Volleyball is a popular team sport that’s accessible to children as young as 4 or 5 years old, due to the game’s simple rules and minimal equipment. The sport has been a part of the Summer Olympic Games since 1964, and there are many volleyball leagues throughout the country that kids can participate in. While most kids are introduced to volleyball at school, classes and clinics can be found in most areas, which provide intensive training from coaches and instructors.
A volleyball coach can be a source of education, discipline, and inspiration to young athletes. However, some coaches exploit their role in a child’s life for the purpose of sexual gratification. These predators are often coaches, but children can also be harmed by sexual assault from an assistant coach, facility employee, or private instructor.
Were you or your child sexually abused by a volleyball coach, instructor, or another trusted adult? If so, the sexual abuse attorneys of Normandie can help you take legal action against the perpetrator, as well as any other responsible parties. For a free case review with one of our lawyers, please give us a call at our office.
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Sexual Abuse among Young Athletes
Sexual violence is disturbingly common in youth sports like volleyball, due to the unconditional trust and respect child athletes have for their coaches. At a training facility, for example, minors are left with the coach for long periods of time for a variety of purposes. It’s not hard to see how a predatory adult can get the child alone and groom them for the purpose of sexual abuse. These adults include assistant coaches and instructors, who often provide one-on-one training. Aside from the facility, these lessons can take place at alternate locations like schools and the athlete’s home, thereby increasing the perpetrator’s access to their victim.
Acts of sexual assault and abuse involving a young athlete include, but are not limited to:
- Molestation
- Rape / attempted rape
- Child grooming
- Indecent exposure
- Soliciting and exchanging sexually explicit photos / video
- Exchanging sexually inappropriate DMs, instant messages, texts, etc.
- Disseminating sexual content involving a minor
- Threatening or coercing a child into a sexual act
- Flashing your private parts in front of a child
- Masturbating in front of an underage individual
- Trafficking of a minor
In most of these cases, the abuser has gotten away with their actions for many years by the time a victim comes forward. Typically, the facility administrators, other employees, and league / tournament officials were aware of the abuse, but failed to alert the authorities. They may also go to great lengths to cover up reports of sexual abuse, like destroying evidence and silencing victims with bribes or threats.
From our experience with child sex abuse cases, we know the fear, guilt, and shame you may be feeling right now. However, it’s more than likely that there are many other victims who suffered at the hands of your attacker. By coming forward, you will encourage others to tell their story and seek justice through the criminal and civil courts. Please take that first step and contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney at our law firm.
Can I Sue for a Case of Sexual Assault by a Volleyball Coach?
Yes, you can sue for compensation if you were sexually abused at a volleyball class or training center. However, the more important question is determining which parties you can sue. Obviously, you can take legal action against your abuser, but you may also have a case against the training facility. In many of the cases we’ve handled, the facility owner or managers were told about the abuse from the victim, an employee, or the parents of the athlete. In fact, they knew about multiple incidents of sexual abuse, yet they kept the information to themselves. Sometimes, the coaches are moved to another gym or training center, giving them access to a whole new set of victims.
Other parties that may be responsible for your injuries include volleyball league officials, tournament organizers, and governing bodies, like USA Volleyball. Individuals working for and running these organizations are mandatory reporters under California Penal Code Section 11166.5. Essentially, the law requires professionals that work directly with children (teachers, coaches, social workers, etc.) to report any incidents, or suspicion, of child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities. Thus, if a mandated reporter fails to report an incident of child sexual assault, they can be punished by a fine of up to $1000 and a jail sentence of 6 months.
These entities can also be sued by a sexual assault victim for monetary damages, such as medical expenses, cost of mental health services, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Going after all the responsible parties will maximize your success rate and ensure that you are fairly compensated for what you’ve gone through.
Average Value of a Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Lawsuits involving the sexual abuse of minors are some of the most valuable cases in the field of personal injury law. Of course, each victim’s injuries and how they affect their life vary from case to case, but there’s no denying the devastating impact of sexual abuse by a trusted mentor. Settlements for sexual assault claims by a coach or teacher may be worth anywhere from $500,000 to $1.5 million. If the victim’s injuries and the level of negligence by the offending parties are especially severe, the resulting damages may be several million dollars.
A contributing factor in sexual abuse case values is the trebling of damages under California’s Assembly Bill 218. Under this law, survivors of child sexual abuse may be awarded triple the amount of damages if there was “a concerted effort to hide evidence relating to childhood sexual assault.” The Catholic Church’s long history of covering up for sexual abuse by their priest is a famous example of the “concentrated effort” referred to in AB-218. As we mentioned before, volleyball academies, governing bodies, etc., often conceal rape, molestation, and other forms of sex assault by their coaches. If a cover up can be proven in a sex abuse case, it can have a significant impact on the overall settlement value.
Average Length of Time to Settle a Volleyball Coach Sexual Abuse Case
Just like case values, how long it takes to settle a sexual assault claim depends on many factors that are unique to your own situation. Unfortunately, certain issues, like the defendant’s willingness to negotiate a settlement, are beyond our control. We’ve found in recent years that businesses, schools, and other organizations that serve children are more willing to settle due to increasing public awareness of child sexual abuse. As a result, we’ve had cases that were settled in 4 to 8 months. How much compensation a victim deserves is the main issue here, and the bigger the proposed settlement, the longer it will take for both sides to agree on the numbers. Sometimes, the process can take 12 months to a year and a half, and perhaps over two years if court intervention is necessary to recover a client’s payment.
How long do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for adult victims of sexual assault (18 or older) is 10 years, which is quite generous compared to the SOL for sex crimes in most other states. However, that time period is even longer if your last incident of abuse occurred while you were under the age of consent (under 18). As a victim of childhood sexual abuse, you have until the age of 40 to file a lawsuit. Victims who discover the psychological effects of the abuse at a later date have five years from the discovery of injury to take legal action. Please note that the deadline to file your lawsuit depends on whichever date comes later.
AB-218 contains another provision specifically for child sex abuse survivors whose claims had expired under the old laws. These victims can now seek monetary damages, but this window of opportunity expires on December 31, 2022. If you’re wondering about your eligibility for a volleyball coach sexual assault claim, call us right away to speak with one of our legal experts.
Second Opinion from a Lawyer Experienced in Childhood Sex Abuse Claims
Our law firm provides second opinions for sexual assault victims who have questions about their rights and legal options. Sometimes, people come to us for second opinions to verify what they were told by their lawyer. This way, they know that their case is on the right track, and that their attorney is taking the right steps.
However, we also speak with many people who are frustrated by their lawyer’s lack of communication or action on their claim. “Can I switch my lawyer?” is a question that comes up a lot during these meetings. Firing your lawyer may be necessary to ensure a successful outcome in your lawsuit, but it’s important to understand all your legal options before making such a big decision. A second opinion is completely free and just a phone call away, so please take the chance of scheduling a consultation with our attorneys.
Help from a California Sexual Assault Attorney
Victims of sexual assault live with the trauma of their abuse for the rest of their lives. Money can’t take away their pain, but in the end, a lawsuit is about justice and empowerment. In our experience, naming the responsible individuals and making them pay for their actions is one of the most important steps in moving forward for a survivor of sexual abuse.
At our law firm, we treat our clients like family. When you need advice, we will be there with the empathy and guidance you deserve. No matter how long it takes to recover your damages, you can count on us to update you every step of the way. Another part of treating you like family is making sure that you are never worried about the cost of legal fees. Our demands for your settlement include our fee, which means we get paid at the same time you do. If we don’t win your case, there is nothing you need to pay us for our services.
Our attorneys are waiting to advise you, so call us right away to schedule a free case review.
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