If you or a loved one has suffered abuse by a teacher, coach, and/or school staff member, a Los Angeles school sexual abuse lawyer could help you take legal action. Holding perpetrators and academic institutions accountable is crucial to aid your healing and prevent future harm to others.

Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, but at Boren Law, our experienced sex abuse attorney could guide you through each step of the process. We could help you understand your rights, gather critical evidence, and fight for the justice you deserve. Choosing the right legal representation may be critical in reclaiming your voice and holding those responsible accountable.

Understanding School Sexual Abuse Cases

Sexual abuse in schools can take many forms, including inappropriate touching, coercion, exploitation, or online grooming. Schools are legally responsible for protecting students from harm, yet many institutions fail to prevent or adequately address abuse of the minors in their care. When schools neglect their duty to children, survivors may have legal grounds to pursue civil action against individual perpetrators and the institutions that allowed the abuse to occur.

California has some of the strongest survivor-friendly laws in the country. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have until the age of 40, or within five years of discovering the abuse’s psychological impact on their life, to file a lawsuit against the abuser or a negligent institution. If you experienced abuse in a school setting, a knowledgeable attorney in Los Angeles could help you determine your legal options and pursue the accountability you deserve.

Holding Schools Accountable for Negligence

Schools have a duty to implement safeguards to protect students from sexual abuse. When institutions fail to properly vet employees, investigate complaints, or provide adequate supervision, they may be liable for negligence. A sexual abuse lawyer in Los Angeles could investigate whether the school ignored warning signs, failed to report misconduct, or otherwise enabled an abusive environment.

Negligent school districts, private institutions, and even after-school programs may all be liable in civil lawsuits. Pursuing legal action could provide you with a sense of justice and force institutions to change their policies and protect future students from harm.

Civil Lawsuits Versus Criminal Cases

Sexual abuse cases often involve both criminal and civil legal proceedings. A criminal case seeks to punish the perpetrator through imprisonment and other penalties, while a civil lawsuit focuses on securing justice for the survivor through compensation and resultant institutional accountability.

Survivors can still pursue a civil lawsuit even if the perpetrator is never charged or convicted in criminal court. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, making it possible to hold perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable even if law enforcement does not file charges against the perpetrator. A dedicated Los Angeles lawyer could explain these differences and help you decide the best course of action for your school sexual abuse case in civil court.

Call a School Sexual Abuse Attorney in Los Angeles for Justice

Survivors deserve justice, and legal action may provide a path toward healing. A Los Angeles school sexual abuse lawyer could be your advocate, helping you navigate the legal system and hold those responsible accountable. At Boren Law, we fight tirelessly for survivors, ensuring that institutions and perpetrators are held accountable for the harm they have caused.

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in a school setting, do not wait to seek legal guidance. These cases are handled on a contingency basis at our law firm, meaning you pay nothing unless we win or achieve a settlement on your behalf. Contact Boren Law today for a confidential, free consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options.