Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Attorney
Survivors of sexual abuse often carry deep emotional wounds long after the physical harm fades. Whether your abuse occurred recently or years ago, holding your abuser accountable in court can help you in your healing journey and potentially prevent the sexual predator from harming more people. A Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer can listen to your story and explain your options so you know that you do not have to pursue justice alone.
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The decision to come forward with your story takes courage, and an L.A. sexual assault attorney can be an important ally in the pursuit of justice. California’s sexual assault survivor laws allow victims to come forward years after their initial attack. With legal guidance, you can secure the accountability and justice you deserve.
Unwavering Representation When It Matters Most
Nothing can undo the physical and emotional harm caused by sexual abuse or assault, but pursuing a civil case against the perpetrator can provide a measure of justice and accountability. For decades, survivors have known where to turn when they needed trusted and compassionate legal representation following an unimaginable attack.
Easton & Easton provides strategic legal representation that holds perpetrators financially accountable for the harm they caused their victims. We understand the state’s sexual abuse laws and how to maximize the compensation you are owed. If needed, we can take the case to court, where a jury or judge can determine what you are owed for the pain and suffering you endured.
Understanding Sexual Assault in Los Angeles County
Sexual abuse is a serious and ongoing problem in Los Angeles County. In April 2025, the county reached a record-setting $4 billion settlement to resolve nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse tied to county juvenile facilities. This represents the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history.
More than 5,000 adults have also come forward with allegations of childhood sexual abuse in local foster homes and probation-run camps and halls. In 2023, California documented 8,135 cases of child sexual abuse. These alarming numbers represent a portion of the broader crisis. Nationally, nearly one in three women and one in six men report experiencing sexual violence.
The Lasting Impact of Sexual Abuse and Assault
Sexual abuse can leave emotional wounds that never heal. Survivors often face a lifetime of emotional distress, anxiety, shame, and relationship challenges. Friends and family members may not see the visible signs of abuse, even as every part of the survivor’s well-being is affected.
Child abuse often happens in environments where the survivors should have been safe, such as a school or a foster home. The trauma of sexual abuse can leave victims with poor self-images and low self-esteem. Healing is not linear for people who were sexually abused or assaulted. The trauma may never recede on its own without help from a therapist or another mental health practitioner.
Your Right to Seek Justice Through Civil Litigation
Civil litigation offers survivors a path to justice that does not rely on the criminal justice system, although both systems of justice can run concurrently. If you were sexually abused, you have the right to hire an attorney to pursue justice through the civil courts.
Taking action through the civil courts is about more than money. It is about accountability and restoring your voice. Even if the abuse happened years ago, the law may still allow you to take action. This process can help shift the burden away from silence and place responsibility where it belongs. Working with an attorney who understands the emotional weight of these cases is essential.
You need someone who can guide you through every step without pressure, judgment, or shame. The decision to come forward is yours and yours alone. Should you choose to act, your legal team can be ready to protect your privacy and stand beside you throughout the journey.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Sexual Abuse Case?
In Los Angeles County, civil sexual abuse cases often involve more than just the individual who caused the harm. Claims can name public school districts like LAUSD, group homes in areas like South L.A., or private institutions located throughout the San Fernando Valley. These cases may involve failures by administrators, youth leaders, or supervisors who ignored red flags or covered up past misconduct.
Religious institutions in neighborhoods like Koreatown and Boyle Heights have faced scrutiny for failing to protect minors from repeated abuse. Filing a civil claim allows survivors to hold all the responsible parties accountable for the harm someone suffered from a sexual abuser. Whether the incident involves one responsible party or multiple individuals, survivors have the right under state law to demand accountability and pursue compensation for the harm they suffered.
Common Types of Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle:
What Compensation Can You Recover as a Survivor?
A civil claim can help you recover compensation for therapy costs at Cedars-Sinai in Beverly Grove, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Culver City, or the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills. If the abuse impacted your ability to work or attend school, your claim could include lost wages or compensation for career setbacks.
Compensation is divided into two groups: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are easily measurable and include things like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages can play a significant role in your claim and include compensation for the emotional harm you suffered.
If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury may award punitive damages on top of economic or non-economic damages. Compensation can support healing and recovery by giving you access to mental health services, time away from work, or a chance to reset your life.
How a Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Working with a lawyer in Los Angeles County allows you to partner with someone who has your interests at heart and understands the county’s justice system. Your lawyer can represent you in court and protect your identity through the early phases of the civil claim process. Sexual assault lawyers bring years of experience helping clients gather the evidence they need to prove that the defendant sexually abused or assaulted them.
If your case involves a large institution or group that covered up the assault, having legal representation can ensure that those groups are also held accountable for their role in your case.
Lawyers can also provide support and encouragement during a difficult time in your life. Securing a settlement or favorable trial verdict can help you heal and put a dark chapter behind you.
FAQs
How Long Do You Have to Report Sexual Abuse in California?
Civil claims for childhood sexual abuse can be filed until age 40 or within five years of discovering emotional or psychological harm. For adult-on-adult sexual assault, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the incident. Criminal charges vary by offense and may have no statute of limitations if supported by DNA evidence or reported within certain timeframes.
What Legal Options Exist for Sexual Assault Survivors in Los Angeles?
Survivors may pursue civil claims for damages, including emotional distress, medical expenses, lost income, and therapy costs. Civil cases are separate from criminal prosecutions and do not require a conviction. Some survivors file both. California also allows claims against institutions for negligent hiring, supervision, or failure to prevent abuse, depending on the circumstances and supporting evidence.
What Are the Stages of Recovery After Sexual Abuse?
Common stages include crisis response, denial, recognition, processing trauma, rebuilding safety, and integration. These stages are not linear and vary by individual. Recovery may involve counseling, support groups, medical care, and establishing safe environments. Some survivors also find healing through education, advocacy, or taking legal action, but recovery does not require any specific step or timeline to be valid.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault in California?
For civil cases, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can sue until age 40 or within five years of discovering harm. Adult survivors generally have two years to file. Criminal deadlines differ by offense and may be extended or eliminated in cases involving minors, recent discoveries, DNA evidence, or serious felony charges like rape or aggravated sexual assault.
Can an Organization Be Held Responsible for Allowing Sexual Abuse?
Yes. California law allows survivors to file civil claims against institutions such as schools, churches, or employers that failed to prevent abuse. This includes cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or failure to act on credible reports. Organizations may be held financially liable if they knew, or reasonably should have known, that abuse was likely and failed to take protective action.
Trusted Legal Guidance for Survivors in Los Angeles
It takes courage to speak out about sexual abuse, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. If you or someone you love has experienced abuse in Los Angeles, you deserve experienced, compassionate attorneys who will treat your case with the care and strength it requires.
At Easton & Easton, our team of personal injury attorneys brings decades of experience to every case, always putting the survivor’s needs first. We’re here to listen and to help you pursue the accountability and compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Your Story Is Important To Us.
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Easton & Easton has been recognized by TopVerdict.com Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement in Los Angeles for 2025, for the case Bicyclist v. Inattentive Driver — the fifth time the firm has appeared on a TopVerdict list across nine years, and a recognition that arrives in the firm’s 35th anniversary year.
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.
Easton & Easton was named a Tier 1 firm in Southern California by U.S. News & World Report — the highest ranking a law firm can achieve. Selection is based on client feedback, peer reputation, and professional excellence. When independent evaluators rank the best, we're at the top.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza, Brenda Kocaj, and Alexandro Garza were selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars — honoring the top 2.5% of attorneys 40 or younger in California.
Easton & Easton was voted "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" by readers of the Los Angeles Times in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Three years in a row — chosen by the people we serve
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton were once again selected to Super Lawyers — a distinction earned by only 5% of California attorneys. Selection is based on peer nominations, independent research, and professional achievement. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring attorneys in the top 5%.
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 exceptional client satisfaction reviews.Our clients don't just hire us — they recommend us.
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 are lifetime members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. attorneys. Membership requires securing a verdict or settlement of $2 million or more. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring proven results - because Results Matter.
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, based on the legal profession's oldest peer review rating system — dating back to 1887. When your peers have trusted your ability and integrity for over three decades, that says everything.
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 proven track record of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board. Membership isn't given — it's earned in the courtroom.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza, and Brenda Kocaj were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 — an invitation-only honor recognizing the nation's top young trial attorneys. At Easton & Easton, experience and ambition work side by side.
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 skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews. A perfect score. No room for higher.
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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