Huntington Beach Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Huntington Beach Child Sexual Abuse Attorney
Child sexual abuse is a horrifying violation that no family should ever experience. Victims of this abuse deserve safety, support, and justice. An experienced and compassionate Huntington Beach child sexual abuse lawyer from Easton & Easton can guide you and your family through the civil legal process of holding the abuser, as well as any negligent institutions, accountable under California law.
Child sexual abuse can happen in schools, religious organizations, youth-serving institutions, and even in a child’s own home. A civil claim can provide a healing and restorative path for the survivor and their family. Financial recovery is available through the civil justice system, and Easton & Easton can fight for your child.
We take these cases seriously and with great sensitivity. We work discreetly, tenaciously, and with respect for the survivor’s wishes and voice. We seek the truth, your child’s protection, and the recovery your family deserves. You are not alone.
Why Hire a Huntington Beach Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer From Easton & Easton?
At Easton & Easton, we understand the emotional toll child sexual abuse takes on both survivors and their families. With over 100 years of combined legal experience and recognition from Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, our firm has a proven track record of handling these sensitive cases with compassion and strength.
We investigate the abuse and hold the perpetrators accountable, including institutions that may have looked the other way. We seek full financial recovery under California’s child protection statutes. Huntington Beach families count on us to safeguard their children’s future and to fight for justice with dignity, discretion, and determination. When the unthinkable happens, you need seasoned advocates who care.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse and Where It Happens in Huntington Beach
Child sexual abuse is any sexual activity forced upon a minor by an adult or older person. Predators usually employ grooming, force, coercion, or manipulation, rather than violence, to abuse children. Child sexual abuse in Huntington Beach can take place in locations where children are expected to feel safe, such as at schools like Seacliff Elementary, churches, sports teams, daycare facilities, or private homes.
Tragically, the abuser is sometimes a person in a position of trust, such as a teacher, coach, or church leader. These situations can also foster abuse when appropriate supervision is not provided or when complaints of abuse are not taken seriously. It is important for families to understand the various ways that abuse can occur so they can be aware and vigilant, and so they know the law is on their side when organizations fail to protect children.
California experienced 382,145 referrals for child abuse and neglect in 2022, substantiating 50,869 victims (nearly six victims per 1,000 children). California reported 74 total child victims of sex trafficking in 2022.
Civil vs. Criminal Cases
Families who have experienced child sexual abuse in California have both criminal and civil legal options. The state brings criminal cases to hold the abuser accountable, which may result in jail time and/or registration as a sex offender. Civil cases are initiated by the survivor or the family to seek financial compensation for the harm caused.
A civil case can be brought even if criminal charges are not filed or result in an acquittal. The goal of a civil case is to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions, to seek damages for the harm caused, and to provide support for the survivor’s recovery. While both are important, civil claims give survivors a voice and a way to seek redress for the long-term emotional and financial consequences of abuse.
Proving Liability in a Child Sexual Abuse Civil Case
The choice to hire a child sexual abuse lawyer is crucial to proving liability. In order to prevail in a civil case involving child sexual abuse, the survivor’s attorney must demonstrate that abuse took place and that a defendant, such as a person or institution, acted with negligence or breached their duty of care. This may be done with evidence of witness statements, internal reports, expert testimony, and records that show how complaints were disregarded or safety procedures and other safeguards were not followed.
For example, in civil cases against schools, churches, or youth organizations, an institution may be held liable, not just for the acts of the abuser, but for those who covered it up or otherwise enabled it to continue. The standard in California civil cases is the “preponderance of the evidence,” which means it must be more likely than not that the abuse happened. It is important to have an effective legal strategy to help expose the truth and bring about justice.
FAQs
Q: Can I File a Civil Claim for Child Sexual Abuse in California Without a Criminal Conviction?
A: Yes, in California, you can bring a civil action for child sexual abuse even if the defendant was not criminally convicted of the crime. A civil action has a much lower standard of proof than a criminal prosecution, so the burden of proof is much lighter. Instead of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the standard of proof is whether it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred.
Q: What Kind of Evidence Is Used in Child Sexual Abuse Civil Claims?
A: Documents and testimony presented in a civil sexual abuse case against a child may include, for example, witness statements, internal investigation reports, medical and psychological records, e-mails, staff training policies and procedures, and any prior complaints made against the perpetrator.
A trauma professional or forensic psychologist may also provide testimony in the case. The reduced burden of proof required in civil cases makes thorough evidence essential for successfully pursuing and winning such litigation.
Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse Civil Claims in California?
A: In California, a survivor of child sexual abuse may file a civil claim up to age 40 or within five years of the discovery of the abuse, whichever is later. The extended period of time takes into account the common delayed response to trauma. Rules may vary depending on when the abuse took place, so it is important to speak with an experienced Huntington Beach personal injury attorney to find out if your claim is still viable under the law.
Q: Will My Child’s Identity Be Kept Confidential During the Legal Process?
A: Yes, your child’s identity can be protected during a civil case of child sexual abuse. California courts may allow the use of initials, sealed records, and protective orders to maintain confidentiality. Your attorney can request specific legal measures to keep your child’s name out of public records and media reports. These protections are designed to prioritize your child’s emotional well-being and ensure sensitive details remain private throughout the legal process.
Contact a Huntington Beach Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If your child has experienced abuse, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Our Huntington Beach child sexual abuse lawyers are here to protect your child’s rights and pursue justice with care and strength. Contact Easton & Easton for a confidential, compassionate consultation today.
Huntington Beach, CA Child Sexual Abuse Resources
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “From start to finish, Easton & Easton took great care of me. I could not be happier with their level of attention and service. They fought for me and they’ll fight for you. Their knowledge, experience and care is unmatched. Thanks Travis and team!” – Youngha Kim
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“I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Easton and Easton. Brian Easton was my lawyer and did everything he could to make sure I got what I deserved. Brian and Amera were in constant contact with me and made sure I knew what was going on every step of the way. I would highly recommend them.”
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by OC Register Voters as "The Best Law Firm in Orange County” each year since voting began in 2022.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California by the National Trial Lawyers — a membership organization limited to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, Gabe and Mani have each been selected to "Best Lawyers" for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers selects the Top 5% of attorneys based on peer voting and client reviews.
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Travis, Mani, Gabe and Brenda have all been selected among Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars in Southern California.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in America™ through the results achieved for their clients (an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States).
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
We were recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a the #1 Personal Injury Settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt, Travis, Gabe, Mani and Brenda have all been selected at some point as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Easton & Easton was honored for securing a $20,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Easton & Easton was honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018-2020 (each year the voting took place).
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
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“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
“Client testimonials reflect individual experiences; results vary. No guarantee of outcome.”
Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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