Though it’s an extreme measure, there are instances where a child needs to be removed from the family home. These cases involve neglect and abuse at extreme levels, to where removal of the child can literally save their life. However, America’s foster care system is based on the reunification of parents and children whenever possible, and that’s why most of these kids are temporarily removed from the home. In the meantime, the parents will receive treatment and services to help them improve their lives and show that they have what it takes to provide for their children.
In an ideal world, these kids would go to private homes with foster parents who can give them the love, attention, and guidance they need and deserve. However, this is impossible, considering the number of children that are currently in the system. That’s why counties rely on residential group homes that serve as temporary shelters for kids who are taken away from their parents.
The Polinksy Children Center is a foster care group home for kids up to 17 years old. Located at 9400 Ruffin Ct, San Diego, CA 92123, the facility is separated into 6 cottages, a nursery, infirmary, gymnasium, and library. While the center receives private donations, this is to augment the money they receive from San Diego County. Thus, the county has a duty of care to stay on top of what goes on at the
Polinksy Children Center, like making sure that children are not mistreated by the staff members.
Sadly, there is inadequate supervision at many of these places, along with a longstanding culture of child abuse, including sexual assault and solicitation. An example that has been in the news time and time again is MacLaren Hall, which was shut down in 2003 due to shocking levels of physical abuse and sexual misconduct by the employees.
If you or someone in your family was sexually abused at the Polinksy Children’s Center, you have the right to seek justice from the responsible parties. The process of filing a lawsuit and obtaining the compensation you deserve is a complicated process, but our attorneys are with you every step of the way. Contact our law firm to discuss your rights and legal options with a Polinsky Children’s Center sexual abuse attorney.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Can I Sue San Diego County if I was Sexually Abused at the Polinsky Children’s Center?
Yes, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against San Diego County if you were sexually abused while staying at a foster care group home. When a child is harmed in this type of setting, the problem usually goes deeper than the individual that committed the abuse. The entity in charge of operations, supervision, and holding employees accountable is the county’s Health and Human Services Agency.
In our experience, there is excessive negligence and misconduct within the foster care system that results in children being sexually and physically abused by foster parents, case workers, and other kids at the facility. And we recognize that there are challenges to managing so many cases and dealing with problems like overcrowding and children with severe psychological issues. But these are the symptoms of a broken system that needs to be rebuilt, and in the meantime, the county has a legal duty to provide a safe environment for children that have been removed from their homes.
Unfortunately, we have come across one too many cases where children with clear signs of physical and emotional abuse were left to suffer, day in and day out. These kids are rarely taken aside and given the time and attention that could have encouraged them to talk about what was going on. In some cases, the administration is fully aware that children are being sexually assaulted and exploited by staff members. Instead of reporting the abusers to the authorities, the victims are coerced into silence, either by threats or bribes. In the worst case scenario, reports are altered or destroyed to make it seem like everything’s fine and dandy at a residential group home that is plagued by a culture of child abuse.
Negligence and misconduct at places like the Polinsky Chlidren’s Center cannot go unpunished, considering the impact of sexual abuse on a child’s life. Many of the adults that contact us are just starting to come to terms with what they went through, but it’s clear that they have suffered greatly throughout the years. Victims of sexual assault at a foster care residential group home have trust issues, problems managing their anger, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and many other symptoms of sexual abuse during their childhood.
While money can’t make up for the full extent of what you endured, it’s a valuable form of justice for those who were taken advantage of by a sexual predator. For more information on filling a Polinsky Children’s Center child sexual assault lawsuit, contact our office.
Foster Care Abuse Lawsuit Values
A lawsuit for child abuse at a foster care group home is generally worth 6 to 7 figures, within the range of $500,000 to $10,000,000. If we were to narrow things down further, cases of sexual abuse are likely to be settled for around $1,500,000 to $5,000,000. Based on the acts that occurred, the injuries resulting from the abuse, level of negligence by county officials, it’s possible to see verdicts or settlements awards that exceed $10,000,000. However, such high payments are associated with the most extreme, long-term cases of sexual assault against a minor. For the most part, we would say that childhood sexual abuse victims end up with payments that are between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000.
How Long Do Foster Care Sexual Abuse Cases Take to Settle?
On average, it takes anywhere from 1 to 3 years to settle a sexual abuse claim against the Polinksy Children’s Center. In fact, many of these lawsuits will take over 2 years due to the complications of suing an entity that’s managed by the government. Having said that, we do sometimes have cases where a fair settlement is achieved within 6 months. But this is the exception to the rule, especially when you consider the number of sexual abuse lawsuits that have been filed against county and state governments in the last few years. Overall, we would say that reaching a settlement in under 12 months is unlikely if you are suing for sexual abuse at a residential group home for foster care children.
What is the Time Limit to File a Foster Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
If you were a minor (below 18 years old) at the time you were sexually abused at the Polinksy Children’s Center, you must file a lawsuit by the time you are 40 years old. That means you have 22 years after you are legally an adult if you wish to file a compensation claim against San Diego County.
Victims also have the option of filing a lawsuit under the discovery rule. Most children who are assaulted or abused in a sexual manner do not talk about what happened due to fear, guilt, and shame. But these feelings don’t just go away. Rather, they fester into psychological issues that affect your quality of life in many ways. Once a victim is ready to deal with the pain and trauma of sexual abuse at a foster care group home, that’s when they realize the source of their anger, commitment issues, self-harming behaviors, and other signs of emotional trauma.
At the point of discovering how childhood sexual abuse has injured you, the statute of limitations for a lawsuit against the Polinsky Children’s Center is 5 years from the date of discovery.
Contact a Foster Care Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Theoretically, foster care should be a safe harbor for minors who are removed from unsafe and abusive homes. But in reality, the foster care system may be the source of lifelong trauma for a child who is already struggling for survival. While sexual abuse cannot be eradicated completely from the system, there’s no denying that most of these cases would not have happened were if not for negligence by the social workers, foster care agency administrators, and officials of the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency.
Our lawyers are ready to listen to your story and educate you on the legal actions you can take against the people that failed you. If you decide to file a child sexual abuse lawsuit, we will never ask you for payment, since we add the cost of legal fees onto your settlement demands. As a result, we only get paid if you receive compensation from San Diego County. Otherwise, the Zero Fee Guarantee kicks in to ensure that you pay nothing if we don’t win your case.
Contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case review if you were subjected to sexual abuse while staying at the Polinsky Children’s Center in San Diego, California.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Sexual Abuse at Camp Erwin Owen – Lawyer for Child Abuse Vicims
San Bernardino KinderCare Child Abuse Lawsuit Attorney
LA Child Care Center Sex Abuse and Physical Abuse Lawsuit Information
