Jewish schools are a category of private schools that provide both a Jewish and a secular education for those of Jewish descent. Most of these are day schools that follow the traditional timeline of a public school system, but there are also weekend schools and boarding schools, where students live full-time. Many of these schools are founded and run by rabbis, and these religious leaders are greatly admired by the students and their parents. But there are many other adults that the children look up to, such as teachers, teaching assistants, resource specialists, and support staff, like janitors and the school nurse.
With so many adults at these schools, parents take it for granted that their children are in good hands. Unfortunately, sexual predators often look for jobs at these places in order to have access to vulnerable children. Negligence by administrators is often to blame for the hiring of these people, not to mention, how long they are allowed to get away with their crimes.
Whether the perpetrator is a rabbi, teacher, or any other adult at a Jewish school, there is no way to underestimate the catastrophic impact of child sexual abuse. Many victims try to get help by notifying someone at the school, only to be ignored or made to feel ashamed for reporting the abuser. Even if the school believes the child, many of these institutions are desperate to preserve their standing in the community. As a result, investigations go nowhere, and the child – and most likely many other children – continues to be victimized by acts of sexual assault.
Were you or your child sexually abused by a rabbi or another adult at a Jewish day school? Molestation, rape, attempted rape, grooming, fondling, exchanging sexually explicit texts are just a few examples of child sexual assault. As a victim, you may have grounds to seek monetary compensation from your attacker and the school where the abuse took place. Our sexual abuse lawsuit attorneys are ready to advise you and help you decide on the best course of action if you were abused at a Jewish school, such as Hebrew School, Jewish Day School, Yeshiva, or Talmud Torah.
Can I Sue the School for a Case of Sexual Abuse?
Clearly, the perpetrator of the abuse is the one that’s directly responsible for harming you. At a Jewish day school, the perpetrator may be the rabbi, a teacher, or another adult that works at the school. But is that the only party that you can go after? Typically, the answer is no, when acts of sexual assault take place between teachers and students. Most of these lawsuits are filed against multiple defendants, including the school district, or the actual school in the case of a Jewish day school.
In order to sue a Jewish school, you would have to prove that they were complicit in the abuse, or that they were negligent in their duty of care to you and the other students. Essentially, you are proving that the school is liable (legally responsible) for your injuries, even if they are not the actual abuser. Here are some examples of negligence by a Jewish school:
- Lack of or insufficient background checks
- Poor training and/or lack of supervision
- Ignoring complaints of sexual assault from students and staff members
- Failing to notice clear signs of an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student
- Cover up attempts, like not calling the police or destroying reports / evidence of child sexual abuse.
Your own case of sexual abuse at a Jewish school may involve other acts of negligence, so please take some time to discuss your rights with a sexual assault lawyer at our law firm. If you are eligible for a lawsuit, you can count on us to take immediate action and ensure that justice is served for you and your loved ones.
What is the Average Value of a Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Case values for lawsuits involving child abuse tend to be high, usually in the 6 to 7 figure range. Because there are many circumstances that are unique to each case, it would be a disservice to provide an “average” settlement amount. Based on our many years of experience with these claims, we would say that $500,000 to $1. 5 million is a good range to keep in mind. But we’ve also recovered $5 million and above in some cases, and most of these were against entities that are supposed to protect children, like foster care agencies, juvenile detention centers, and public / private schools.
If you would like to discuss the potential value of your own Jewish school sexual abuse case, please give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation.
How Long is the Case Settlement Process?
No matter the circumstance, we know how eager you are to settle your case and put this chapter of your life behind you. We always endeavor to resolve a sexual abuse claim within 6 months through private negotiations with the defendant. Of course, you will be informed every step of the way, and the only way we will accept a settlement is if you are 100% comfortable with the offer. But getting the other side to offer a fair amount is the hard part, and getting to that point can take around 12 to 18 months. For some claimants, filing a lawsuit and preparing to go to trial may be the best option, but most of these cases are settled before the trial date. Nevertheless, resolving a lawsuit can take 2 or more years, depending on the necessary legal actions.
Statute of Limitations to File a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
As with any lawsuit, there is a strict deadline for how long you have to sue for an act of sexual assault while you were a minor. In California, victims can choose the latter of the following dates:
- 22 years after turning 18 years old, or up to the age of 40.
- 5 years from discovering an act of child sexual abuse, or the physical / psychological effects of sexual abuse during childhood.
To give yourself as much time as possible for a lawsuit, contact us right away to discuss which of these conditions applies to you. These provisions, which are detailed in Assembly Bill 218, are crucial for adult survivors of child sexual assault, who were unable to speak out or seek justice at the time they were being abused. However, it’s not too late to go after the system that failed you and demand the compensation you are legally entitled to.
Free Second Opinion Consultation
Do you have an active sexual abuse claim with another law firm? Are you happy with the quality of representation you are receiving? If not, we believe that you would benefit from a free second opinion with the lawyers of Normandie. This is a completely free service, where you can have your case evaluated by a lawyer that’s experienced in child sexual assault lawsuits. They will answer any questions that are on your mind and offer solutions to maximize your chances of a successful outcome. However, there is no pressure to act on any of our advice or switch lawyers if you decide that staying with your lawyer is in your best interest. To schedule a free second opinion with one of our legal experts, contact us today.
Contact us for a Free Case Review
The devastating consequences of child sexual abuse last a lifetime, but there are ways to work through the trauma and move forward with the rest of your life. Counseling from a licensed therapist can be very helpful, and so is legal advice from an attorney that’s experienced in sexual abuse cases against religious organizations. Ultimately, taking legal action against your perpetrator and the school where you were abused is completely up to you. However, it’s impossible to make an informed choice without understanding your legal options, and that’s what we can provide you with here at Normandie Law Firm.
Your case evaluation with one of our attorneys is completely free of charge. If you allow us to represent you in a Jewish school sexual abuse claim, you won’t pay a single penny upfront, as we work under a Zero Fee Guarantee. All legal fees are charged to the parties that have wronged you, so we only get paid by winning your case and recovering your settlement award.
To learn more about your legal rights as a Jewish school sexual assault victim, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Can I Switch my Lawyer if I have an Active MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Case
Should I get a New Lawyer for my MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Case
Kedren Community Health Center Sexual Abuse – How long do I have to Sue?
