Los Angeles Youth Organization Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Los Angeles Youth Organization Sexual Abuse Attorney

Youth organizations are tasked with protecting, guiding, and supporting children. Tragically, those same spaces can become places where predators take advantage of minors. If your child was sexually abused at a youth organization or you are a survivor who reached adulthood, you can rely on the compassionate and effective services of a Los Angeles youth organization sexual abuse lawyer to help you secure justice and compensation for what you endured.

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Trusted Legal Representation for Survivors of Abuse in Los Angeles

At Easton & Easton, we understand the deep betrayal that occurs when abuse happens within a youth organization. Whether it took place in a local after-school program, a nationally affiliated group like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or through a church-run youth ministry, the trauma can follow survivors for years.

Our sexual abuse attorneys in Los Angeles are here to help you pursue civil justice by holding individuals and institutions accountable for the harm they caused or allowed. Our team of career injury lawyers can investigate organizational negligence, expose systemic failures, and pursue the compensation and accountability that you deserve.

Understanding Sexual Abuse in Los Angeles Youth Organizations

Los Angeles County is home to more than two million minors, with approximately 20.2% of the population under the age of 18. Many participate in youth programs through organizations like the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which enrolled over 408,083 students in 2023–2024, and the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, which serves more than 35,500 girls and 19,000 adult volunteers.

Nationally, over 130 million youths have participated in Scouting America programs since 1910. However, longstanding organizations have also faced serious allegations. In 2022, the Boy Scouts of America approved a $2.6 billion settlement to resolve over 80,000 sexual abuse claims, with many originating from Los Angeles County. Sexual abuse of minors remains an unsettling and ongoing problem in California, which reported 8,135 cases of child sexual abuse in 2023.

Who Is Financially Liable for Sexual Abuse in Youth Organizations?

In Los Angeles, both the individual abuser and the organization they worked for or supervised could be held financially responsible for sexual abuse. Common youth organizations in Los Angeles include churches, scouting groups, sports leagues, and after-school programs.

Groups can be held liable for many reasons. One common reason is failure to perform background checks. If they ignored red flags or failed to investigate complaints, that could also form the basis for legal action. In some of the most egregious cases, youth organizations try to cover up past acts of misconduct. Cover-ups only serve to protect the abuser and the organizer from culpability.

The civil courts at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse or the Spring Street Courthouse in Los Angeles may award compensation to survivors that covers medical expenses, therapy, and other financial costs related to the abuse. In many cases, survivors may be eligible for compensation for non-monetary damages for pain and suffering.

How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Claim?

California law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until age 40 or within five years of discovering the harm caused by past abuse. For individuals who were abused after they turned 18, the limit may be much shorter.

With the passage of Assembly Bill 218, many cases were reopened during a temporary window that ended in 2022. Now, child sexual abuse cases that occurred on or after January 1, 2020, can be brought at any time, with no legal deadline for filing.

Why Having an Attorney Is Critical for Securing Justice and Compensation

Sexual abuse claims against large organizations require careful planning and a strategic approach. By working with an experienced attorney who has handled similar cases and won, you can greatly improve your chances for a successful outcome in court. Having legal representation can also improve the odds that you receive the full scope of damages that you are owed. Legal representation also ensures survivors don’t have to face these powerful entities alone.

FAQs

What Counts as Sexual Abuse in a Youth Organization Setting?

Sexual abuse includes any unwanted or inappropriate sexual contact, comments, or behavior. In youth organizations, this may involve staff, volunteers, or older participants. California law protects minors from abuse by authority figures, even if the conduct seems non-violent. Touching, coercion, exposure, or exploitation all qualify as abuse and may lead to civil claims against both individuals and the organization involved.

Can a Youth Organization Be Held Responsible for Sexual Abuse?

Yes. Organizations may be held liable if they fail to screen staff, ignore warning signs, or do not act on reports of misconduct. Claims may also involve poor supervision, unsafe policies, or lack of training. If the organization allowed known risks to persist or created conditions that enabled abuse, it could be held financially accountable for the harm caused.

What Is the Purpose of the Two-Adult Rule in Youth Programs?

The two-adult rule requires that no child be alone with one adult in a youth organization setting. This rule is designed to prevent situations where abuse could occur unnoticed. While the rule itself is a safety guideline, failure to follow it can support a civil claim if abuse occurs and the organization does not take steps to enforce proper supervision.

What Are California’s Reporting Rules for Suspected Child Abuse?

Under California law, employees and volunteers in youth organizations are often considered mandated reporters. They are legally required to report suspected abuse to law enforcement or child protective services. Failing to do so can result in penalties and civil liability. When an organization fails to act on known or suspected abuse, it may be held responsible for additional harm.

Contact Easton & Easton to Start Your Case

Youth organizations are meant to empower and protect children, not expose them to harm. If you or your child experienced abuse through a church group, scout troop, club, or other organization in Los Angeles, legal action can provide a path for securing justice and preventing future harm.

At Easton & Easton, we represent survivors with the compassion and strength these cases demand. We are committed to holding negligent organizations accountable and helping families move forward. Contact our office today for a confidential consultation.

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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%.

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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.

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Personal Injury Settlements United States 2024

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.

Number 1 Bicycle Accident Settlement Los Angeles 2023

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.

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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.

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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).

Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California 2016

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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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!!
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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.

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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!

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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.
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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.

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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.
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