Pleasant Valley State Prison is a minimum to maximum security detention center located in Fresno County, California. The facility is known for housing notorious criminals such as Erik Menendez, Hans Reiser, and Sirhan and Sirhan. Like most state prisons, there’s no getting around the fact that these inmates are serving time for a good reason. Nevertheless, there are laws and codes of ethical conduct that apply to all individuals, whether they are incarcerated or walking free on the streets. For one thing, everyone has the right to humane and respectful treatment, which does not include abuse and exploitation.
Sadly, those who are in prison are vulnerable to predatory correctional officers and other workers who take advantage of them in the worst possible ways. Sexual assault of inmates, along with various forms of sexual exploitation, takes place on a frequent basis at prisons and jails throughout California. As a current or former inmate of Pleasant Valley State Prison, you may feel like you are without rights, but that is not the case. You have the right to pursue a case for sexual abuse through the civil court system and obtain compensation from the liable entities, like the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
For more information on filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against Pleasant Valley State Prison, schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
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$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Who can I Sue if I was Sexually Abused at Pleasant Valley State Prison?
You can seek compensation from the person that sexually abused you, but there may be other entities you can sue, like the agency that’s in charge of operating the prison. Pleasant Valley State Prison is managed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which is an entity of the California State government.
We have investigated enough of these cases to know that much of the blame for the abuse of inmates can be blamed on the people in charge, like officials at the county and state level. As a general rule, these people are fully aware of assault and abuse incidents that go on at these facilities. But there is a code of silence that places jobs, paychecks, and reputations above the safety of sexual abuse victims.
In most cases, a failure to act and follow the proper protocols is responsible for the culture of sexual misconduct at places like Pleasant Valley State Prison. Then, there are more extreme cases where evidence of sexual assault or harassment against inmates is destroyed or hidden. Such cover up attempts constitutes gross negligence, and this is a critical factor when it comes to the amount of compensation that you can receive from a prison sexual abuse lawsuit.
Obtaining justice for sexual assault and solicitation at a prison is a complicated process, but our legal experts are with your every step of the way. Contact our law firm to discuss the option of suing Pleasant Valley State Prison for sexual abuse by one of its staff members.
Can I Sue Even Though I am Still in Prison?
Yes, you have the right to sue for being sexually abused by a prison staff member, even if you are still serving out a sentence. This is a civil right that cannot be taken away, but it must be acknowledged that suing the prison is much more complicated if you are still incarcerated.
Perhaps you have some familiarity with the grievance procedures at Pleasant Valley State Prison and how confusing they can be for the average inmate. This is fairly standard at any prison, and unfortunately, most inmates give up in frustration and endure the abuse month after month, year after year.
This is why it’s so important to contact a lawyer who is experienced in lawsuits against state prisons in California. The road to justice won’t be easy, but we assure you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. For advice and guidance from an inmate sexual assault lawsuit attorney, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Average Value of a State Prison Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
How much you can receive from a Pleasant Valley State Prison sexual abuse lawsuit can range from $450,000 to $5,000,000 and above. The majority of claimants end up with payments between $2,000,000 and $3,500,000 for sexual assault, and $1,500,000 or less for incidents of solicitation and harassment. Please note that case values are based on many factors that we need to discuss with you in person. Until then, there is no way to provide you with the amount of compensation that you are entitled to as a victim of sexual abuse. Contact the prison sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie and schedule a free consultation.
How Long will It Take to Settle a Pleasant Valley State Prison Sex Abuse Case?
Settling a Pleasant Valley State Prison lawsuit for sexual abuse can take 1 to 3 years, though we would say that the majority of cases take around 12 to 24 months. But there are exceptions to the rule, so in reality, case timelines can be anywhere from a few months to over 2 years. We want to caution you that lawsuits against the California state government are extremely complex, and these cases are not associated with fast timelines. This is particularly true in the wake of social movements and changes in the laws that have encouraged more victims to come forward and file claims against various prisons throughout the state. That’s why 1 to 2 years is the expected timeline for the average Pleasant Valley State Prison sexual assault or abuse lawsuit.
How Much Time Do I have to File a Lawsuit?
Adults in California (individuals 18 years or older) have 10 years from the date of abuse to file a lawsuit for monetary damages. If you were a victim of multiple assault / abuse incidents, which is very common in the prison system, the statute of limitations for a lawsuit begins on the date of the last (most recent) incident.
Depending on your personal circumstances, you may have longer to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse at a California state prison. Currently, there is a legislation known as the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, or Assembly Bill 2777, which provides a 3 year timeframe for eligible claimants who wish to file a lawsuit. The 3 year look back window applies even if your case has technically exceeded the statute of limitations, so it may not be too late to sue Pleasant Valley State Prison for your harm and suffering.
Since the deadline for a prison sexual assault lawsuit can be challenging to figure out, we suggest that you talk to a California sexual abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact a Prison Inmate Sexual Abuse Attorney
Sexual misconduct by prison guards and other employees at a correctional facility occurs at disturbingly high rates, and as a victim, we know how daunting it can be to assert your rights and demand justice from the State of California.
Let us do the heavy lifting for you in a lawsuit for sexual abuse at Pleasant Valley State Prison. We will take care of the necessary paperwork, gather evidence, talk to medical and financial experts, and fight to bring you the highest possible settlement in a lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. We can do all this, by the way, without charging you a single penny, since all legal fees are covered by the party you are suing. Our lawyers also operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee, so if we don’t win your lawsuit, you owe us $0 for the cost of representing you.
Contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation to learn about your rights and legal options if you were sexually abused at Pleasant Valley State Prison.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Ventura County Juvenile Facilities Complex Sex Abuse Lawsuit Lawyers
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San Bernardino County being Sued by Man Who was Sexually Abused at a Juvenile Hall
