Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility is a minimum security detention center for male youth offenders. The facility has had a troubled history for many years, and in 2022, it was agreed that OAYRF would close once and for all. This is due to many changes in the juvenile justice system, including a focus on rehabilitative services that are appropriate for low to moderate-risk offenders.
These changes can help prevent much of the abuse that goes on at these facilities, but only if the people in charge are committed to protecting children from predatory adults. Sadly, the lack of safety and supervision in California’s juvenile halls is shocking, and much of it can be blamed on the agencies in charge, like the Contra Costa County Probation Department.
Were you or someone you know sexually abused while being detained at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility? Are you interested in learning about your rights and legal options, including the right to file a Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility abuse lawsuit? The members of our legal team are ready to answer your questions and help you explore the legal actions that are available to you. With decades of experience in child sexual abuse claims against county and state agencies, you can count on us to fight for the settlement you deserve.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Sexual Abuse against Minors at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility
The acts of sexual abuse that take place inside America’s juvenile halls is disturbing on many levels, and there’s no solution that’s guaranteed to stop these acts altogether. Minimum security youths are especially vulnerable to sexual exploitation, as they are generally misguided kids in search of love and attention. Child abusers understand this dynamic and infiltrate youth-centered facilities for the purpose of sexual gratification.
Through the many years we have been representing child abuse victims, we have come across harrowing cases of rape and physical assault. But the vast majority of child molesters are more subtle with their approach. Instead of brutally forcing the child, they take the time to connect with them on an emotional level. This way, the youth is lulled into a sense of safety and comfort, and less likely to react in a negative manner when they are sexually abused.
Sexual abuse of a juvenile inmate can take place in many forms, including fondling and kissing, oral sex, exposing one’s genitals to a minor, sending nude pics, and vaginal intercourse / sodomy. Many of these kids know that it’s wrong, but they are also at the mercy of the employee that’s abusing them. They know that “snitching” can result in physical beatings, additional time, and other kinds of retaliation. As a result, they stay silent for many years, until it becomes unbearable to live with the memories of being sexually abused.
Frankly, we don’t blame you if you are reluctant to seek help from the legal system. They’ve failed you once before, and your trust in authority figures is understandably broken. However, our attorneys are here to serve you and your interests in a sexual assault lawsuit against Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility. You can rely on us to fight for every penny you deserve, while holding the county responsible for its failure to keep you safe from a dangerous individual.
Whether you choose to go ahead with a lawsuit or not is completely up to you. Our mission is to offer advice and ensure that you are making the best decision for you and your loved ones. To schedule a free case review with an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility sexual molestation lawyer, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.
Can I Sue if I was Sexually Abused at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility?
Yes, you can sue if you were sexually abused by a counselor, probation officer, administrator, or another staff member at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility. Along with your abuser, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against Contra Costa County, as Orin Allen is operated by the county’s Probation Department.
Cases of juvenile hall child abuse typically involve negligence by agency officials, who can also be sued if they failed in their duty of care to the victim. This happens far too often, and it’s not unusual for agencies to conceal evidence of neglect, physical abuse, and sexual assault by employees at youth detention centers. Such actions enable the abuser to keep hurting children they are supposed to protect. Even when the perpetrator is removed from the facility, it’s only to send them to another juvenile hall or camp, where they can find a whole new set of victims.
What this amounts to is illegal and unethical conduct by county officials, and children who are scarred for the rest of their lives due to a situation that’s beyond their control. However, exercising your rights and filing a lawsuit against the Contra Costa County is a way to take back control from the people that hurt you. The first step is to contact a lawyer who can sue Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility on your behalf, or that of your loved one.
How to File an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit
To file a class action lawsuit for sexual abuse at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility, please contact our office to speak with an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility class action lawsuit attorney. Aside from assisting you with the filing process, we can educate you on the pros of cons of a class action claim and ensure that this is the right choice for you.
With abuse claims against a major organization, filing as a group can be very helpful, as it allows many victims to receive justice at the same time. In addition, you have a very compelling case due to the number of former and current inmates coming forward with similar stories. This is why class actions are generally successful, with large settlements on behalf of those who were sexually abused at a juvenile justice center.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages to filing a class action, which you should be aware of. Based on the circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit is more suitable for some people who were sexually assaulted at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility. To discuss your legal options with an experienced juvenile hall abuse attorney, call us to schedule a free case evaluation.
How Much is the Average Settlement for these Cases?
The value of an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility sexual abuse lawsuit is around $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. This is based on settlements that are typically recovered by the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility sexual abuse lawyers at our office. However, we also have cases that are settled for around $500,000 or less, while others exceed $10,000,000.
The vast differences in these amounts have to do with many issues that are specific to the client and the injuries they’ve suffered. When it comes to a sexual abuse during childhood claim, most of the injuries are emotional, though a victim can certainly have physical injuries. Negligence by the juvenile hall and county officials also has an impact on settlement values, especially if they chose to hide evidence of sexual abuse by one of their employees.
As there are so many factors that play a role in settlement values, it’s best to discuss your case with an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility sexual abuse attorney. A legal expert here at Normandie Law Firm can provide you with a detailed explanation of your case value, along with the damages you are entitled to, which may include:
- Expenses for medical treatments and services
- Value of lost wages or lost earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Cost of hiring an attorney
- Punitive damages
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Claim?
An Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility sexual abuse lawsuit can take around 6 to 24 months to settle. The majority of cases will take 1 or more years, due to the complexity of suing a government agency and investigating your case to collect the necessary evidence. It can take 2 to 3 years to settle an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility sexual abuse class action lawsuit if we are able to negotiate directly with the defendant. If we need to try your case in court, a juvenile hall sexual assault lawsuit can take 4 or more years.
Please note that we are able to reach a settlement out of court on behalf of most victims who were sexually abused at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility. This is how over 95% of all lawsuits are resolved, which is why we say that the amount of time to settle a sexual assault lawsuit is around 1 to 2 years. However, we can provide you with a better sense of how long it may take to reach a settlement once we understand the details of your case.
Deadline for an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility Sexual Assault Lawsuit
The statute of limitations to file a juvenile sexual abuse lawsuit is within 22 years from the victim’s 18th’s birthday. In other words, you have until the age of 40 to file a lawsuit against Contra Costa County. Essentially, even if you were sexually abused many years ago, you may still have the opportunity to file a lawsuit with help from an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility abuse attorney.
It’s important to note that California laws on child abuse have undergone many changes in the past few years. That means greater protections for adult survivors of child sexual assault, including more opportunity to seek justice in the civil courts. To verify your eligibility for a lawsuit, please talk to a childhood sexual assault lawyer at our law firm.
If I’m Past the Age of 40, Can I File a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Yes, you may still have the chance to file an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility assault lawsuit for sexual abuse if you meet the standards for the 5-year discovery rule. According to California’s Assembly Bill 218, victims can file a lawsuit within 5 years of discovering emotional or physical damage from an incident of child sexual abuse.
In essence, the discovery rule takes away the age requirement for lawsuits involving sexual assault or exploitation of minors. However, the plaintiff must show proof that they made the connection between what they went through as a child and their current health issues. For example, a female inmate at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility is befriended by a probation officer that wants to sexually abuse her. After making her feel special and cared for, he starts groping her breasts and engaging in other acts of inappropriate touching.
In order to get through her sentence without retaliation from the officer or other inmates, she represses the memories of abuse and never talks about it. Over time, her anger and self-hatred cause her to develop serious mental health issues, like depression and drug abuse. With help from a therapist, she learns that the root of her problem is the abuse she suffered while she was a juvenile inmate.
The suppression of sexual abuse is very common among underage victims, which is why the discovery rule is such a valuable form of protection for those who were taken advantage of by a sexual predator. As we mentioned, you would need to present evidence of discovering the impact of sexual abuse past the age of 40. The Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility abuse lawyers of Normandie are here to help, so call us to get started on a California juvenile hall sexual assault lawsuit.
Legal Advice from an Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility Sexual Assault Lawyer
“Justice is for all” is not just a throwaway statement for us here at Normandie Law Firm. However, we know that finances are the biggest obstacle for anyone that’s been injured due to someone else’s negligence. To help you on your journey to recovery, we ensure that all legal fees are paid by the party you are suing. This is known as the Zero Fee Guarantee, and it’s offered to anyone that comes to us for help on a case for sexual abuse at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility.
Under this policy, you pay nothing for the entire duration of your case. That’s our promise to you, whether you start an abuse claim with us or want to continue an existing lawsuit. Once we recover your settlement, a portion of it goes to cover our expenses. We don’t get paid any other way, so if you don’t receive payment from a juvenile hall sexual abuse lawsuit, neither do we.
For a free consultation or free second opinion from one of our attorneys, contact us as soon as possible.
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