Located at 14401 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Camp Erwin Owen is a juvenile detention program that promotes “discipline, a strong work ethic and individual responsibility,” according to the Kern County Probation Department website. Known as an honor and work camp, the facility serves as an alternative to juvenile halls and youth prisons for teenagers 14 to 18 years old.
We support alternatives to the prison model, which is what many youth detention centers are based on. But how well are these programs managed, and what do they do when there is abusive or inappropriate conduct between inmates and staff members? Is there adequate supervision and security, along with punitive measures for those who sexually and physically abuse the inmates? If there are complaints of sexual assault and harassment, is there an immediate investigation and measures to protect the minor?
Sadly, many juvenile justice systems fail in these areas, which is why child sexual abuse is so prevalent at places like Camp Erwin Owen. Along with the abusive adult, we also have to examine what the county knew and what they did with that knowledge in order to keep safeguard the inmates. As a general rule, little to nothing is done, aside from protecting one of their own or finding ways to keep the secret from getting out.
As someone that was sexually abused at Camp Erwin Owen, you may be entitled to compensation from a juvenile camp sexual abuse lawsuit. To learn more about the legal options that are available to you, call us and speak to a Camp Erwin Owen sexual assault lawyer.
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Can I File a Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse at Camp Erwin Owen?
Yes, you can sue for being sexually abused at Camp Erwin Owen and obtain compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other monetary losses. In order to sue the County Probation Department, you must prove that they were negligent in their duty of care to you as a juvenile inmate. This can include a failure to take certain actions or acting with intent to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct.
Juvenile camps in California have a long history of neglect and abuse, ranging from unsanitary conditions to sexually assaulting inmates and keeping them quiet with threats or bribes. This is due to a long-standing culture of looking the other way and allowing child abusers to stay in the system, where they can take advantage of countless teens that are permanently damaged by what they experienced.
It’s a blatant fact that county agencies have not done enough to protect our youth who are in need of structure, guidance, and rehabilitation. It’s time that the people in charge paid for their abuse of power and authority, and we hope you will allow us to join you on the journey to recovery.
Can I Join a Class Action Lawsuit against Camp Erwin Owen for Sexual Abuse?
Yes, you can join a Camp Erwin Owen sexual abuse class action lawsuit by contacting our office and talking to a member of our legal team. You have probably seen a number of these lawsuits in the news, like the class action lawsuit filed by hundreds of inmates who were sexually and physically abused at juvenile halls and camps in Los Angeles County. Frankly, these are powerful cases with high success rates, so it’s not surprising that so many people wish to join a class action lawsuit with others that are suffering from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. To learn more about filing a class action claim for inmate abuse at Camp Erwin Owen, contact our office to schedule a free consultation.
Is there a Deadline to File a Camp Erwin Owen Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Yes, if you were 18 years old when you were abused at Camp Erwin Owen, you must file a lawsuit within 10 years from the last incident of sexual assault or any other kind of sexual interaction. If you were a minor at the time, the statute of limitations to sue Camp Erwin Owen is 22 years from the date of your 18th birthday (or whenever you turn 40 years old).
Please note, however, that California law has a discovery rule that allows child victims 5 years to file a lawsuit from whenever they learn about an injury or illness that’s related to sexual abuse. In general, the discovery rule applies to all kinds of lawsuits for injuries caused by negligence. For example, someone may be injured from slipping on a puddle at a store and hitting their head against the ground. While their cuts and bruises are immediately treated, it takes much longer for them to receive a diagnosis of permanent brain injury.
The same principle can be applied to children that are sexually assaulted, who are diagnosed in their 50s or 60s with psychological disorders resulting from the abuse. These victims should also have the opportunity to seek monetary damages from a lawsuit against Camp Erwin Owen.
Our lawyers are available to answer your questions if you need more information on the deadline to sue for sexual abuse at a juvenile camp, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Amount of Compensation for Camp Erwin Owen Sexual Abuse Victims
Our attorneys typically recover settlements in the range of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for clients who were sexually abused at a government institution. However, there are many factors that are used to determine what a victim is entitled to, so it’s possible for one case to settle for $450,000, while another plaintiff receives close to $10,000,000. If you plan on joining a class action lawsuit, you will receive a portion of the settlement award with many others, which is why juvenile hall abuse class action settlements can easily exceed $300,000,000.
How Long Do these Lawsuits Take to Settle?
In our experience, lawsuits for sexual abuse – particularly when you are suing a government entity – take between 1 and 2 years to settle. You may have come across news stories of settlements that were achieved in a matter of weeks or months, and this is not impossible. But it’s unlikely that a Camp Erwin Owen sexual abuse claim will be resolved in less than 12 months. There are cases that need to be tried in court, which means the process of receiving payment can take over 3 years. But less than 5% of lawsuits handled by our attorneys go to trial, so 12 to 24 months is generally the amount of time that’s required to settle a child sexual abuse lawsuit.
Pay $0 to Hire a Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Our attorneys operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee, which is why we never ask you for the cost of legal fees if you wish to go ahead with a lawsuit. All of our expenses are paid by the other party, which we only receive by winning your case. That means we receive nothing if we don’t bring you compensation from a Camp Erwin Owen sexual abuse lawsuit.
To learn more about the Zero Fee Guarantee and all the other ways we can assist you, contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Tehama County Juvenile Detention Facility Sexual Abuse Attorney
Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility Sexual Abuse Attorney
Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Attorney
