Vidal Vargas Morales, a 62-year-old church youth coordinator, was convicted of child sexual abuses on December 12, 2023. The jury convicted Morales of sexual assault against a 15 year old girl, whom he met through catechism classes at a church in Ventura County. He was convicted of 1 count of lewd acts upon a minor for grabbing and fondling the victim in November 2013.
It’s clear that this young lady was targeted and groomed by Morales, who initially communicated with her in a sexually inappropriate manner, both in person and through texts. Though the assault incident occurred in 2013, it was not reported to the police until several years later. However, it was revealed during the trial that Morales had a history of sex abuse allegations from numerous underage members of the church.
These incidents are especially harrowing, considering that the perpetrator “took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense,” according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Considering the number of victims that may be involved, we expect more charges to be filed against Morales, as well as lawsuits for monetary compensation.
Were you or someone you know sexually abused by Vidal Vargas Morales? If so, please take this opportunity to contact us and speak to a lawyer with experience in cases of child sexual assault. Our goal is to educate you on your rights, including the legal options that are available to you as a victim of sexual abuse by a church employee. We are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so please give us a call as soon as possible.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Can I Sue the Church for Sexual Abuse by Vidal Vargas Morales?
Yes, you may have grounds to sue the church that hired your abuser if they engaged in negligence and misconduct. Morales, for example, met his victim in 2013 at a catechism class. And other victims came forward during the trial to say that they were abused by this youth coordinator. So, one has to ask why it took so long for these incidents to be reported to the police. What did church officials do when they received complaints of inappropriate conduct between Morales and underage congregants?
Sadly, many churches fail to call the police, notify the parents, or investigate claims of child abuse. In fact, many of them place their focus on silencing the victim and ensuring that their public image is protected above all else. In the end, the sexual predator is enabled and allowed to continue their crimes, while innocent children are scarred for life.
There are many details we must learn about your case to decide who we can go after in your lawsuit. However, there is no denying that the people in charge of hiring employees at a church have the highest degree of care to protect their congregants from sexual assault and other harmful incidents. Sadly, this is a legal and ethical duty that many houses of worship fail to uphold.
Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Average Case Values
Based on verdicts and settlements in the state of California, the average value of a church sexual abuse lawsuit is around $3,500,000. However, case values may range from $1,000,000 to $10,000,000, depending on the number of incidents, the type of assault against the child, and negligence by church officials.
Cases that generally involve sexual exploitation without physical contact – sexual harassment, sending and receiving sexual content, etc. – may have lower values. Typically, you can receive $750,000 or less for sexual harassment lawsuits, though settlement can be higher if there is a long and incessant history of abuse. If you’d like to learn what you can potentially receive from a church worker sexual abuse lawsuit, contact us today.
Statute of Limitations to File a Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit
There are two guidelines that can be used to determine how long you have to sue for child sexual abuse:
- The victim’s 40th birthday, or 22 years after they are 18 years old
- 5 years from the date of discovering an injury that originated from sexual assault prior to the age of consent (18 years old).
Many victims come forward before they are 40 and file a lawsuit for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other qualifying damages. But some people do not realize the impact of sexual abuse on their health and well-being until they are older than 40. This is typical among adult survivors that suppress memories of being assaulted. Until they seek help from a therapist, most of these people are unable to come to terms with what happened to them as a child.
From the date of discovering the connection between a psychological or physical injury and sexual abuse by Vidal Vargas Morales, you have 5 years to file a lawsuit through the civil courts.
How Long it Takes to Settle a Case for Sexual Abuse of a Minor
Ultimately, it can take 1 to 2 years for a case to settle when there are accusations of child sexual assault. These are probably the most complex cases of personal injury that we deal with, and as a result, it can take over 12 months to settle a lawsuit, especially if the incidents are from 10 or more years ago. Of course, it’s possible for a case to settle in 6 months or less, but the vast majority of lawsuits take over 1 year from start to finish. The process of reaching a settlement is 3 or more years if a trial is necessary to recover your payment.
Generally, cases do not go to trial, as most plaintiffs and defendants are able to agreement on a compensation amount through private negotiations. No matter what, having a skilled sexual assault lawyer by your side is the best way to resolve your case in a timely manner.
Zero Fee Guarantee
The Zero Fee Guarantee is our promise to you that you will never pay out of pocket to hire a sexual assault lawsuit attorney. We work on contingency and charge all legal fees to the party that caused you harm and suffering. Our payment is included in the check you receive at the end of your case; in other words, we only get paid if you get paid.
To learn about your rights and legal options from an experienced child abuse lawsuit attorney, call the offices of DTLA Law Group. One of our legal experts can also provide you with a free second opinion on a case that’s already in progress.
