Boot camps are often used as a form of fitness regiment, or disciplinary center for juveniles. Boot Camps, by their very nature, are intended to be grueling and physically intense for those who go there, pushing attendees limits of physical and mental endurance. While attendees may sign off certain rights, one right that is still intact is an individual’s sexual agency. When this right is breached, as a result of the malicious misconduct or actions of another at a boot camp, the victim has every right to sue the boot camp or boot camp organizers for compensation for the damages that they have had to endure. When filing a sexual assault lawsuit against a boot camp, it is in your best interest that you seek the representation of an attorney with expertise in cases of this nature. At Normandie Law Firm, on of the top firms in Los Angeles, our skilled lawyers with experience handling boot camp sexual assault claims can guide you through the process of suing a boot camp for their negligent hiring, supervision or actions. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to contact our law offices for a free consultation by one of our top-rated legal associates. An experienced attorney will be available to take your call.
Filing a Lawsuit
Boot camps, therapeutic wilderness camps, and other disciplinary schools for troubled teens are expected to ensure and protect the safety, security, and rights of their attendees. If this degree of protection is failed upon as a result of negligence or misconduct caused by sexual assault, that attendee can file a lawsuit against the boot camp to receive compensation for their damages. However, the process of filing a lawsuit for sexual assault can be somewhat challenging as incidents that occur at these camps often occur far from the public eye, making it difficult to collect adequate evidence for your claim. For instance, if someone committed sexual assault against a juvenile at a boot camp, the likelihood of gathering significant evidence after the event is relatively difficult as unless reported by other boot camp organizers or attendees, awareness of the event may not be made public until long after the sexual abuse took place.
Whenever filing a lawsuit for the sexual abuse or assault of a boot camp organizer, it is vital that you can first and foremost prove that elements of sexual assault were evident in your case. These requirements can include the following:
- The defendant touched the victim’s intimate parts while they were restrained by the defendant or another party. This inappropriate touching can involve direct contact with the victim’s skin or indirect contact through the victim’s clothing.
- The touching was against the victim’s will. The plaintiff must be able to show that the victim did not consent to the inappropriate contact
- The defendant intended to engage in unwanted touching for sexual gratification, arousal, or abuse. You must be able to show that it was the defendant’s purpose to engage in such conduct. However, it is somewhat difficult to establish this was evident, which is why an attorney experienced in this subject matter may better assist you in reaching a positive outcome for your case
Once these elements of sexual assault are proven, it is also helpful to prove the negligence of the boot camp staff. When individuals and juveniles attend boot camp, they are expected to have some degree of protection for their right of safety and security. When an injury or sexual assault occurs as a result of a failure of this duty of protecting the victims can not only sue for sexual assault, but for the negligence of the boot camp staff. Some of the requirements for a successful claim of negligence include the following:
- Duty: The plaintiff (injured or damaged party) must be able to show that the defendant (boot camp or boot camp organizer) owed a legal duty to the plaintiff under the particular circumstances of the case.
- Breach: The plaintiff must be able to show that the defendant breached said legal duty through specific actions or failing to act appropriately
- Causation: The plaintiff must be able to show that the defendant’s actions or lack thereof caused the plaintiff’s injuries
- Damages: The plaintiff must be able to show that they endured some specific damages. This can usually be shown through the presentation of medical records, a loss of wages, or a loss of potential income.
Victims of sexual assault or abuse can file either a civil or criminal suit against the at-fault party or in this instance boot camp. Civil suits are often easier for victims, as they are more likely to reach a positive result for they require a lesser burden of proof. Civil suits, however, don’t end in the defendant facing criminal charges. For many victims of sexual assault, their attacker receiving harsher legal consequences is far more satisfying than receiving proper compensation. In these cases, a victim can file a criminal suit. Criminal suits are often incredibly challenging for sexual assault victims as they require the victims relive the assault as they are required to describe the details of the incident before a jury made of strangers. While these suits tend to end in more suitable forms of punishment for the defendant, they also require a higher burden of proof. Regardless of what suit you decide to pursue it is your best interest to seek legal assistance from an attorney experienced in handling cases of this nature.
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse at a boot camp and you want to file a lawsuit it is in your best interest to retain a lawyer experienced in boot camp accident cases. Having an expert attorney who has experience in sexual harassment cases on your side can mean the difference between filing a successful claim for compensation and having your sexual assault case dismissed from court entirely.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is considered to be the unwanted sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the victim. Sexual assault can occur in numerous forms that all inflict long-term damages on an individual. Sexual assault can occur in the following forms:
- Attempted rape
- Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
- Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the victim’s body
- Penetration of the victim’s body, also regarded as rape
One of the most damaging forms of sexual assault that can be inflicted upon someone is rape. Rape involves sexual penetration without the consent of the victim. In most rape cases, force is used to get the victim to comply to their sexual advances, inflicting a broad range of injuries upon a victim. This does not always involve physical force, as emotional coercion, psychological force, or manipulation can also be used to coerce a victim into sexual acts. Rape can leave victims with some truly damaging injuries that may require a qualified rape attorney to represent you in court properly. Some of the damages from rape and other forms of sexual assault include:
Sexual assault can leave victims with truly devastating emotional and physical damages that a victim could carry with them for a lifetime. Some of these damages include:
- Depression:
- Flashbacks
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Self-Harm
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Eating Disorders
- Dissociation
- Sleep Disorders
These damages can be prevalent throughout a victim’s lifetime and may require extensive and regular medical treatment and therapy to keep them somewhat capable on a day-to-day basis. This treatment can result in further financial damages that can dramatically hinder any hope of reaching an overall full recovery for a victim. For this reason, victims who have experienced sexual assault at a boot camp or anywhere else for that matter should seek representation from an accomplished attorney with expertise in boot camp injury lawsuits to help them receive a positive outcome for their lawsuit.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse at a boot camp, you may be eligible for significant monetary compensation. Clients who file a claim with our law firm can expect to find some, if not all, of the following damages compensable to them:
- Past & Future Medical Expenses
- Loss of Wages
- Potential Loss of Future Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
- Punitive Damages
At Normandie Law Firm, qualified top Los Angeles attorneys with experience in boot camp sexual harassment cases can assist you in reaching a positive outcome for your lawsuit and earning the compensation that you deserve for your damages. While we are based in Los Angeles, our experienced lawyers also practice in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento and throughout the state of California.
Free Second Opinions
Some attorneys are lazy, and will sign you up to their firm but will disappear once your name is on the paper as they are busy signing up more cases. In these instances, their business is based more on volume and will attempt to sign up as many cases as possible. In turn, they will spend less time on cases resulting in severely reduced settlements. Our firm will not treat you like a number. We will be in communication with you throughout our lawsuit and will treat you like family. So if you already have an attorney don’t worry, we’ll give you a second review of your case 100% free of charge.
Zero Fee Guarantee-No Upfront Fees Ever
If you contact our law offices today, we can walk you through the complicated process of filing your claim completely free of charge. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Please, feel free to give our experienced lawyers a call, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
