors, and other adults who were in charge of their health and well-being.
Our law firm is dedicated to juvenile hall sex abuse victims, who deserve justice, no matter how long ago they stayed at Challenger Memorial Youth Center. For a free case evaluation on your rights and legal options, contact us today.
Can I Sue Challenger Memorial Youth Center for Sexual Abuse?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit for being sexually abused at the Challenger Memorial Youth Center in Lancaster, CA. Some people are under the assumption that you can’t sue a facility if they are shut down by the county, but that’s not true at all, since you can still go after the person that abused you, the officials that failed to help you, and the Los Angeles County Probation Department, as they are the operators of Challenger Memorial Youth Center.
In just about every case we have investigated, neglect and misconduct by juvenile hall administrators is the reason why sexual abuse of children is so rampant at youth detention centers. We will never know for sure how bad the problem is, considering the countless number of inmates who have been in the system. However, our clients have come to us with stories of being ignored, in spite of repeated abuse complaints against a staff member.
The vast majority of juvenile inmates are threatened with loss of privileges or time added to their sentence. If there was an investigation, they were told that there is no evidence to support their allegations. Or, they would promise the inmate that the offender would be punished, which means a brief suspension rather than being removed entirely from the facility. Alternatively, they would “get rid of the problem” by letting the employee resign with a clean record, thereby allowing them to get a job at another juvenile hall or camp.
This is just a sampling of negligence that we have uncovered in several decades of representing juvenile hall sexual abuse victims. The road to justice won’t be easy, but we are more than ready to fight for your interests and bring you the compensation you deserve from a lawsuit against the Challenger Memorial Youth Center.
Can I File a Challenger Memorial Youth Center Class Action Lawsuit?
Yes, you can file a class action lawsuit for sexual abuse at Challenger Memorial Youth Center, meaning you wish to be part of a lawsuit with other victims who experienced a similar pattern of abuse. To get started on a lawsuit, simply contact us at your earliest convenience and talk to a sexual abuse class action lawyer. Our law firm is with you every step of the way, from filing the necessary paperwork to finding former inmates to join your lawsuit. Then, we will put together a strong and compelling case and fight tirelessly to recover a favorable settlement award.
Before you commit to a lawsuit, we want you to be 100% sure that doing so is in your best interest. That’s why we urge you to give us a call and schedule a free consultation.
How Much are these Lawsuits Worth on Average?
Challenger Memorial Youth Center sexual abuse lawsuits may be settled for anywhere from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. But some cases will not fall within range for a variety of reasons that are specific to your case. On average, those who are sexually assaulted versus sexually harassed tend to receive higher payments, though this is not an absolute rule. Occasionally, we have lawsuits that are settled for close to or over $10,000,000, but these are not common occurrences.
Keep in mind the average case value of a Challenger Memorial Youth Center inmate abuse lawsuit is not necessary what you will end up if you decide to sue Los Angeles County. To find out the approximate value of your own lawsuit for sexual abuse at Challenger Memorial Youth Center, contact us today.
How Long Do Challenger Memorial Youth Center Sexual Abuse Cases Take to Settle?
On average, it takes around 1 to 2 years to settle a sexual abuse claim against the Challenger Memorial Youth Center. A juvenile hall sexual assault lawsuit can sometimes be resolved in less than 6 months, but most cases will take at least 1 year due to the complications of suing a government entity. If there are other complex issues in your case, like gross negligence by the county and profound, lifelong injuries caused by sexual abuse, negotiating a settlement can take 18 months or longer.
At some point, we may decide that asking for a trial date is the best option. Please know that even if a trial is scheduled, over 95% of these lawsuits are settled out of court. In the rare event that trying your case in court is the only option, it can take over 3 years before a verdict is issued by the jury.
Statute of Limitations for a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
If you were sexually abused at Challenger Memorial Youth Center as an adult (18 years or older), you have 10 years to file a lawsuit, starting from the most recent incident of sexual misconduct. As a minor (under 18), your deadline to sue for sexual abuse is 22 years after your 18th birthday. Thus, it would seem that anyone over the age of 40 is prohibited from filing a child sexual abuse lawsuit.
Fortunately, the statute of limitations for sexual abuse during childhood can also be determined by the discovery of bodily harm and psychological injury. The delayed discovery of injuries from sexual abuse is very common among child victims, particularly those in government institutions. Suppression of abuse at these places is a matter of survival, and this becomes a pattern whenever the inmate is reminded of what happened at the Challenger Memorial Youth Center.
The cycle of repressing traumatic events is why so many former inmates end up with mental health disorders. This is a psychological injury that be used as the basis for a sexual assault lawsuit. However, it may take 20, 30, or even 40 years before you realize that these issues are a direct result of being sexually abused as a child. Once you make the discovery of an injury from sexual abuse, you have 5 years to sue the liable entities for monetary damages.
The 5-year discovery rule is a complicated concept, so don’t worry if you still have questions about your eligibly for a Challenger Memorial Youth Center lawsuit. Our legal experts can verify just how long you have for a juvenile hall sexual abuse claim during a free, private consultation.
Contact a Lawyer Who can Sue Challenger Memorial Youth Center
Obtaining legal advice from an experienced attorney is crucial for anyone who was sexually abused while staying at a juvenile detention facility. However, you may be worried about the costs associated with hiring a lawyer, which is why we have a Zero Fee Guarantee for all clients here at Normandie Law Firm. We charge you $0 upfront, and instead, ask LA County to cover all the fees associated with your case. This is paid to us as a part of your settlement award, so winning your case is the only way we get paid.
To schedule a free case evaluation with a child sexual assault lawyer, contact our office.
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