Newport Beach Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Newport Beach Child Sexual Abuse Attorney
If your child has been sexually abused, an experienced Newport Beach child sexual abuse lawyer can help you protect their future and seek accountability from those responsible. Child sexual abuse cases are personal, emotional, and legally complex. Families in these situations need compassionate counsel, discretion, and fierce advocacy during one of the hardest times of their lives.
About Easton & Easton
Easton & Easton is a family law practice with deep Orange County roots and a long history of representing victims. We regularly litigate cases in the Orange County Superior Court and Newport Beach Justice Complex, and in Southern California more broadly. Our trial attorneys bring over 100 years of combined litigation experience to each case, and are known for our honesty, skill at trial, and commitment to justice.
We review every potential case thoroughly, and when we identify an opportunity to hold a child’s rights to safety and privacy accountable, we do so with compassion, discretion, and tenacity on behalf of the families we represent.
Child Sexual Abuse Laws in California
California has some of the strictest child protection laws in the nation. In general, child sexual abuse can include any form of sexual conduct, molestation, exploitation, or sexual contact by an adult or older child with a minor. These are crimes, but they also create legal responsibility under California civil law.
California has recently expanded the rights of survivors of child sexual abuse. The California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.1 provides extended limitation periods for survivors to bring civil claims, taking into account that many victims do not have the ability to seek justice until they become adults. In addition to the abuser, claims can also be brought against organizations or institutions that had a duty to protect the child.
A Newport Beach child sexual abuse attorney can help families understand the law and how it applies to them, and whether a civil claim is still an option.
Common Types of Child Sexual Abuse Cases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, at least one in four girls and one in 20 boys are sexually abused as children. Approximately 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child or their family members know and trust. These can include cases of sexual abuse that happen in schools, places of worship, youth sports programs, daycare facilities, medical facilities, or in extended family settings.
Abuse may also happen over time, through grooming, so it is not always immediately apparent. Signs of abuse may be less visible if a child feels manipulated, afraid, or is being coerced into silence. Civil claims reveal systemic abuse patterns and organizational breakdowns that enabled the abuse.
Liability in a Child Sexual Abuse Case
Civil responsibility for child sexual abuse usually goes beyond the individual abuser. In many situations, additional possible defendants can include:
- The individual perpetrator of the abuse
- Schools, school districts, or educators who did not report or prevent abuse
- Places of worship or youth organizations that failed to follow up on warning signs
- Daycare providers, camps, or youth sports programs with inadequate supervision
- Employers who did not properly screen or supervise employees
California law also allows for responsibility against institutions that knew or should have known about a risk of abuse and did not take reasonable steps to protect children.
Available Damages in a Child Sexual Abuse Claim
A successful child sexual abuse claim can result in compensation for your child, which is intended to help with their healing and future well-being. The expenses covered by such actions may include therapy and counseling fees, along with medical costs that might be needed in the future, and damages for emotional suffering and loss of quality of life. Punitive damages may also be available in cases of particularly egregious conduct.
Civil claims are not about assigning a monetary value to abuse. They are a way to hold people and organizations responsible for their actions and to provide families with the resources to care for their children.
FAQs
What Legal Options Are Available for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Newport Beach?
In Newport Beach, California, survivors of child sexual abuse can file civil claims against their abusers and often against organizations that enabled the abuse. These legal actions aim to obtain monetary damages for emotional suffering, therapy expenses, and long-term consequences. Survivors have the option to file civil cases separately from criminal prosecution to seek accountability and safety reforms while supporting their recovery process.
How Long Do Survivors Have to File a Civil Claim for Child Sexual Abuse in California?
California law gives survivors of child sexual abuse more time to file civil claims. The law understands that many victims do not feel ready to confront their abusers until well into adulthood. A survivor’s age and the discovery date of the abuse both influence the statute of limitations. An attorney can help you determine if your legal claim remains within the allowable deadline.
What Evidence Can Help Support a Child Sexual Abuse Case?
The evidence in a child sexual abuse case can take the form of medical or therapy records, witness statements, school or institutional records, previous complaints made about the abuser, and professional testimony. A survivor’s own testimony is also evidence. Oftentimes, there is no physical evidence in these cases, and liability is established through patterns of conduct and supporting records in a civil case.
How Can a Newport Beach Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Assist Survivors and Their Families?
A Newport Beach child sexual abuse lawyer can explain your legal rights, assess potential claims, and guide you through the process with compassion and discretion. An attorney can investigate the evidence and identify liable parties before working with professionals to seek compensation while maintaining a focus on the child’s privacy and emotional recovery.
Hire a Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If your child suffered sexual abuse at the hands of another party, legal assistance is available for you when you hire a child sexual abuse lawyer. Easton & Easton can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today to get started.
Newport Beach, CA Child Sexual Abuse Resources
Your Story Is Important To Us.
CALL US SO WE CAN HEAR IT.
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.
No purchase was required for selection. Selection methodologies available upon request.
“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!
Contact
Contact
ES