Los Angeles Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Child Sexual Abuse Attorney In Los Angeles, CA
In the aftermath of child sexual abuse, the idea of accountability can feel out of reach. The civil courts play an important role in creating a path toward justice and compensation for what you or your child has suffered. As you explore your options, having a Los Angeles child sexual abuse lawyer by your side can help you navigate the court process with confidence.
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A Trusted Name for Sexual Abuse Survivors in Los Angeles
If you are preparing to hold your abuser accountable for the harm they caused, finding the right legal representation is a critical first step. At Easton & Easton, we represent child victims of sexual abuse or minors who have aged into adulthood. We understand what it takes to hold abusers accountable while handling our clients with discretion and compassion.
Setting our law firm apart is over 100 years of combined experience that gets results. In the past five years alone, we’ve recovered more than $100,000,000 for our satisfied clients. When going up against an abuser, knowing that you are represented by a strong and fierce injury lawyer can provide assurance and confidence during a challenging time.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse Numbers in Los Angeles
Child sexual abuse remains an alarming issue in Los Angeles County, where both individual and institutional failures have caused lasting harm. In April 2025, the county reached a historic $4 billion settlement to address nearly 7,000 sexual abuse claims tied to its juvenile facilities, marking the largest agreement of its kind in U.S. history.
Nationwide, approximately one in three women and one in six men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives. Over recent years, more than 5,000 adults have come forward alleging abuse during childhood in foster homes, shelters, and youth detention centers across the county.
In 2023 alone, California reported over 8,100 cases of child sexual abuse. With approximately 20% of L.A. County’s population under the age of 18, there is a large population of potential sexual abuse victims.
Am I Eligible to Take Legal Action Against My Abuser?
If you were sexually abused as a child in Los Angeles County, you may be eligible to file a civil claim up to 22 years after you turn 18. California law allows survivors to take legal action well into adulthood, especially if the abuse occurred in settings like group homes, public schools, or juvenile facilities in areas such as East L.A., Compton, or Pasadena.
Under recent extensions to the statute of limitations, many survivors now have until age 40 to file, or even later if they only recently connected the abuse to psychological harm. Survivors may also qualify for a longer filing window if the institution involved tried to cover up the abuse.
In some cases, courts allow claims beyond the standard deadline when new evidence comes to light. These civil claims are separate from any criminal charges and focus on securing justice for the harm you endured.
Why Legal Representation Is Crucial for Success
Sexual abuse cases are emotionally complex and legally challenging, particularly in a vast jurisdiction like Los Angeles County. Whether your case involves a church near Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, a public school in the LAUSD system, or a long-closed youth facility like the old MacLaren Children’s Center in El Monte, you need someone who understands how to navigate the local court system and protect your rights.
A knowledgeable sexual abuse lawyer can prepare you for your case at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown or the Van Nuys Civic Center. They can also gather evidence to support your claim, so that your abuser is held accountable to the fullest extent of civil law.
FAQs About Los Angels Child Sexual Abuse Law
What Is Considered Sexual Abuse in California?
Sexual abuse includes any non-consensual sexual act or behavior. This may involve unwanted touching, forced penetration, coercion, or exposure. California law also classifies abuse of minors or individuals who cannot legally consent as sexual abuse. These actions can form the basis of a civil claim when they result in physical, emotional, or psychological harm to the person who experienced the abuse.
Can You File a Civil Claim After Criminal Charges Have Been Filed in Los Angeles?
Yes. Civil claims and criminal cases are separate legal processes. A civil claim allows the survivor to pursue financial compensation for emotional trauma, therapy costs, and other damages. The outcome of a criminal case does not determine whether a civil claim can be filed. Survivors can hold individuals or institutions financially accountable even if no conviction occurs.
How Long Do You Have to File a Civil Claim for Sexual Abuse in Los Angeles, California?
California allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims until age 40 or within five years of discovering psychological harm. For adult survivors, the general time limit is two years from the date of the abuse. Certain factors may extend these deadlines, including the delayed discovery of trauma or new evidence of negligence by an institution or employer.
Can an Organization Be Held Responsible for Allowing Sexual Abuse in Los Angeles?
Yes. Survivors can bring civil claims against institutions such as schools, churches, or employers when those entities fail to prevent abuse. Common grounds include negligent hiring, improper supervision, or failure to act on known risks. If the organization knew or should have known about potential abuse and did not intervene, it may be held legally and financially responsible.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Sexual Abuse Civil Claim in CA?
The types of compensation available in a sexual abuse civil claim in California may include emotional distress, psychological counseling, medical expenses, lost income, and diminished quality of life. Some claims may also involve punitive damages for egregious misconduct. Settlements vary based in part on whether an individual or institution contributed through negligence.
Compassionate Legal Support for Families in Los Angeles
When a child suffers abuse, the impact is devastating for the victim and their family. If you’re seeking justice for a child harmed in Los Angeles, you need attorneys who are both compassionate and unwavering in their pursuit of accountability.
At Easton & Easton, we bring decades of experience to holding sexual abusers accountable in court. Our team understands the importance of protecting children while helping families secure compensation and closure. Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.
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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 — recognized more than 75 times by TopVerdict.com over the past 5 years — including fifty-eight #1 recognitions, and a recognition that arrives in the firm’s 35th anniversary year.
Easton & Easton holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau — the highest rating available. Trust is earned. We've earned it.
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 was voted #1 in 2026 (People's Choice Award). This recognition means the most to us — because it comes from the community we serve. Voted #1 in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 — four #1 wins, including three years in a row
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — an invitation-only organization recognizing the nation's premier trial attorneys. Selection is based on case results, leadership, and reputation. When you need attorneys who are ready for the courtroom, you want a team that's already proven they belong there.
All five partners of Easton & Easton — Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, and Gabe — were selected to Best Lawyers in America® 2027. This is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Selection is based entirely on peer review, representing the consensus opinion among leading lawyers in the community. When other attorneys are asked who they trust, they name us.
Our $4.5M settlement in Dump Truck Operator v. Equipment Rental Co. has been recognized as #1 in California for 2025 in two categories: • #1 Paraplegia Settlement in California — 2025 • #1 Rollover Accident Settlement in California — 2025
Our $4.5M settlement in Dump Truck Operator v. Equipment Rental Co. has been recognized as #1 in California for 2025 in two categories: • #1 Paraplegia Settlement in California — 2025 • #1 Rollover Accident Settlement in California — 2025
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.
Gabe Mendoza, Alexandro Garza, Billy Seidlitz, and Aaron Sinfield were selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars — honoring the top 2.5% of attorneys 40 or younger in California. Three attorneys — John, Billy, and Aaron — were selected for the first time in 2026. The next generation of Easton & Easton is already among the best in the state.
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, Matt, Travis, and Saul were selected to Super Lawyers — a distinction earned by only 5% of California attorneys. Selection is based on peer nominations, independent research, and professional achievement. Doug Easton has been selected for 19 consecutive years. Matt Easton was also named to the Top 50 Orange County Super Lawyers for 2026. 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.
20+ prestigious awards and recognitions. Exposed to the harshest scrutiny. Earning the highest honors. Recognized by every major legal organization — year after year.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
No purchase was required for selection. Selection methodologies available upon request.
*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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Partner W. Douglas Easton
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