Were you sexually assaulted or abused as a former patient at Metropolitan State Hospital, also known as DSH Metropolitan? Are you a family member of a psychiatric patient who was sexually abused at this medical center? The sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie are here to advise you of your rights during a free, private consultation.
Founded in 1916, Metropolitan State Hospital is a state-run medical center that specializes in psychiatric care. The hospital does not accept voluntary commitments, meaning that all patients are placed at DSH Metropolitan through a court order. The facility, which is located at 11400 Norwalk Blvd, Norwalk, CA, has been the subject of numerous controversies throughout the years. During the 1970s, Metropolitan State was the subject of “Hurry Tomorrow,” a documentary that accused hospital staff of regularly drugging the patients with sedatives.
Unfortunately, the mentally ill are extremely vulnerable at places that are supposed to provide professional and compassionate care. We have spoken with many former patients, and it’s clear that there is a toxic culture of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at psychiatric hospitals throughout California. The ones who were raped, groomed into a sexual relationship, or subjected to some other form of sex abuse deserve justice from the people that failed to protect them. This is why we would like the opportunity to talk to you about a lawsuit against the State of California. For more information on suing for sexual assault and exploitation at Metropolitan State Hospital, contact our law firm.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$1.9 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Can I Sue if I was Sexually Abused at Metropolitan State Hospital?
Yes, if you were sexually abused while staying at DSH Metropolitan, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the operator of the facility, which is the state of California. In just about every case of sexual abuse at a mental health facility, we find that negligence by hospital administrators and government officials played a direct role. Quite often, there is a lack of staffing and supervision, particularly at night. This is when patients are most likely to be assaulted, either by hospital employees or trespassers that slipped in from lack of security.
Quite a few of these patients are manipulated and slowly groomed into a sexual relationship by predatory clinicians. This is confusing to the patient, as they were not forcibly raped, but it’s important to recognize the betrayal of trust that occurs when a physician uses their position of authority against someone who is mentally ill.
Finally, we need to address the problem of public hospitals that continue to operate for many years, even when it’s clear that there is rampant abuse and neglect at the facility. Basically, administrators are told to clean up their act and “make the problem go away.” But how this is done – or if it gets done at all – is a different matter, and this is where the State often fails in their duty of care to those who are committed to a public psychiatric unit.
Ultimately, our goal is to represent your interests and ensure that you receive a fair amount of compensation based on your harm and suffering. There is also the long-term goal of shutting down hospitals with a consistent record of patient abuse. Victims who come forward and demand justice are the most important step when it comes to accomplishing this goal.
Statute of Limitations to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
A claim for sexual abuse of an adult must be filed no later than 10 years from when the incident occurred. Alternatively, if you were subjected to numerous incidents of exploitation or assault, the 10-year period would start from the most recent incident. This deadline applies to a sexual assault lawsuit against the person that abused you, as well as the facility or state agency for negligence or misconduct.
With sexual abuse cases, you can also base the amount of time for a lawsuit on the discovery rule. Essentially, this refers to the discovery of psychological damage and/or physical abuse caused by sexual assault. For mental health patients, coming to terms with the abuse they endured and realizing the harm they suffered as a result can take many years. With that in mind, the court allows such victims 3 years from the date of discovery if they wish to sue a psychiatric center for sexual abuse on the premises.
Don’t worry if you are uncertain about how long you have for a sexual abuse claim against Metropolitan State Hospital. Simply contact our office to verify the deadline with a psychiatric hospital sexual assault attorney.
Settlement Value of a Metropolitan State Hospital Sex Abuse Claim
Case values for a state hospital sexual assault lawsuit can vary from $450,000 to over $5,000,000. We would say most of the settlements recovered on behalf of our clients are worth $1,500,000 and above if there are one or more incidents of sexual assault. If the case involves sexual harassment and exploitation, like soliciting the patient for sexual favors or coercing them into sending nude pics, the amount of compensation may be under $1,000,000.
Please note that case values are unique to each claimant, and there are many factors that will impact how much you can receive from a lawsuit for sexual abuse of a psychiatric patient. To discuss the potential amount of your settlement with a sexual assault lawsuit attorney, contact us today.
How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?
If we had to make an educated guess, a mental health patient abuse lawsuit will probably take between 1 and 2 years to settle. Now and then, we have cases where a settlement is reached in less than 6 months, but the vast majority of claims against government entities take much longer. So, if you are suing the State of California for sexual abuse at Metropolitan State Hospital, we expect that the settlement process will take at least 1 year, and probably over 2 years depending on the complications that are involved.
One thing to keep in mind is that most of these claims are settled without the need for a trial. If a trial is the only available option, having a jury rule on your case may take over 3 years. However, only around 5% of all lawsuits handled by our attorneys end up in court.
Zero Fee Guarantee from the Lawyers of Normandie
Those who work with psychiatric patients play a vital role in our society, and thankfully, most of these individuals are doing the right thing by the patients and families who depend on them. Sadly, bad actors can infiltrate the system at places like Metropolitan State Hospital and cause permanent damage to those who are already suffering from a mental health issue.
Our sexual assault lawyers are ready to fight for you and recover the funds you are entitled to as a victim of sexual abuse. To ensure that you get the help you need, we won’t ask for a single penny upfront if you are interested in filing a lawsuit. All of our expenses are recovered at the end of your lawsuit, and only if there is a settlement or verdict in your favor. If not, you pay us absolutely nothing, and we eat the costs associated with your case.
Reach out to us today and discover all the ways we can help you here at Normandie Law Firm.
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