The Sexual Abuse and Assault Litigation Division at Normandie Law Firm is investigating child sexual abuse allegations by Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City, California. If you or your loved one was abused by 6th-grade teacher Jacqueline Ma, please contact us immediately.
On March 7, 2023, award-winning South Bay elementary school teacher Jacqueline Ma was arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse. Ma faces the following charges according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department:
- 3 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14
- 3 counts of oral copulation with a child under 14
Investigators have not supplied details on when the acts of abuse took place. The investigation was launched by the National City Police Department after one parent reported that her 13-year-old may have had an inappropriate relationship with their teacher, Jacqueline Ma.
Such incidents are unfortunately common within school systems, as they are the ideal place for a sexual predator to take advantage of trusting and vulnerable children. It’s unknown how long Ma has been abusing the students in her classes, but we believe there are many more victims out there, who deserve justice for the lifelong damage they have suffered. These victims may have the right to file a lawsuit against Ma, the school district, and anyone else that is liable for their physical and emotional injuries.
To discuss your legal options with an experienced child sexual assault lawsuit attorney, contact our law firm as soon as possible.
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Can I Sue the School if I was Sexually Abused by a Teacher?
Most lawsuits for school sexual abuse are filed against multiple parties, including the school district. So yes, it’s possible to sue a public entity like the school system if you or your child was sexually assaulted by a teacher. The key is to pin down how the school was responsible, or rather, how they were negligent in their duty of care to you. Acts of negligence by a school system include, but are not limited to:
- Insufficient background checks prior to hiring
- Negligent training / supervision
- Failing to take abuse allegations seriously
- Failing to notice signs of abuse among the students
- Attempting to conceal or destroy evidence of child sexual assault, like not contacting the authorities or failing to conduct a proper investigation of the accused.
There may be other acts of negligence that apply to your own situation, which will help us figure out the right parties to go after. To protect your rights and ensure that you receive justice under the law, please speak with a child sexual abuse lawyer at our office.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for a Case of Child Sexual Abuse
Statute of limitations is a law that governs how long an injury victim has to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This is a rather complicated concept when it comes to the sexual abuse of a minor, so it’s in your best interest to speak with one of our attorneys right away on this issue. In general, victims of child sexual assault have up until the age of 40, or within 5 years from the time they discover the effects of sexual abuse during childhood. This latter part of the law requires a thorough discussion with an experienced attorney. This is particularly important for anyone who is currently an adult, as they will want as much time as possible to pursue a lawsuit against the liable entities. Contact us today to verify the amount of time you have left to file a public school sexual abuse lawsuit
Average Case Value for a Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Settlements for a case of child sexual abuse are generally high, especially when they involve major entities like public schools, government agencies, and religious organizations. While it’s impossible to state an “average” value for these cases, it’s not unusual for claimants to end up with settlements of $1.5 million or more. Depending on the number of incidents, if there was a cover up attempt by the organization, and many other factors, some cases may be worth around five to ten million dollars.
But the value of your case is an issue that’s specific to you and your own circumstances. Our attorneys are here if you’d like to discuss the value of your sexual abuse claim as a victim of Jacqueline Ma.
Length of Time to Recover Your Settlement
This is possibly the most frustrating aspect of any lawsuit, especially if you are an adult victim who has lived with the scars of sexual abuse by a teacher for many years. Of course, no matter how long ago the incident occurred, your interest is in obtaining your payment and moving forward with your life. That is our number one goal as well, and with that in mind, we aim to recover all settlement within 6 months of filing a legal action. The majority of our claims fall under this timeline, as long as the school is willing to work towards a fair settlement.
However, there are many circumstances that can add to the case resolution timeline. For example, it may be best to file a class action lawsuit with other victims, depending on how many other students come forward with their stories. Class action claims are very effective at getting results, but they can also take longer to settle – possibly 2 or more years. As you can see, there are various considerations that you will need to think about, which is why we invite you to come and see us for a free consultation.
Contact us for Free Case Evaluation
At the end of the day, what to do about a case of sexual assault is a personal decision. However, making that decision requires careful consideration of your rights and legal options, which you can only obtain from a lawyer that’s experienced in child sexual abuse claims against public school systems. The attorneys of Normandie are here to listen to your story, advise you of your available legal actions, and help you choose the best course of action.
Our law firm offers free initial consultations, as well as second opinions on pending sexual abuse claims if you need a fresh pair of eyes to review your case. If it’s decided by you and your loved ones that we are the right law firm to represent you, there is nothing for you to pay under the Zero Fee Guarantee. This is our pledge to you that you will never have to choose between the cost of legal fees and fighting for the justice you deserve. The only time we get paid is at the end of your case, when we secure the full settlement you are entitled to.
If you’re ready to learn more about the process of filing a sexual abuse lawsuit, contact us today for a free case review.
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