Laguna Beach Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Laguna Beach Child Sexual Abuse Attorney
Child sexual abuse concerns can raise a host of questions for a family. Fear, uncertainty, and the desire to do what is best for the child can leave parents and guardians scrambling for guidance. A Laguna Beach child sexual abuse lawyer can explain whether a civil legal action might be possible under California law. Child sexual abuse civil cases can center on liability, and the potential long-term consequences abuse can cause for a child.
An attorney may be able to help families learn about their options with an emphasis on discretion, care, and the child’s best interests.
Hire a Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Easton & Easton attorneys represent survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their families in Orange County, California, on civil claims. We have worked with abuse claims involving minors and understand the substantive and procedural rules that govern these cases.
Our attorneys take care to investigate each matter’s unique facts, understand the elements of the relevant California laws, and protect their clients’ privacy rights. Each client is assigned an attorney who is known for being thorough and direct in their communications.
The Process for Civil Claims Involving Child Sexual Abuse in Laguna Beach, CA
Civil child sexual abuse claims in Laguna Beach are separate from criminal investigations and focus on financial responsibility, rather than criminal penalties. These cases can be filed in the Orange County Superior Court or other California trial court with jurisdiction over the location where the abuse occurred and the involved parties. Financial recovery can be sought through civil claims for the cost of therapy and medical treatment, disruption of schooling, and long-term emotional distress.
A civil case can be brought even if the alleged abuser was never criminally charged, and even if the criminal case was not successful. An experienced personal injury attorney can help with the filing requirements, applicable deadlines, and how California law applies to your child’s sexual abuse claim.
Institutions and Individuals That May Face Civil Liability
In some child sexual abuse civil cases, liability may be assigned to additional parties other than the person who directly committed the abuse. Schools, day care centers, youth groups, religious organizations, medical offices, and other institutions can be sued for child sexual abuse when they did not take reasonable steps to prevent abuse against children in their care.
These claims may involve the lack of supervision, inadequate hiring practices, dismissal of complaints, or failure to act when risks were known.
California law provides an opportunity for families to seek civil redress when an organization’s actions or inactions facilitated the abuse or allowed it to continue. Determining all parties who may share in the legal responsibility is an important aspect of a civil case and can impact the overall recovery amount.
The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in Reported Maltreatment Cases
Child sexual abuse can happen in any setting, and in many cases it takes place in or emanates from a setting in which a child should be safest. The US Department of Health and Human Services, in its federal fiscal year 2023 child abuse and maltreatment statistics it published, reported that 89% of substantiated victims of child maltreatment were maltreated by a parent or parents.
Abuse or maltreatment can happen in settings of trust or dependency, rather than at the hands of isolated or unknown individuals. Sexual abuse that occurs in a household or caregiving environment can also leave a family exposed to civil claims not just for the acts of the offending individual but for the failure of others to protect, to act on, or to report concerns.
What Families Can Expect During a Child Sexual Abuse Claim
A child sexual abuse civil claim can begin with a case review to determine whether legal action is a viable option. Attorneys may gather records, review any prior investigations, and determine whether more than one party is responsible. After a claim is filed, a case may go through an information exchange process, witness interviews, and motion practice.
Many civil cases end in a settlement agreement between the parties, but a trial may occur if an outcome cannot be reached. A family can expect legal counsel to explain the procedural steps and privacy considerations, along with how the case may progress. The process for civil litigation seeks to provide legal accountability for the harm suffered, while also taking steps to protect the child and family from unnecessary stress.
FAQs
How Common Is Child Sexual Abuse in the United States?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around one in four girls and one in 20 boys experience sexual abuse at some point during childhood. These are reported experiences, and many cases involve delayed reporting for a number of reasons. That is part of the reason California law allows a longer period of time for certain childhood sexual abuse claims.
Is Child Sexual Abuse Often Reported Right Away?
It is not uncommon for victims of child sexual abuse to not report abuse until they are adults, or in some cases, to never report it at all. As stated, a number of factors contribute to victims not reporting abuse until later in life, including fear, manipulation, confusion, and dependency on the abuser. These are real issues that the civil law takes into account and that allow some survivors to bring a claim years after the fact.
Can Parents or Guardians Bring a Claim on a Child’s Behalf?
Typically, a parent or legal guardian can file a civil claim on behalf of a minor child who has been sexually abused. The claim could cover a number of areas, including therapy costs, impact on education, and long-term emotional harm. Civil Procedure § 340.1 contains rules about who can file a claim and the applicable filing period, which varies based on the age of the minor child and the facts of the case.
Will a Child Have to Testify in a Civil Sexual Abuse Case?
A child may or may not have to testify in a civil sexual abuse case, depending on the facts and resolution of the case. Many civil child sexual abuse claims settle before going to trial, which can minimize or eliminate the need for testimony.
There are also special accommodations for testimony or protective orders that the court may put in place when minors are involved. An attorney can explain potential scenarios and what California courts will allow.
Contact a Laguna Beach Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Parents in Laguna Beach whose children have been sexually abused may have civil legal remedies under California law. At Easton & Easton, we provide confidential case evaluations at no cost to you. Book a consultation today to hire a child sexual abuse lawyer.
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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 and Gabe 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, 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 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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