Were you or your child sexually assaulted or harassed by a staff member at an Oxnard elementary school? Did an Oxnard middle school or high school employee take advantage of you in a sexual manner?
Oxnard is the most populous city in Ventura County, CA, and as a result, the number of school age children exceeds that of most other municipalities in California. That’s why the schools are divided between two school districts – Oxnard Union High School District and the Oxnard Elementary School District. Unfortunately, sexual abuse of students occurs on a frequent basis at these institutions, and school district officials often fail in their duty of care to the underage victim.
Here at Normandie Law Firm, we know how sexual abuse during childhood can stay with you for the rest of your life. Most of the clients we represent are adults, who ran from the memories of assault and harassment for many years. Though money cannot take away what happened to you, demanding justice through a sexual abuse lawsuit can help you move forward and live the quality of life you want and deserve.
Our attorneys are available to speak with you, so call us right away to discuss your rights and legal options if you were sexually abused while attending a public school in Oxnard, California.
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Can I Sue if I was Sexually Abused at My School?
Yes, you can sue if you were sexually abused while attending a school in the Oxnard Elementary School District or Oxnard Union High School District. Even if you are adult who was sexually abused many years ago, the statute of limitations is very generous when it comes to lawsuits for child sexual assault. We will talk more about the deadline for a lawsuit later on in this article. For now, let’s look at the parameters that define child sexual abuse.
Essentially, anyone below the age of 18 is considered a minor, and minors cannot consent to sexual activity under California law. Thus, engaging in a sexual conduct with someone younger than 18 is child sexual abuse, even if the child was a willing participant.
With minors, their “willingness” is based on a limited understanding of sex, relationships, and the implication of engaging in sexual activity with a teacher or any other adult in a school setting. Therefore, this is a form of exploitation and abuse, not a consensual relationship between two mature individuals. This is the basis of a criminal prosecution against the adult, but the victim can also sue the abuser and the school system that failed to protect them from a sexual predator.
Liability by a School District for Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment of Students
When a student is sexually abused, there is a certain protocol that must be followed in order to protect the victim and ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted into the allegations. Sadly, we know that far too many school officials are more concerned about the district’s image and preventing costly litigation than they are in keeping their students safe.
As a sexual abuse law firm specializing in child abuse cases, we have come across shocking levels of neglect and misconduct. Schools are aware of an abuser on their premises, but they allow the person to keep their job year after year, or they “pass the trash” onto another district while staying silent about the accusations of sexual misconduct. If a student brings evidence that’s difficult to ignore, the school promises to take action, but instead, hides or destroys the evidence and manipulates the student into thinking that nothing can be done.
These are examples of negligence that can serve as grounds for a sexual abuse lawsuit against an Oxnard elementary or high school. For more information on suing an Oxnard California school district for child sexual assault, contact the sex abuse attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
List of Schools for Oxnard Elementary School District and Oxnard Union High School District
The Oxnard school system is split into two school districts: Oxnard Elementary School District and Oxnard Union High School District. Here is a complete list of all the preschool, elementary, junior high, and high schools that are in these districts:
- Bernice Curren School (K-8)
- Cesar Chavez School (K-8)
- Christa McAuliffe School (K-5)
- Dennis McKinna School (K-5)
- Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Academy of Arts and Sciences (6-8)
- Driffill School (PreK-8)
- Elm Street School (K-5)
- Emilie Ritchen School (PreK-5)
- Frank Academy of Marine Science and Engineering (6-8)
- Fremont Academy of Environmental Science & Innovative Design (6-8)
- Juan Lagunas Soria (K-8)
- Kamala School (K-8)
- Lemonwood School (PreK-8)
- Marina West School (K-5)
- Norma Harrington School (PreK-5)
- Norman R. Brekke School (K-5)
- Ramona School (PreK-5)
- Rose Avenue School (PreK-5)
- San Miguel School (Preschool)
- Sierra Linda School (PreK-5)
- Thurgood Marshall School (K-8)
- Oxnard High School
- Pacifica High School
- Condor High School
- Vista Real Charter High School – Boys and Girls Club
- Channel Islands High School
- Adolfo Camarillo High School
- Frontier High School
- Hueneme High School
- Rio Mesa High School
- Rancho Campana High School
Average Case Value of a Oxnard School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
A school sexual abuse lawsuit is worth between $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 if the student was sexually assaulted by a teacher, administrator, or another school employee. If the student is subjected to sexual harassment by a staff member, the value of a Oxnard School District sexual abuse case may be under $1,500,000.
When we set out to calculate the amount of compensation for a child sexual abuse lawsuit, here are some of the factors we look at:
- The type of sexual misconduct that occurred (molestation, child rape, grooming, exchanging sexual content, etc.)
- Injuries that resulted from these acts, including mental health issues
- Monetary losses that are owed to the victim, such as emotional distress and pain and suffering
- If school district officials failed to protect the child upon knowledge of sexual abuse at one of their schools, or they did not take the necessary measures to prevent the hiring of a dangerous individual
How much you can receive in compensation from a school sexual assault case depends on many details that are specific to you and the harm you suffered as a victim of childhood abuse. That’s why we invite you to meet with our legal experts, who will help you determine a settlement value that’s right for you.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a School Sexual Abuse Case?
It takes anywhere from several months to 3 or more years to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit against Oxnard Elementary School District and High School District. But if we look at the majority of sexual misconduct claims against school employees, the average amount of time to reach a settlement is 12 to 24 months. Please note that most of these cases (over 95%) are settled through negotiations between attorneys. That means it’s extremely unlikely that your case will go to trial. If that does happen, settling a sexual abuse of a minor lawsuit can take 3 years or longer.
How Much Time Do I have to Sue for Sexual Assault during Childhood?
Claims involving child sexual abuse must be filed by the victim’s 40th birthday, which gives you 22 years from the time you are 18 years old. But there are situations where it can take victims longer to discover the impact of sexual abuse on their lives. In most cases, the adult is living with various mental health or physical disorders due to sexual abuse from a PE teacher, principal, bus driver, coach, etc. But they don’t realize that these issues are connected to the emotional trauma of sexual assault for many years.
If there is a delayed discovery of abuse-related injuries, the victim has 5 years to sue the school district, even if they are past 40 years old. However, lawsuits based on the discovery of injuries as an adult survivor of child abuse are extremely complex legal actions. To ensure that you are granted an extension from the court system, please seek guidance from a sexual abuse law firm.
Contact the Offices of Normandie Law Firm
Are you in need of legal advice from an experienced sexual abuse attorney? Don’t hesitate to give us a call and learn about the legal options that are available to you. We have decades of experience in representing adult survivors of sexual abuse, as well as the families of child sexual assault victims. We have a proven track of settlements and verdicts, and we are more than ready to fight for justice on your behalf.
We have a Zero Fee Guarantee policy, meaning clients never pay out of pocket to hire an Oxnard Elementary School District and Oxnard Union High School District sexual assault attorney. It’s the school system that pays for the cost of legal fees, which we only receive by winning your case.
If you are interested in a free case evaluation or second opinion consultation, contact our law firm as soon as possible.
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